The Marriage Harbor CH12
Chapter 12: Pack Your Bags and Stay with Me
After the banquet, the family returned to the villa. The moment they stepped through the door, Jiang Chengxiao exploded at Jiang Yao.
"You fool! What kind of occasion was that? Why would you say those things to Binbin! Tang Zhisong was right there, and so many guests—do you think you were shaming her? You were shaming me!"
Jiang Yao hadn't expected things to escalate so severely. Her face flushed red then turned pale. "I was wrong, Father!" she sobbed.
Chen Ling, who hadn't heard the recording yet but knew Jiang Yao had confronted Jiang Bin, angrily grabbed her daughter’s arm.
"Bingbing is innocent. She’s suffered enough being alone all these years. How much further do you want to push her?"
"I didn't push her!" Jiang Yao cried. "Mom, I just felt sorry for you. I hate that you’ve carried a bad reputation for so many years."
Chen Ling froze, her expression unreadable. "Regardless, Bingbing is not at fault."
"Then we shouldn't just watch her use the Tang family’s power to steal our company!" Jiang Yao argued. Jiang Bin had already begun encroaching on her territory in the film industry.
Jiang Chengxiao ripped off his tie and threw it on the sofa. "I told you before, I have a handle on this. You don't need to interfere."
Jiang Shaoyu, who had been silent, looked at his father with concern. "Dad, the priority is how we pacify Tang Zhisong. He looks refined, but he is ruthless to the core. Don't forget the lesson of the Fangke Group in Southeast Asia. Just because they went back on a mining deal and cornered the Tang family, Tang Zhisong tanked their stock and forced the entire group into bankruptcy."
Jiang Shaoyu hadn't expected Tang Zhisong to make such a grand show of support for Jiang Bin over a single remark.
Jiang Chengxiao called in his board secretary. "Call Tang Zhisong. Feel out his intentions." The secretary called, but there was no answer.
The father and son exchanged a look, guessing Tang Zhisong was ignoring them on purpose. Still protecting his pride, Jiang Chengxiao gestured to his son. "You call him personally."
Jiang Shaoyu dialed, and this time, it connected quickly. "Zhisong, we were so busy today we didn't get to see you and Binbin off. Have you two made it back?"
"We're home," Tang Zhisong replied, his tone casual and indifferent.
Jiang Shaoyu stepped toward the window. "Zhisong, Jiang Yao drank too much today and spoke out of turn, hurting Binbin. As her brother, I’m apologizing on her behalf. Our parents have already disciplined her severely. Should we have her apologize to Binbin in person?"
Tang Zhisong didn't waste words. He dropped a single sentence and hung up.
Seeing Jiang Shaoyu turn pale, Jiang Chengxiao frowned. "What did he say?"
Jiang Shaoyu took a breath, his eyes dark as he looked at Jiang Yao. "He said... a public apology across all platforms."
The villa fell into a deathly silence.
If they didn't comply, what would happen if the recording was released? It would tank the Jiang Group’s stock price. After a night of weighing the interests of the company, Jiang Chengxiao finally forced Jiang Yao to apologize publicly.
Public relations drafted a statement and released it simultaneously on WeChat, Weibo, and the company’s internal platforms. The statement was sincere, admitting she had lost her composure and hurt Jiang Bin, promising to cherish her sister and never let it happen again.
Though it tried to save face for Jiang Yao, the reality was that a woman who had been proud her whole life was forced to bow her head. Beyond the loss of face, her reputation was shattered. How could her subordinates at the branch office respect her now?
Tang Zhisong’s move was deceptively simple, yet it struck a fatal blow to Jiang Yao’s career. As she covered her face and sobbed, she couldn't erase the memory of his calm, elegant face. He was never the "jade-like gentleman" the world saw, he was a black-bellied wolf through and through!
On the pretext of being sick, Jiang Yao took a leave from the office for three days.
In contrast, Jiang Bin received the apology email with total indifference. She glanced at it, closed it, and immediately called her film producers to start a meeting.
During the meeting, Jiang Bin pushed for a script overhaul. "National animation has been rising lately, but your story is too cliché," she told the writers. "We need a strategy with broad mass appeal. Something that resonates with the average viewer."
