Elena gripped her hands and curled her lips: "People change, Mr. Liam."

She had said the exact same thing to him when they broke up seven years ago.

They stared at each other, trapped in a heavy, suffocating silence.

Liam’s hand pressed harder against her shoulder. Just as she was about to cry out in pain, his phone rang.

He shoved her aside, turned his back, and answered.

Elena heard him say: "I’m coming down now. Wait for me there."

In his tone, she caught a sliver of gentleness.

After hanging up, Liam didn't look at her again and turned to leave.

Driven by a compulsion she couldn't explain, Elena followed him.

A limited-edition Porsche was parked at the hotel entrance.

Elena watched, unable to look away, as Vivian stepped out of the car, threw herself into Liam’s arms, and kissed his cheek.

Sometimes, people are incredibly cruel to themselves, insisting on tearing things apart just to see them clearly.

And the truth is the most wounding thing in the world.

Chapter 3: The Person from That Year

The blood drained completely from Elena’s face.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a man’s voice, filled with pleasant surprise, suddenly rang out: "Elena?"

Elena turned at the sound, looking a bit dazed as she took in the person before her.

Julian, however, was unable to hide his excitement. As he drew closer, a trace of a young man’s awkwardness appeared on his handsome face.

"It’s... it’s me, Julian. Do you, do you still remember me?"

The distinct name awakened Elena’s memory.

"It’s you?" she said in surprise.

She remembered him now. After all, when someone spent three years of high school at the very bottom of the grade rankings, forever gazing from afar at the top student, it was hard not to remember them.

Elena collected herself and offered a light smile. "Long time no see, Julian."

"It has been a long time. Haven't seen you since graduation." Julian nodded, his gaze remaining fixed on her.

He asked with a hint of urgency, "Could we... could we exchange contact information?"

Elena found it a bit strange, but she took out her phone anyway.

Beside the car.

Liam watched the interaction between the two at the doorway from the corner of his eye, his gaze darkening.

Vivian asked softly, "Liam, what are you looking at?"

Liam snapped out of it and replied coolly, "Nothing."

With that, he got into the car.

The next day.

Elena had just arrived at the office when she found a box of stomach medicine on her desk.

She paused, and her heart felt instantly hollow.

...In the past twenty-eight years, the only person who had ever bought her stomach medicine was Liam.

She pursed her lips and walked out the door, only to run into Zhu, the administrative assistant, who was carrying several boxes of the same medicine.

Elena blinked and asked softly, "This medicine?"

"Weren't you all out drinking yesterday? So, I bought medicine for all the senior staff."

Zhu smiled and headed toward the CEO's office.

Elena lowered her eyes, unable to help a self-deprecating smile.

Inside the CEO's office.

Zhu handed the medicine to Liam and asked, "Mr. Liam, do you really not need me to send some to Manager Vivian?"

Liam looked up and scanned her, and Zhu immediately lowered her head. "Okay, I understand."

In the afternoon, Elena brought the export budget report to Liam.

This was the largest European export deal for the company this year, so she placed great importance on it.

Liam flipped through the report casually, a hint of a curve appearing on his lips. "As expected of the top student from the Foreign Trade Department at Jingnan..."

As he spoke, Elena saw her own personnel file pressed under his hand, and her heart tightened inexplicably.

Liam’s voice continued in her ear.

"It only took seven years to go from a junior clerk to an executive at the parent company. A million-dollar salary—you’ve certainly achieved your dream."

Elena heard the sarcasm in his tone and looked down. "If there are no other issues, I’ll head out now, Mr. Liam."

Just as she was about to leave, Liam said, "There are."

After opening the report to check it, he tossed it aside. "I think the return on investment is too low. Redo the quote for me."

A surge of anger flared up, but Elena suppressed it quickly.

She replied with the same monotone, "Understood, Mr. Liam."

Without looking at him, she picked up the report and walked out of the office.

