The Marriage Harbor CH13
Chapter 13: Grown Adults Have Nothing to Avoid
His voice brushed against her earlobe as softly as the evening breeze.
Jiang Bin responded with a calm, steady 'Okay.'
After hanging up, she sat alone for a moment before packing her laptop bag. She called Uncle Liu, gave him a generous red envelope, and granted him a holiday. "Take these three days to rest. I’ll call you if I need anything."
Jiang Bin pulled out her travel suitcase. Madam Tang had already mentioned that all her skincare products were prepared, so she only needed a few changes of clothes. In truth, she didn't even need those; Madam Tang had already ordered several custom outfits for her. After some back-and-forth, Jiang Bin simply packed some undergarments and important documents. A single small suitcase was enough.
Mu Yun, seeing the lights on in her apartment, called her.
"What are the plans for the next few days?"
In the past, he would have just come over, but now that Jiang Bin was married, he felt it proper to maintain some distance.
He didn't tell Jiang Bin that his Uncle, Lu Xin, had a major surgery tonight and his aunt would be staying at the hospital. He had been asked to look after his younger cousins at the villa, but he was prepared to decline if Jiang Bin needed his company. On Mid-Autumn Festival, he didn't want her to be alone.
"Tang Zhisong is picking me up," Jiang Bin replied. "I’ll be staying with him at the Tang Estate."
Mu Yun paused, then sounded relieved. "That’s good then."
While waiting, Jiang Bin replied to several overseas emails. At 8:10 PM, the doorbell rang. She hurried to open it.
It was Tang Zhisong, looking a bit travel-worn but still as handsome and refined as ever.
"Sorry, I’m a bit late."
"Would you like to come in for a glass of water?" Jiang Bin saw the fatigue in his expression and knew he had rushed back specifically for the holiday.
Tang Zhisong nodded and entered. This time, he had bought a pair of suitable men’s slippers.
He walked to the kitchen island, took the glass she offered, and looked around. He noticed only a small, elegant suitcase and a laptop bag by the sofa.
"Is this all your luggage?"
Meeting his deep gaze, she said candidly, "Mom has arranged everything."
Tang Zhisong said no more. After finishing his water, he proactively picked up her suitcase. Jiang Bin tried to help, but he wouldn't let her. For the first time, walking behind him empty-handed, she felt a trace of what it meant to have a husband.
* * *
At Tang Estate, Madam Tang was waiting at the end of the cobblestone path, beaming with joy.
"Bingbing!" Her son finally hadn't disappointed her. She pulled Jiang Bin into a warm embrace.
While the staff took the luggage inside, Tang Zhisong took a call, watching his wife and mother walk into the house chatting and laughing.
"You two haven't had dinner yet, right? I’ve simmered some soup for you."
Inside, Jiang Bin greeted Tang Zhisong’s father.
"Dad."
The usually stern man offered a rare smile.
"Let’s eat first."
When the maid looked to Madam Tang for instructions regarding the luggage, Madam Tang glanced at her son and shooed them toward the kitchen.
"Zhisong, take Bingbing to wash her hands." She then signaled the maid to take Jiang Bin’s suitcase directly to Tang Zhisong’s bedroom.
The quiet Mr. Tang saw through his wife’s schemes but kept his eyes on his magazine, pretending to notice nothing.
Dinner was a harmonious affair. Madam Tang spent the entire time looking after her daughter-in-law, virtually ignoring her son. Tang Zhisong didn't mind, quietly eating his own meal. Eventually, Madam Tang lost patience with his composed demeanor.
"Peel that shrimp for Bingbing."
While cutting a steak fell under Western etiquette, peeling shrimp was not something Tang Zhisong usually did. However, he didn't argue. He put down his chopsticks, donned gloves, and began peeling for her. Jiang Bin found their mother-son dynamic quite amusing. She had never experienced a family atmosphere like this.
After tea, Madam Tang issued another task:
"Zhisong, show Bingbing around the villa."
Tang Zhisong turned to her. "Would you like to walk through the gardens or see the upstairs?"