"Who buys the tickets? Young parents. Specifically, mothers who feel like they have to be 'superwomen' while struggling between their independence and their roles as 'good wives.' We need a theme like: 'Be a mother, but be yourself first.' We need to tackle the 'tiger parenting' culture—the relentless pressure to hothouse children into overachievers until the whole family is exhausted. Address those real struggles, and the box office will follow."
The writers were stunned by her market insight. They realized the "Little President Jiang" was no trophy—she was a sharp strategist.
By 6:00 PM, Jiang Bin realized she had a cold. Her head was spinning, so she headed back to her apartment. She took a painkiller and was lying down when her cousin, Mu Yun, called.
"How are you?" he asked, having heard from her driver.
"I took some medicine," she murmured.
"Give me thirty minutes. I'll finish up and come cook for you," Mu Yun said. She didn't refuse; they had looked out for each other like this for years.
Meanwhile, Tang Zhisong was preparing to return to San Francisco. He had sent his itinerary to Jiang Bin at 4:00 PM, but two hours had passed without a response. Feeling an odd impulse, he called her.
Jiang Bin answered on speakerphone, her voice groggy. "This is Jiang Bin, who is this?"
"Tang Zhisong," he said with a hint of helplessness.
Jiang Bin nearly choked. She sat up and grabbed the phone. "Oh, it's you. Is something wrong?"
"Are you not feeling well?" His voice turned gentle.
"Just a cold. I've taken medicine."
"Have you had dinner?"
"Not yet," she admitted.
"Wait a moment. I'll order something for you," Tang Zhisong said before hanging up.
Jiang Bin immediately regretted not telling him her cousin was coming. She had to call Mu Yun and tell him she "accidentally" ordered delivery. Mu Yun, sensing the last minute cancellation has something to do with Tang Zhisong, wisely stepped back. "Alright, take care of yourself."
Tang Zhisong, however, didn't just "order delivery." He had his private chefs at Ningsheng Tech pack a meal for two. At 7:00 PM, he appeared at her door in person.
Jiang Bin, in her slippers and looking disheveled, was stunned to see him.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
She let him in, but as he stepped toward the shoe cabinet, his eyes fell on a pair of men's slippers belonging to Mu Yun. There were no other new shoes.
Jiang Bin was embarrassed. "I'll have the property management send up a new pair."
Tang Zhisong said nothing; he wouldn't wear another man's shoes. He walked in barefoot and set the food on the island. After eating a quiet, high-quality meal, he insisted on cleaning up.
Watching him—the man whose signature could shift the trajectory of a dozen industries—casually washing dishes in his crisp dress shirt was a sight Jiang Bin never expected to see.
"What size do you wear?" she asked, planning to buy him slippers.
He told her his size, then asked, "And you?"
"Size 36," she replied.
As the evening lights, a vintage-inspired design by her grandfather, shimmered around them, the atmosphere turned soft.
"Go lie down," Tang Zhisong said. "I have a flight to San Francisco tonight. I'll just handle some urgent emails and then leave. You don't need to stay up with me."
* * *
A few weeks of silence followed while Tang Zhisong was abroad in the U.S. By the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiang Bin was fully immersed in securing funds for her acquisition of Changjing Film. True to their prenuptial agreement, she refused to use a cent of his money, determined to close the deal on her own.
By 7:00 PM on the holiday eve, the office was empty except for her. She looked at her client list. The last name was Tang Zhisong.
Just as she was about to call him, his name appeared on her screen. Not wanting to appear too eager, she waited until the fourth ring before finally picking up.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Where are you?" His voice sounded tired, even a bit raspy.
"At the office."
"I'll pick you up," he said. "I just landed. The traffic from the airport is heavy; it might take an hour. Go back to your apartment and pack your bags."
He paused, his voice turning even more gentle. "Come back to the Tang Estate and stay with me for a while."
Finally, he was the one taking the initiative to do so.
Translator's Notes:
After the banquet, the family returned to the villa. The moment they stepped through the door, Jiang Chengxiao exploded at Jiang Yao.
"You fool! What kind of occasion was that? Why would you say those things to Binbin! Tang Zhisong was right there, and so many guests—do you think you were shaming her? You were shaming me!"
