He was very concerned about his age now.  

After a long silence, those ink-dark eyes turned to Xiuzhu, and he lowered his voice and said, “An older man knows how to cherish his woman better.”  

Xiuzhu pursed her lips.

“Knowing how to cherish someone has nothing to do with age.”

“Look at him—when it comes to betrothal gifts, he still has to go home and consult his mother. He’s almost thirty, probably just a mama’s boy. And worst of all, he’s secondhand goods.”

Gu Yu had never heard the term “mama’s boy,” but he could tell it wasn’t a compliment.  

Afraid of being dragged down by that damned square-faced man, he quickly assured her, “Xiuzhu, I’m very considerate, and I make my own decisions. My family doesn’t interfere.”  

After saying this, Gu Yu’s ears burned slightly. Though he was mature and ruthless in his work, when it came to matters of love, he was as pure as a lotus!  

His gaze fixed intently on the girl across from him as he asked softly, “Xiuzhu, what kind of person do you want to marry in the future?”  

Xiuzhu gave him a strange look. What did his considerateness have to do with her?  

But hearing his question, she answered seriously, “Someone who can protect me and my family—and who’ll listen to me.”  

After her cousin’s advice last time, she had become much more cautious with her words. She didn’t dare mention wanting a life of luxury, fine food and drink, or a husband who’d handle all the household chores…  

But “listening to her” naturally included all that. She really was a clever little thing.  

Though Xiuzhu had come to the capital to find a powerful backer, she had only lived to eighteen in both lifetimes and had no real life experience. She was afraid of overplaying her hand again.  

She planned to wait for her grandfather to return, sound him out, and then subtly ask him to introduce her to a few influential suitors. She’d just pick the least annoying one.  

Of course, she had hinted at this to her father before, but he was such a doting parent that he refused to discuss marriage at all, always brushing her off with the excuse that she was too young.  

The capital is far away, and her grandfather always indulged her—so she had decided to act first and report later.  

Gu Yu set aside his usual casual demeanor, listening to Xiuzhu’s words with rapt attention.  

Then, he analyzed each word in his mind as carefully as if it were critical intelligence.  

He prided himself on his comprehension and intellect.  

Translated, the girl’s words meant she wanted someone with more power than the Lin family, someone who could protect them.  

As for the second part—about listening to her—that was just a young girl’s fantasy of a gentle, doting partner.  

Since he had already set his heart on her, of course he would treat her well. His own qualifications perfectly matched her requirements. Wasn’t she practically describing him?  

He didn’t want to wait any longer. Too much delay could bring trouble. He wanted to confess his feelings now. These days, marriages after a single meeting were common—and he had already known her for half a month.  

Every word he planned to say next had been rehearsed countless times in his heart. Yet now, his pulse still raced like drumbeats.  

Taking a deep breath, he looked at the girl with utmost seriousness, about to speak—  

“Hurry, let’s see what’s on the menu today!”  

*Clomp, clomp, clomp.*  

The sudden noise shattered the quiet and cut off Gu Yu’s unspoken words.  

It was noon, and workers rushed into the state-run restaurant in droves. The space filled with chatter, orders being called, and arguments—a cacophony of overlapping sounds.  

Gu Yu’s words were forcibly trapped in his throat. A flicker of annoyance and helplessness flashed in his eyes.  

Xiuzhu had a small appetite and was already full after eating little. She frowned at the remaining dishes. “There’s so much left. Good thing we didn’t order more.”  

“It’s fine. I can finish it.” Gu Yu disliked the way others eyed Xiuzhu, so he ate quickly, clearing the plates in no time.  

Food was precious these days, and Xiuzhu approved of his no-waste approach.  

Still, he ate *way* too fast—though his table manners weren’t crude.  

The restaurant was too noisy, so after the meal, the two didn’t linger. Gu Yu drove Xiuzhu straight home.  

As they left, many gazes lingered on Xiuzhu—until the tall man beside her shot them a frosty glare, forcing them to look away.  

Gu Yu’s chest tightened as he recalled the way those men had looked at Xiuzhu earlier. He wanted to pull her into his arms and stake his claim.  

The more he thought about it, the more he felt this matter couldn’t be delayed.  

He turned the car onto a secluded road and came to a stop.  

Xiuzhu had grown drowsy after lunch, her eyelids heavy the moment she got in the car. By the time she realized something was amiss, she noticed they weren’t on the road home.  

Curious, she asked, “What’s wrong? This isn’t the way we came.”  

Gu Yu took a steadying breath before turning to face the girl in the passenger seat, his expression more serious than ever.  

His eyes, deep as starlight, fixed on her as he said in a low, husky voice, “Xiuzhu, there’s something I need to tell you.”  

“Y-You… if you have something to say, just say it. It’s not like your mouth is sealed shut,” Xiuzhu stammered, swallowing nervously under his intense gaze.  

“Xiuzhu, I like you. I want to court you with the intention of marriage.”  

“I’m 25 years old, currently serving as Deputy Chief of the Dongcheng District Public Security Bureau in the capital. Both my parents are military personnel—my father holds a full corps-level rank. I have an older brother, 27, and a younger sister, 18.”  

“Earlier at the state-run restaurant, you mentioned your criteria for a partner. I believe I meet all of them.”  

“If we’re together, your family will be my family. I’ll take good care of both the Lins and you.”  

“Will you give me a chance, Xiuzhu?”  

Gu Yu’s words came one after another, each more staggering than the last, leaving Xiuzhu’s head spinning.  

She blinked, needing a moment to collect herself before finding her voice. “Wait—I’m still processing. Did you just say you want to court me?”  

“Yes. I want to court you. Once we’ve spent enough time together and you feel ready, we can marry,” Gu Yu replied solemnly, watching her adorable reactions.  

In the 1960s, it was common for girls to marry at 18. But the Lin family was well-off, and Xiuzhu was their only daughter—they surely wouldn’t want her married off so soon.  

Xiuzhu hesitated, surprised by his impressive background. Becoming deputy chief at 25 was remarkable enough, but his father even outranked her uncle by two levels.  

He truly did meet all her requirements.  

But if he was 25 with such good qualifications, why wasn’t he already married?  

In this era, that made him practically an old bachelor. What if he also had an ex-wife or children? She had no interest in being a stepmother.  

Thinking this, she bluntly asked, “With your looks and status, how are you still single at your age?”  

“Are you like that Jianguo from earlier, trying to make me a stepmother?”  

The more she considered it, the more convinced she became. How dare this man, at his advanced age, think he could taint a young beauty like her? Furious, she glared at Gu Yu.  

Gu Yu’s handsome brow furrowed as her words sank in. Was she comparing them to that matchmaking couple from before?

What absurd nonsense was spinning in that little head of hers?  

And since when was 25 considered *old*???  

But seeing her anger, he didn’t dare press further. Instead, he patiently explained, “My parents are open-minded. Marrying late runs in our family—my brother isn’t married either.”  

“I was busy with work, focused entirely on my military duties. I never paid attention to other women until I met you. You’re the first to make me consider marriage.”  

His expression turned grave as he added with emphasis, “Rest assured, there are no ex-wives or children.”  

Xiuzhu hadn’t expected this “powerful backer” to fall into her lap so easily.  

Her large, luminous eyes gleamed. *Of course* she was irresistible—but why rush? If she waited, an even better candidate might appear.  

She believed in comparing options and wasn’t ready to settle yet.  

Gu Yu, wholly focused on her, noticed every shift in her expression.  

At least she wasn’t rejecting him outright. That was enough.  

As for the other emotions flickering across her face? Irrelevant.  

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, his eyes glinting with shrewd calculation…