"Let’s go upstairs," Jiang Bin said, wanting to settle her luggage.
The villa was massive—over two thousand square meters across four floors. The parents' master suite was on the east side of the third floor, while Tang Zhisong’s quarters occupied the west side of the second floor. Because the house was so large, the two wings were quite distant and private.
Tang Zhisong’s private space spanned over three hundred square meters. To the left were two connected studies—his workspace and a smaller room filled with awards and medals from his youth. To the right were several connected walk-in closets, already filled with the clothes his mother had prepared. Further in, facing south, was a massive master bedroom with double en-suite bathrooms.
As Tang Zhisong stepped into the hallway to take a call, Jiang Bin explored the space. Her head began to throb slightly when she realized something.
There was only one bedroom.
How were they supposed to sleep?
The design of Tang Estate was older, with a metallic, luminous quality to the lighting that felt like flowing moonlight. The two of them stood a short distance apart. Jiang Bin, in her sharp navy blazer and wine-red shirt, looked elegant and formidable. Tang Zhisong, though still in his suit, looked more relaxed than usual. This was likely his "at-home" persona.
Since her luggage was in the master bedroom, it was clearly his mother's intent. She looked toward the east wing, wondering if there was another arrangement. Tang Zhisong, ever perceptive, knew what she was thinking. That wing was reserved for future grandchildren.
"The east side has a piano room, an activity room, and a small study. Do you want to see?" he asked.
The subtext was clear: there were no guest rooms.
Their eyes met. Jiang Bin understood immediately. Without a hint of a blush, she pointed toward the master bedroom.
"I’ll go unpack my things then."
"Call me if you need anything," he said simply before heading into his study.
He assumed she had been looking for a guest room. Since they were still relatively new to this and lacked an emotional foundation, he felt it would be disrespectful to force them to sleep together immediately. He planned to sleep in the study.
* * *
Inside the master suite, Jiang Bin partially closed the door. It was a luxurious, expansive space. Since he had brought her here to stay, she assumed he intended for them to live as a real couple, and she had no interest in maintaining a "platonic marriage" indefinitely. They were both mature, successful individuals who understood the nature of their union. After all, grown adults have nothing to avoid.
After organizing her things, she checked the bathroom. She wasn't surprised to see it was fully stocked. She then looked at the king-sized bed. It was large enough for three or four people. She paused before walking towards the nightstand drawers to check for certain "essentials", but both were empty.
As she was wondering about it, Tang Zhisong’s voice came from the doorway.
"What are you looking for?"
Jiang Bin jumped, though she turned around with a perfectly calm expression.
"I just dropped something." She certainly couldn't tell him she was looking for condoms.
"Did you find it?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe, his face unreadable.
"It’s quite small. I’ll ask the maid to help later."
"Let me know if you're missing anything," he said smoothly.
How can I tell you if you haven't prepared any? Jiang Bin thought, though she merely smiled.
"I’m not missing anything for now."
He studied her for a moment before nodding and leaving.
* * *
Later, Jiang Bin went downstairs to join Madam Tang. Halfway down the stairs, she heard the older couple bickering.
"At your age, why are you always watching such flashy nonsense?" Mr. Tang grumbled.
Madam Tang, who loved idol dramas and often cried during the emotional scenes, snapped back, "What nonsense? It’s only because you’re so boring that I have to kill time with these shows!"
When Mr. Tang tried to leave with his magazine, she hissed, "Don't you dare leave! Our daughter-in-law just arrived today. What will it look like if you hide away?"
He reluctantly sat back down, keeping his distance.
"Turn the volume down."
She turned it up.
Jiang Bin watched from the shadows and couldn't help but laugh. This, she realized, was what a normal married couple looked like.
When she finally joined them, Madam Tang waved her over to watch the drama. "Look, Bingbing, isn't the male lead handsome?"
Jiang Bin glanced at the screen. The actor was the gentle, scholarly type—refined and soft.
"Very nice," she agreed.
When Tang Zhisong came down, he saw them critiquing the show. He caught a glimpse of the actor, a "pretty boy" type. His lips thinned as he sat by his father.