Jiang Yao hadn't expected things to escalate so severely. Her face flushed red then turned pale. "I was wrong, Father!" she sobbed.
Chen Ling, who hadn't heard the recording yet but knew Jiang Yao had confronted Jiang Bin, angrily grabbed her daughter’s arm.
"Bingbing is innocent. She’s suffered enough being alone all these years. How much further do you want to push her?"
"I didn't push her!" Jiang Yao cried. "Mom, I just felt sorry for you. I hate that you’ve carried a bad reputation for so many years."
Chen Ling froze, her expression unreadable. "Regardless, Bingbing is not at fault."
"Then we shouldn't just watch her use the Tang family’s power to steal our company!" Jiang Yao argued. Jiang Bin had already begun encroaching on her territory in the film industry.
Jiang Chengxiao ripped off his tie and threw it on the sofa. "I told you before, I have a handle on this. You don't need to interfere."
Jiang Shaoyu, who had been silent, looked at his father with concern. "Dad, the priority is how we pacify Tang Zhisong. He looks refined, but he is ruthless to the core. Don't forget the lesson of the Fangke Group in Southeast Asia. Just because they went back on a mining deal and cornered the Tang family, Tang Zhisong tanked their stock and forced the entire group into bankruptcy."
Jiang Shaoyu hadn't expected Tang Zhisong to make such a grand show of support for Jiang Bin over a single remark.
Jiang Chengxiao called in his board secretary. "Call Tang Zhisong. Feel out his intentions." The secretary called, but there was no answer.
The father and son exchanged a look, guessing Tang Zhisong was ignoring them on purpose. Still protecting his pride, Jiang Chengxiao gestured to his son. "You call him personally."
Jiang Shaoyu dialed, and this time, it connected quickly. "Zhisong, we were so busy today we didn't get to see you and Binbin off. Have you two made it back?"
"We're home," Tang Zhisong replied, his tone casual and indifferent.
Jiang Shaoyu stepped toward the window. "Zhisong, Jiang Yao drank too much today and spoke out of turn, hurting Binbin. As her brother, I’m apologizing on her behalf. Our parents have already disciplined her severely. Should we have her apologize to Binbin in person?"
Tang Zhisong didn't waste words. He dropped a single sentence and hung up.
Seeing Jiang Shaoyu turn pale, Jiang Chengxiao frowned. "What did he say?"
Jiang Shaoyu took a breath, his eyes dark as he looked at Jiang Yao. "He said... a public apology across all platforms."
The villa fell into a deathly silence.
If they didn't comply, what would happen if the recording was released? It would tank the Jiang Group’s stock price. After a night of weighing the interests of the company, Jiang Chengxiao finally forced Jiang Yao to apologize publicly.
Public relations drafted a statement and released it simultaneously on WeChat, Weibo, and the company’s internal platforms. The statement was sincere, admitting she had lost her composure and hurt Jiang Bin, promising to cherish her sister and never let it happen again.
Though it tried to save face for Jiang Yao, the reality was that a woman who had been proud her whole life was forced to bow her head. Beyond the loss of face, her reputation was shattered. How could her subordinates at the branch office respect her now?
Tang Zhisong’s move was deceptively simple, yet it struck a fatal blow to Jiang Yao’s career. As she covered her face and sobbed, she couldn't erase the memory of his calm, elegant face. He was never the "jade-like gentleman" the world saw, he was a black-bellied wolf through and through!
On the pretext of being sick, Jiang Yao took a leave from the office for three days.
In contrast, Jiang Bin received the apology email with total indifference. She glanced at it, closed it, and immediately called her film producers to start a meeting.
During the meeting, Jiang Bin pushed for a script overhaul. "National animation has been rising lately, but your story is too cliché," she told the writers. "We need a strategy with broad mass appeal. Something that resonates with the average viewer."
"Who buys the tickets? Young parents. Specifically, mothers who feel like they have to be 'superwomen' while struggling between their independence and their roles as 'good wives.' We need a theme like: 'Be a mother, but be yourself first.' We need to tackle the 'tiger parenting' culture—the relentless pressure to hothouse children into overachievers until the whole family is exhausted. Address those real struggles, and the box office will follow."
