"My name is Su Qing, I'm 22 years old. Currently, I am the public relations director at my brother's company, a stable income and no bad habits. Mr. Gu, this is my basic information." Su Qing introduced herself to the man opposite her with a blank expression. After speaking, she lowered her head to stir the coffee in the cup with the coffee spoon, seemingly not very interested in the other party's response.

Gu Hao raised an eyebrow looking at the indifferent woman opposite. Rarely had he seen a woman act so cold towards him. Unless he had investigated her beforehand, he would almost think this woman was playing hard to get.

"Miss Su, you don't seem very invested in this blind date?" This saddened him slightly.

"This meeting only exists because you and I need to appease our families. We both know well enough that we are not suited for marriage nor will there be any future meetings. I don't think I need to bother. What do you think, Mr. Gu?"

Su Qing paused for a moment before continuing to stir her coffee, still not making eye contact with Gu Hao. She admitted that Gu Hao was handsome and was from a good family. After studying abroad, he took over his family's business and was managing it well — not your typical second-generation rich kid. However, Su Qing's heart was occupied by someone else, a thorn wedged in her chest, preventing anyone else from entering.

"I somewhat disagree with Miss Su's views. Marriage is a natural progression for both men and women at our age. Furthermore, your heart is occupied by an ex-boyfriend whose fate is unknown, just as mine is occupied by an ex-girlfriend who has run away with someone else. We both harbor impossible feelings for someone else. A marriage of convenience would benefit us both, wouldn't it?"

Su Qing finally shifted her attention from the coffee in front of her. She looked up at Gu Hao, eyes filled with nascent anger.

"You've been investigating me?"

"I have intentions to marry, that's why I am participating in this blind date, so it's only fair to familiarize myself with my potential bride. To be honest, I am very satisfied with Miss Su. If Miss Su finds me acceptable too, we can get our marriage certificate now."

Despite Su Qing's evident anger, Gu Hao seemed to be unfazed, suggesting directly and unabashedly that they should get married straightaway. Su Qing was somewhat helpless in response to Gu Hao's thick-skinned approach. However, she remained in control of her emotions, not allowing Gu Hao's words to provoke her to immediately walk away. Sipping her coffee, she seemed to be considering the feasibility of Gu Hao's proposal seriously.

Suddenly, the quiet café was disturbed by the sound of a phone ring. Su Qing looked at the caller ID on her phone and couldn't help but furrow her brows.

Seeing it was a call she didn't want to take, Su Qing rejected the call without hesitating. However, the ringing was relentless, the call coming in wave after wave.

"Actually, I don't mind if you take the call first before considering my proposal, or perhaps I should step aside a bit."

Saying this, Gu Hao stood up and left, providing Su Qing with enough time and space to handle her private affairs.

"Something's up?"

"I'm busy."

"Talk later."

Within a short minute, the call was cut off. Su Qing's brows furrowed even tighter, thinking about the words her brother, Su Jing, said to her before she came here: "I heard that the company in Su Bei is going downhill lately, several projects have encountered problems, and finances can't circulate swiftly. Being forced into a corner, they might be looking for cooperation through a business marriage. Su Qian is younger than you, and unless the business marriage partner is really outstanding, I reckon Su Bei would hesitate to let her go, and in the end, you might be the one sacrificed. So if he invites you out for meals or so during this period, refuse whenever you can. If all else fails, you could go to America with Xu Ran to help me with a project, and lay low." With these words, her original intention to reject Gu Hao began to waver.