"Your mother is something else," Mr. Tang whispered to his son.
"It’s one thing to watch it herself, but she’s going to lead your wife astray..."
"What was that?" Madam Tang called out.
"I’m just watching a show. Are you actually jealous?"
Mr. Tang’s face turned bright red.
"Jealous? Me?"
Embarrassed in front of Jiang Bin, he took his magazine and stormed off. At the stairs, he turned back for one last word: "It’s late! Go to bed!"
Madam Tang, wanting to give the young couple some privacy, stood up with her laptop.
"Bingbing, go to bed early. Don't worry about waking up early tomorrow. You and Zhisong both need your rest."
Once they were gone, the living room felt quiet.
"Do they always bicker like that?" Jiang Bin asked.
"More or less," Tang Zhisong said, pouring some water. "It rarely stops."
He offered her a glass. "Water?"
"Yes, thank you."
To Jiang Bin, the parents' relationship was a unique kind of sweetness. She doubted she and Tang Zhisong would ever bicker like that.
* * *
At 10:00 PM, Jiang Bin went upstairs for her skincare routine. Tang Zhisong returned to his study for a meeting. She locked the bathroom door, a habit in a new house, and spent an hour bathing and doing her hair.
Tang Zhisong, having no experience living with a woman, finished his video conference and assumed she was done. When he found the bedroom empty and the bathroom door still locked, he had no choice but to wait. Another thirty minutes passed.
Worried something had happened, he knocked.
"Jiang Bin?"
She finished her last step and opened the door, a scent of jasmine wafting out. Tang Zhisong’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"You were in there so long, I thought something was wrong."
Freshly bathed, her skin looked like a peeled lychee, clear and radiant. Without makeup, her eyes were bright and less "aggressive," giving her a softer, more delicate look. He found himself looking a few moments too long.
She was wearing a sleeveless long dress, neither casual loungewear nor formal attire. She wasn't yet comfortable wearing a silk slip in front of him.
"Sorry, I took a while. I’ve held you up." She stepped out to give him the bathroom.
When Tang Zhisong entered, he saw his once-minimalist space transformed. It was filled with various bottles and jars, two cabinets' worth, most of which he couldn't even name.
Does she plan to spend an hour and a half every night on this? he wondered.
For the first time, he felt the tangible reality of having a wife.
Jiang Bin, meanwhile, climbed into bed and turned off the main lights, leaving only a small nightstand lamp. She scrolled through her phone, waiting for him.
Twenty minutes later, Tang Zhisong emerged. He was wearing silk loungewear, his hair slightly damp and messy, giving him a gentle, harmless look that contrasted with his usual elite persona.
"Finished?" she asked. She moved to one side to make room, assuming he was coming to bed.
Instead, Tang Zhisong walked toward the door.
"Get some rest."
Jiang Bin blinked.
"You aren't sleeping?"
He looked back, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
"I’ll sleep in the study."
"..."
The air stilled for a few seconds. Her lips parted as if to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Just then, her phone rang. Tang Zhisong closed the door.
"Goodnight."
As his figure disappeared, she answered the call.
"Cheng Ying, what is it?"
Cheng Ying was her public relations assistant and bestfriend.
"Where are you?"
"At Tang Zhisong’s house."
"No way! You’re finally living together!" Cheng Ying was excited.
Jiang Bin looked at the closed door, her emotions complex.
"Not exactly. We came back to Tang Estate for the holiday. A minute ago, he told me to get some rest and went to sleep in the study."
"Impossible! You’re legally married and he’s just going to leave a beauty like you alone?" Cheng Ying choked.
"Maybe we're just not familiar enough yet?" Jiang Bin suggested, feeling embarrassed.
There was a long silence on the other end.
"Sister, I have a question, and I don't know if I should ask it."
"Ask."
Cheng Ying cleared her throat. "Back in the day, when Zhisong was abroad, women were throwing themselves at him and none of them ever succeeded."