The writers were stunned by her market insight. They realized the "Little President Jiang" was no trophy—she was a sharp strategist.
By 6:00 PM, Jiang Bin realized she had a cold. Her head was spinning, so she headed back to her apartment. She took a painkiller and was lying down when her cousin, Mu Yun, called.
"How are you?" he asked, having heard from her driver.
"I took some medicine," she murmured.
"Give me thirty minutes. I'll finish up and come cook for you," Mu Yun said. She didn't refuse; they had looked out for each other like this for years.
Meanwhile, Tang Zhisong was preparing to return to San Francisco. He had sent his itinerary to Jiang Bin at 4:00 PM, but two hours had passed without a response. Feeling an odd impulse, he called her.
Jiang Bin answered on speakerphone, her voice groggy. "This is Jiang Bin, who is this?"
"Tang Zhisong," he said with a hint of helplessness.
Jiang Bin nearly choked. She sat up and grabbed the phone. "Oh, it's you. Is something wrong?"
"Are you not feeling well?" His voice turned gentle.
"Just a cold. I've taken medicine."
"Have you had dinner?"
"Not yet," she admitted.
"Wait a moment. I'll order something for you," Tang Zhisong said before hanging up.
Jiang Bin immediately regretted not telling him her cousin was coming. She had to call Mu Yun and tell him she "accidentally" ordered delivery. Mu Yun, sensing the last minute cancellation has something to do with Tang Zhisong, wisely stepped back. "Alright, take care of yourself."
Tang Zhisong, however, didn't just "order delivery." He had his private chefs at Ningsheng Tech pack a meal for two. At 7:00 PM, he appeared at her door in person.
Jiang Bin, in her slippers and looking disheveled, was stunned to see him.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
She let him in, but as he stepped toward the shoe cabinet, his eyes fell on a pair of men's slippers belonging to Mu Yun. There were no other new shoes.
Jiang Bin was embarrassed. "I'll have the property management send up a new pair."
Tang Zhisong said nothing; he wouldn't wear another man's shoes. He walked in barefoot and set the food on the island. After eating a quiet, high-quality meal, he insisted on cleaning up.
Watching him—the man whose signature could shift the trajectory of a dozen industries—casually washing dishes in his crisp dress shirt was a sight Jiang Bin never expected to see.
"What size do you wear?" she asked, planning to buy him slippers.
He told her his size, then asked, "And you?"
"Size 36," she replied.
As the evening lights, a vintage-inspired design by her grandfather, shimmered around them, the atmosphere turned soft.
"Go lie down," Tang Zhisong said. "I have a flight to San Francisco tonight. I'll just handle some urgent emails and then leave. You don't need to stay up with me."
* * *
A few weeks of silence followed while Tang Zhisong was abroad in the U.S. By the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiang Bin was fully immersed in securing funds for her acquisition of Changjing Film. True to their prenuptial agreement, she refused to use a cent of his money, determined to close the deal on her own.
By 7:00 PM on the holiday eve, the office was empty except for her. She looked at her client list. The last name was Tang Zhisong.
Just as she was about to call him, his name appeared on her screen. Not wanting to appear too eager, she waited until the fourth ring before finally picking up.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Where are you?" His voice sounded tired, even a bit raspy.
"At the office."
"I'll pick you up," he said. "I just landed. The traffic from the airport is heavy; it might take an hour. Go back to your apartment and pack your bags."
He paused, his voice turning even more gentle. "Come back to the Tang Estate and stay with me for a while."
Finally, he was the one taking the initiative to do so.
Translator's Notes:
- White-bellied (腹黑/白切黑): Jiang Yao originally used this term instead of "black-bellied" (黑腹/黑心) but it's essentially the same. It literally means "White on the outside, but once you cut it open, it's black." It's a common C-novel term used to describe a character who looks kind and gentle on the outside but is actually cunning or ruthless.
- Chicken Baby (鸡娃): A popular Chinese slang term for "hothousing" children—parents who push their kids to academic extremes with endless extracurriculars.
- "Moms live as a whole army" (一个人活成了千军万马): A phrase describing the immense pressure on modern Chinese women to handle career, parenting, and household duties single-handedly.
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