Qiao Li impatiently interrupted the man in front of her. "I asked for a reason for this breakup."

Zhou Zhe awkwardly forced a smile. "What I'm trying to say is, the problem isn't with you, it's with me."

Nonsense.

If Zhou Zhe dared to blame the breakup on her, she would definitely throw the iced Americano in her hand in his face.

She struggled to control her expression, feigning a playful tone. "So, have you found your next conquest?"

Seeing her "magnanimous" appearance, Zhou Zhe breathed a sigh of relief, his smile becoming a little more genuine. 

"Yes, you've met her. It's Feng Sisi, the receptionist."

"Is she very pretty?"

"No, not as pretty as you. How could anyone be as pretty as you?" Zhou Zhe's gaze lingered on her face, finally showing a hint of the sadness that should accompany a breakup.

Qiao Li truly was beautiful. Her dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders, her skin was fair, and her beautiful eyes were slightly downcast. Her features held both the girlish charm of youth and the alluring maturity of a woman, a captivating blend that was fatally attractive to men, yet also put immense pressure on him. There were always men coveting her beauty.

"Is her personality very good?" Qiao Li continued to guess at the reason.

Zhou Zhe nodded. "It's alright. She's very soft and delicate, likes to depend on me, not like you." 

Qiao Li was too strong, didn't like to act cute, and wouldn't rely on him. She handled everything herself, never showing a vulnerable side, making him feel like he had a business partner, not a girlfriend.

Qiao Li understood the implication.

He had complained countless times about her strength, hoping she would soften up, but she couldn't.

"So, you've fallen out of love, and therefore, you're breaking up with me?" She looked directly at Zhou Zhe.

Under her gaze, Zhou Zhe felt the pressure mount.

She was always like this, always making him feel pressured, feeling unworthy of her.  He answered without hesitation, "Yes."

Zhou Zhe's righteous and dignified demeanor was comical, but Qiao Li couldn't laugh at all. Bitterly, she said, "Fine."

Any further conversation would only strip her of her dignity.

She stood up and left. Zhou Zhe called out behind her, "Qiao Li, let's end this amicably. We can still be friends, right?"

Qiao Li didn't answer, leaving without looking back.

Amicable ending, my foot. She wanted to strangle Zhou Zhe, slap him hard across the face.

She reached the company parking lot and only then remembered that she had dressed formally to meet a client today. She couldn't drive in her heels. Normally, she could ask Zhou Zhe to give her a ride, but now she had to take the subway home.

Rush hour was almost over, and the crowds were thinning. Qiao Li went to the restroom and used portable makeup remover wipes to take off her exquisite eye makeup. Finally, she had a good cry. Afterward, she splashed cold water on her eyes.  Leaving the restroom, there was no trace of the tearful mess she had been moments before.

The subway wasn't too crowded. Qiao Li found a spot with plenty of space and stood there.

The next stop arrived, people getting on and off. Amidst the bustling crowd, a wave of heat pressed against her back.

Uncomfortable, she took a step forward and glanced down behind her, spotting a pair of dust-covered leather shoes.

The subway doors closed, and with the inertia of the train's movement, the person stumbled towards her.

She frowned, squeezed to the side, and changed positions.

A few seconds later, the person actually followed her.