How Do I Handle Constant Pressure to Get Married Through an Arranged Marriage? 31 Male. Happy being Alone.

I'm a 31-year-old male, currently single, and quite content with my life as it is. I don't see anything wrong with being alone, and I'm happy with my independence. However, this seems to be causing a lot of concern for my family.

Here's a bit of background: I was sent abroad to study when I was 12 with a host family, and since then, I've been mostly raising myself, only seeing my parents during holidays. I think this early independence made me self-sufficient and comfortable with being alone. I sometimes wonder if this lack of attachment in my early years is one reason I don't feel the need to seek a relationship or depend on someone for help.

Being Asian, there's a strong cultural expectation to get married. My parents and extended family constantly pressure me to settle down, hinting that I'm going to end up as a "left-over bachelor" like expired meat that no one wants. Every conversation with them inevitably turns to this topic, despite repeatedly letting them know that I'm happy as I am.

Recently, things have escalated. My parents are arranging a marriage (YES arranged marriage) behind my back and are now urging me to meet a girl they've chosen. I don't think they really understand me, partly because I've been living abroad and independently since middle school. By the time I got to university, my connection with my family had weakened, and I sometimes saw them only once every two years, if that.

My point is, they don't really know who I am or what makes me happy. I'm wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation and how you navigated it.

Thanks in advance for any advice or shared experiences!