Feng Yi felt a pang of guilt. Seeing her like this made it even harder to apologize.

He told Qiao Li to wait for him in the shade and ran to the souvenir shop, returning with a t-shirt which he spread on a bench for her to sit on.

As she started to refuse, he hurried off again to buy her a large iced drink.

Sweaty, he stood beside her. "Rest for a bit."

He then noticed her ever-present high heels. "Do your feet hurt? Are you tired?"

Qiao Li sighed inwardly and shook her head. "No."

She hadn't worn flats in years. Heels elongated her legs, and the right height accentuated the smooth lines of her calf muscles, ensuring her legs looked long and elegant.

Feng Yi's eyes caught sight of a girl wearing Donald Duck slippers. He pointed them out to Qiao Li. "Should I get you a pair of those?"

Qiao Li refused immediately. "No need."

"But you'll get tired. We're going to be here until the fireworks tonight."

He saw the two girls walking away. Without waiting for Qiao Li's reply, he dashed off to ask them where they had bought the slippers.

Qiao Li sat on the bench, watching the passing crowd. Most were dressed in cute outfits, wearing ear headbands, holding sweet treats and drinks, their faces lit up with carefree smiles, blending seamlessly with the dreamy, fairytale atmosphere. Her own attire was no different from usual, appropriate for any occasion, except this one.

She felt utterly out of place.

Amidst the sea of people, holding her untouched sweet drink, she suddenly spotted a familiar face.

Her elegant appearance was hard to miss, and Zhou Zhe noticed her immediately.

Before he could reach her, Qiao Li spoke, hoping to appear more composed. "What are you doing here?"

Zhou Zhe gestured towards a nearby queue. "I'm here with her."

Qiao Li followed his gaze and saw Feng Sisi excitedly waiting to take a picture with a cartoon character she couldn't name.

"Aren't you going to wait in line with her?"

Zhou Zhe chuckled. "No need." He casually rolled up his shirt sleeves.

Qiao Li glanced at his equally out-of-place attire. "Just finished meeting a client?"

"Yes, that troublesome client from the law firm." He easily slipped into a conversation about work.

Qiao Li didn't respond.

He didn't seem to mind and, in turn, observed her outfit, teasing her as he would a friend. "You're dressed like that at an amus3ment park?"

She felt a flicker of annoyance, irritated by his familiar tone.

At least she wouldn't embarrass herself in front of him in this outfit. She maintained her perfectly poised smile.

She turned her head. "Go keep your girlfriend company."

A flash of impatience crossed Zhou Zhe's face. He wanted to continue their conversation. "Are you still angry?"

"Don't flatter yourself."

He shrugged. "Good."

He offered her a bottle of mineral water. Qiao Li was taken aback.

"You're not actually going to drink that sugary stuff, are you?" He knew she'd been avoiding sugar since they were together seven years ago.

Qiao Li felt her anger rising, the reason strangely specific. Maintaining her perfectly angled smile, she said, "Of course."

She lifted the sweet drink and took a sip. The unfamiliar, intense sweetness exploded in her mouth; she hated it.

Before Zhou Zhe could speak again, Feng Yi arrived, carrying the bag with the Donald Duck slippers.

Naturally, he saw Zhou Zhe sitting next to Qiao Li.

Zhou Zhe, in his shirt and suit, exuded an air of effortless charm. Years of habit had molded his relaxed expression into one of gentle affability.

Beside him, Qiao Li, elegant and poised, was impeccable from head to toe. Even seated, she maintained perfect posture, legs gracefully crossed, shoulders back and down, a picture of effortless grace.

Both of them used their composed, elegant exteriors to mask the sharp, powerful personalities beneath. Feng Yi only needed a glance to understand; together, they were an unstoppable force.

Suddenly, the sun felt blindingly bright.