The moment the door closed, Liam slammed his pen onto the floor, his face cold.

To recalculate the budget, Elena worked overtime until nine o'clock, and the light in Liam's office remained on as well.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the company building, Julian walked in wearing a black overcoat and carrying a bouquet of roses.

Passing girls glanced at him frequently, whispering.

"Who is that? He’s so handsome!"

"And he’s holding roses—wonder who he’s here to see."

...

In the pantry.

While brewing coffee, Elena ran into Liam.

She was about to leave when she heard him ask, "What kind of relationship do you have with that guy named Julian now?"

Elena stopped in her tracks, turned, and asked with confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Just as Liam was about to question her further, a commotion erupted outside.

Both turned to see Julian finally finding Elena, clutching a massive bouquet of roses.

He spoke with extreme tenderness in his eyes: "Elena, be my girlfriend."

Chapter 4: The Reason for the Breakup

"Whoa!"

The crowd of people behind Julian burst into cheers.

Elena, however, felt completely bewildered and extremely awkward. She forced herself to speak: "I'm sorry, I cannot agree to this."

Hearing this, Julian looked at Liam: "Is it because of him?"

Elena paused and shook her head: "It has nothing to do with anyone. Please, take your flowers back."

She turned and hurried out of the pantry.

Only Julian and Liam remained, staring each other down, the air pressure between them dropping several degrees.

Liam cast a sidelong glance at the red roses in Julian’s arms and curled his lip in utter disdain: "It seems you don't even know what flowers she likes."

Julian’s jaw tightened, and he scoffed, refusing to back down: "So what? You know her so well, and yet you still broke up!"

Liam’s expression turned instantly dark.

He ignored Julian and strode away.

Behind him, Julian’s determined voice rang out: "One day, she will see my worth."

Liam didn't stop, calling out coldly to the security guard: "Get him out of here!"

That evening, Elena returned home with a heavy heart, only to find a table full of food waiting.

She forced a smile and walked into the kitchen: "Mom, what’s the occasion?"

Her mother took off her apron and limped out of the kitchen, pretending to scold her: "You child, you’ve been so busy lately you even forgot your father’s birthday."

Elena realized with a start. She immediately walked into the living room and lit an incense stick before her father’s portrait.

Gazing at the memorial photo, a wave of bitterness surged through her.

When she was five, her father had sacrificed his life to save others, and she had lived with her mother ever since.

After paying her respects, Elena returned to the kitchen and gently hugged her mother.

Her mother patted her comfortingly. Elena buried her face in her mother's back for a long time before whispering: "Mom, you’re all I have left."

Aside from her mother, she had nothing.

The next day was Saturday.

Elena woke up early, preparing to go back to the company to continue working on the budget, when she suddenly received a call from her best friend, Clara.

"Elena, hurry to the Nostalgia Cafe. I’m already here waiting for you."

With that, Clara hung up.

Looking at her phone, Elena couldn't help but sigh.

Clara’s impulsive nature had been the same since college; she probably wouldn't change if she lived a hundred years.

Resigned, Elena gave up the idea of going into the office.

When she reached the cafe and walked in, she heard the owner’s warm greeting: "Good morning, little Elena."

Elena smiled gently and nodded: "Good morning, Ms. Ning."

This had been where she worked part-time in college, and where she had her first date with Liam.

Once inside, Clara pulled Elena to a seat.

Her eyes glittered with gossip as she asked mysteriously: "Did you meet Liam?"

Elena paused, feigning ignorance: "What?"

Clara huffed: "I already knew. You have no idea how well-informed I am."

Elena pursed her lips, saying nothing.

"Tell me, what did it feel like seeing him again after seven years?" Clara’s gossiping gaze grew even brighter.

Elena’s eyes flickered for a moment. The part of her heart that had been empty for seven years trembled in the wind.

She shook her head lightly, looking down at her coffee: "...No feeling."