Su Jin Yue studied the man in front of her with a scrutinizing gaze.
She did not immediately believe him, nor did she reject him outright like she had the men before him.
His appearance at this exact moment was far too timely, and he seemed to know precisely what kind of man she was looking for.
The coincidence made her curious.
“You know what I’m looking for?” Gu Jing Shen gave a slight nod.
His expression was so calm that there was barely a ripple of emotion on his face.
“I have no money, no status, and no family background.
I fit your criteria perfectly.” Su Jin Yue raised an eyebrow slightly.
The corners of her lips curved upward just a fraction, and for the first time, there was genuine interest in her eyes.
From the beginning of this blind date, he was the first man who had not tried to flaunt his family background or find ways to win her favor.
Instead, he had directly stated exactly what she wanted to hear.
Su Jin Yue studied him for a few more seconds, a trace of suspicion gradually rising in her heart.
She set down her teacup and lightly clasped her hands in front of her, her tone calm but probing.
“You know what kind of man I’m looking for.
Then do you know who I am?” Gu Jing Shen looked at her, his gaze as composed as ever.
He answered confidently and precisely, as though he had thoroughly investigated her beforehand.
“Su Jin Yue, twenty-four years old, the only daughter of Su Zheng Ting, chairman of Sheng Shi Group.
Sheng Shi Group currently holds major interests in real estate, finance, and commerce in Dongcheng, with total assets placing it among the leading private enterprises in the city.
You are the only heir publicly acknowledged by Su Zheng Ting, and the person who will eventually take over Sheng Shi Group.” Su Jin Yue narrowed her eyes slightly.
Gu Jing Shen continued, his voice calm, every word measured and clear.
“You grew up in a wealthy family and were raised from childhood according to the standards expected of an heir.
You’re independent by nature, dislike being controlled, and have no interest in associating with people who approach you solely for their own benefit.
You studied abroad, and after returning home, you spent most of your time working as a librarian.
To date, you have rejected at least seven marriage arrangements made by your family.” He paused for a moment and looked directly into her eyes.
“There’s something more important.” Su Jin Yue said nothing, waiting for him to continue.
“You don’t lack money, and you don’t need a man to bring money into your life.
What you need is someone who has no ability to interfere with the way you live.” The corners of Gu Jing Shen’s lips lifted slightly.
“That’s why I said I’m exactly the man you’re looking for.” Silence settled between them for several seconds.
The smile on Su Jin Yue’s lips gradually disappeared.
For the first time since sitting down at this table, her gaze became genuinely guarded.
He knew too much about her.
He knew not only that she was Su Zheng Ting’s daughter, but also that she had no interest in inheriting Sheng Shi Group.
He even knew her personality, her habits, and the exact number of times she had rejected arranged marriages.
There was no way an ordinary man could know all of that.
Su Jin Yue leaned back slightly, studying him intently.
“Looks like you’ve investigated me very thoroughly.” Gu Jing Shen did not deny it.
“If you’re going to marry someone, learning about them beforehand is the minimum courtesy.” His answer sounded reasonable enough that Su Jin Yue could not immediately find a flaw in it.
She was silent for a moment before asking, “What else do you know about me?” Gu Jing Shen looked at her, a trace of emotion flickering deep within his eyes.
“Everything you want me to know, I know.” “And what about the things I don’t want anyone else to know?” “Then I won’t go looking for them.” His answer made Su Jin Yue pause.
The more she spoke with this man, the more curious she became.
“So what do you want from me?” Gu Jing Shen looked straight into her eyes and answered without hesitation.
“I need you to agree to become my wife.” His blunt answer caught Su Jin Yue off guard.
She studied him for several seconds, as though trying to uncover the hidden motive behind his composed expression, but she found nothing.
“Why do you want to marry me?” Gu Jing Shen answered naturally.
“We’re getting married for our own reasons.
As long as our purposes are compatible, that’s enough.” “Then what is your purpose?” “To marry you.” Su Jin Yue stared at him.
Clearly, Gu Jing Shen’s answer did not satisfy her.
Her lashes flickered, and the faint curiosity in her eyes immediately gave way to alertness and caution.
She disliked anything beyond her control, and she disliked even more the fact that a strange man knew so much about her while deliberately keeping his own information hidden.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly, forming a faint smile devoid of any real amusement.
“You’ve investigated me so thoroughly.
Aren’t you going to let me know something about you?” Gu Jing Shen looked at her for a few seconds before reaching for the leather briefcase beside him.
Su Jin Yue raised an eyebrow when she saw him take out a neatly organized file.
He placed it on the table in front of her and gently pushed it toward her.
“All the information about me is in there.” Su Jin Yue looked at the file, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes.
She picked it up and opened the first page.
A neatly formatted personal profile appeared before her.
Gu Jing Shen, twenty-seven years old, corporate and economic lawyer.
Graduated from the School of Law at a prestigious university.
Currently working at a law firm in Dongcheng, specializing in commercial disputes and economic litigation.
Su Jin Yue turned to the next page.
There was no real estate registered under his name, no company shares, no inheritance, and certainly no powerful family standing behind him.
If his academic achievements and professional record were set aside, Gu Jing Shen’s background was almost completely unremarkable.
She looked up at him.
“You really have nothing?” “Yes.” Gu Jing Shen answered calmly.
“I have one grandmother.” Su Jin Yue paused.
“My grandmother raised me.” His voice remained steady, but when he mentioned his grandmother, the coldness in his eyes softened ever so slightly.
“My parents died when I was young.
I grew up with my grandmother.
She still lives in the countryside.
Her health isn’t particularly good, but she can still take care of herself.” He paused briefly before continuing, “You’ve read everything else.” Su Jin Yue lowered her eyes to the file in her hands.
She had not expected a man with Gu Jing Shen’s calm demeanor and commanding presence to have such an ordinary, almost empty background.
No parents, no powerful family, no wealth, and no influential connections to support him.
And yet, at just twenty-seven, he had already become an economic and corporate lawyer.
Su Jin Yue flipped through a few more pages, her eyes stopping at his professional record.
The cases he had handled were far from insignificant.
Some involved commercial disputes worth hundreds of millions, even billions.
The dry words printed on the pages made her look at the man before her differently.
Su Jin Yue closed the file, her fingertips unconsciously tapping against its cover.
She looked at him for a long moment, finding herself increasingly convinced that this man was strange.
He had prepared a detailed profile that left almost nothing for her to question, and he had even brought it with him as though he had anticipated that she would want to investigate him.
“You came prepared.” “I want to marry you.” Gu Jing Shen looked at her, his tone as calm as ever.
“I think you have the right to know what kind of man you’re about to marry.” Su Jin Yue pressed her lips together slightly.
She placed the file back on the table, her eyes never leaving him.
“But there’s still something I don’t understand.” “What?” “Given your circumstances, why do you want to marry me?” This time, Gu Jing Shen did not answer immediately.
He simply looked at her in silence, his deep eyes making Su Jin Yue feel as though she had just touched upon a secret he was not yet willing to reveal.
After a moment, he finally said calmly.
“You’ll find out later.”