Gu Liansheng leaned back in the leather chair, his gaze fixed on the faint reflection of the skyline across the glass wall.
The city was alive beneath him—cars moving, lights flickering like restless stars. From this height, everything looked small, almost insignificant.
He preferred it that way. To be on top and to be in control.
The private suite was quiet, bathed in warm amber light that softened the edges of the black marble floor.
Everything about it screamed precision, order, silence and control. The faint scent of cedar and old wine lingered in the air, a quiet reminder of wealth and discipline.
He sat there, unmoving, the ticking of his watch the only sound. The vase of white lilies on the table caught his attention. White lilies... they were delicate, pure and could be easily crushed.
They reminded him so much of the woman he was about to meet.
At least, that's what the media made her out to be. She was the heiress of a collapsing empire, a perfect target for enemies.
But Gu Liansheng didn't believe in weakness. He only believed in leverage.
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. Every partnership he ever made had a reason. Every deal was made with a calculated purpose.
Marrying Shen Linyi would be no different.
She had what he needed—a company with influence, a name that still carried weight, and a public image that could silence his grandmother's constant matchmaking attempts.
And if she thought she could refuse him… well, he almost smiled. No one refused Gu Liansheng twice.
The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor reached his ears, steady and unhurried. The door opened a moment later, and his bodyguard stepped aside.
And then, she walked in.
Shen Linyi.
She wasn't what he expected. There was no fragility in her. Her expression was calm, her posture composed, her eyes cold but steady. Even the simple cream blouse she wore didn't hide her quiet elegance.
She met his gaze directly, not like someone who had come begging for help, but like someone measuring the worth of the man sitting before her.
For the first time that evening, Gu Liansheng's interest stirred, and he unconsciously sat up.
"Miss Shen," he greeted, his voice low, smooth like someone who had faced a lot of battles. "Please, have a seat."
"Arrogant…" she muttered under her breath, but still walked over and sat down.
Gu Liansheng's lips twitched. "So, have you thought about my proposal?" he asked, wasting no time. "Are you willing to marry me?"
Her eyes flickered. For a moment, she was silent.
Shen Linyi met his gaze, unwavering. She had been thinking about this since she saw his message. The decision was heavy, but deep down, she knew — she had no choice.
Still, she needed to know what game he was playing.
"As a businessman," she began slowly, "you don't do anything without profit. So why me?"
Gu Liansheng chuckled quietly, a sound that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're right," he said simply. "I don't."
He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I want the Shen Group. Or at least a stake significant enough to keep it under control. You want to keep your company from being swallowed alive by your charming fiancé."
He was right. She couldn't let Zhou Yuanfeng have a stake in her family's legacy.
Her fingers tightened slightly, wondering how he knew. "So, that's your reason?"
"Part of it." His gaze was steady. "The other is simpler. My grandmother wants me married. You have a clean reputation, Miss Shen. A perfect match for the media. Marrying you would make certain people back off."
Shen Linyi stared at him for a long time. "So I'm just a convenient tool?"
"If you'd like to see it that way," he replied without hesitation.
A silence stretched between them. The only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioner.
She looked away, her eyes on the glowing skyline outside. "You're honest," she said at last. "More than most men I've met."
"I find honesty saves time."
She almost smiled. "Then let's not waste any more of it. I accept."
For the first time, Gu Liansheng's expression shifted slightly. He had expected her to resist, to bargain. Instead, she agreed easily—too easily.
"You accept?" he repeated, his tone unreadable, filled with something strange in it.
"I do." She met his gaze again. "But I have one condition. Once my company stabilizes, this marriage ends. I'll sign whatever papers you want after that."
He studied her for a long moment, his eyes dark and deep. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Fine."
He extended his hand across the table. "Then we have a deal."
Shen Linyi hesitated for half a second before placing her hand in his. His palm was warm, steady, unyielding.
"Good," Gu Liansheng said, his tone calm but carrying a quiet satisfaction. "My assistant will contact you tomorrow to handle the details."
She withdrew her hand and stood, her heart pounding even though her face remained calm. "I'll be waiting."
As she walked toward the door, his voice followed her, deep, smooth, and almost teasing.
"Miss Shen."
She paused, her fingers on the handle.
"When this is over," he said, "Remember—this was your decision."
She didn't turn back. "I don't forget debts, Mr. Gu," she replied.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Gu Liansheng leaned back once more, his fingers brushing against the cool surface of his glass. The faintest trace of a smile touched his lips.
This was going to be interesting.