Jiang Bin remembered a gala on Wall Street where she’d seen a girl try to give him flowers, only for him to reject her with a polite but cold smile.
"I’ve heard."
"He’s handsome, rich, and stays away from women... Could there be something wrong with your President Tang?"
Jiang Bin gave a soft cough. She hadn't considered that possibility.
"I don't know."
And she truly didn't.
Translator's Notes:
His voice brushed against her earlobe as softly as the evening breeze.
Jiang Bin responded with a calm, steady 'Okay.'
After hanging up, she sat alone for a moment before packing her laptop bag. She called Uncle Liu, gave him a generous red envelope, and granted him a holiday. "Take these three days to rest. I’ll call you if I need anything."
Jiang Bin pulled out her travel suitcase. Madam Tang had already mentioned that all her skincare products were prepared, so she only needed a few changes of clothes. In truth, she didn't even need those; Madam Tang had already ordered several custom outfits for her. After some back-and-forth, Jiang Bin simply packed some undergarments and important documents. A single small suitcase was enough.
Mu Yun, seeing the lights on in her apartment, called her.
"What are the plans for the next few days?"
In the past, he would have just come over, but now that Jiang Bin was married, he felt it proper to maintain some distance.
He didn't tell Jiang Bin that his Uncle, Lu Xin, had a major surgery tonight and his aunt would be staying at the hospital. He had been asked to look after his younger cousins at the villa, but he was prepared to decline if Jiang Bin needed his company. On Mid-Autumn Festival, he didn't want her to be alone.
"Tang Zhisong is picking me up," Jiang Bin replied. "I’ll be staying with him at the Tang Estate."
Mu Yun paused, then sounded relieved. "That’s good then."
While waiting, Jiang Bin replied to several overseas emails. At 8:10 PM, the doorbell rang. She hurried to open it.
It was Tang Zhisong, looking a bit travel-worn but still as handsome and refined as ever.
"Sorry, I’m a bit late."
"Would you like to come in for a glass of water?" Jiang Bin saw the fatigue in his expression and knew he had rushed back specifically for the holiday.
Tang Zhisong nodded and entered. This time, he had bought a pair of suitable men’s slippers.
He walked to the kitchen island, took the glass she offered, and looked around. He noticed only a small, elegant suitcase and a laptop bag by the sofa.
"Is this all your luggage?"
Meeting his deep gaze, she said candidly, "Mom has arranged everything."
Tang Zhisong said no more. After finishing his water, he proactively picked up her suitcase. Jiang Bin tried to help, but he wouldn't let her. For the first time, walking behind him empty-handed, she felt a trace of what it meant to have a husband.
* * *
At Tang Estate, Madam Tang was waiting at the end of the cobblestone path, beaming with joy.
"Bingbing!" Her son finally hadn't disappointed her. She pulled Jiang Bin into a warm embrace.
While the staff took the luggage inside, Tang Zhisong took a call, watching his wife and mother walk into the house chatting and laughing.
"You two haven't had dinner yet, right? I’ve simmered some soup for you."
Inside, Jiang Bin greeted Tang Zhisong’s father.
"Dad."
The usually stern man offered a rare smile.
"Let’s eat first."
When the maid looked to Madam Tang for instructions regarding the luggage, Madam Tang glanced at her son and shooed them toward the kitchen.
"Zhisong, take Bingbing to wash her hands." She then signaled the maid to take Jiang Bin’s suitcase directly to Tang Zhisong’s bedroom.
The quiet Mr. Tang saw through his wife’s schemes but kept his eyes on his magazine, pretending to notice nothing.
Dinner was a harmonious affair. Madam Tang spent the entire time looking after her daughter-in-law, virtually ignoring her son. Tang Zhisong didn't mind, quietly eating his own meal. Eventually, Madam Tang lost patience with his composed demeanor.
"Peel that shrimp for Bingbing."
While cutting a steak fell under Western etiquette, peeling shrimp was not something Tang Zhisong usually did. However, he didn't argue. He put down his chopsticks, donned gloves, and began peeling for her. Jiang Bin found their mother-son dynamic quite amusing. She had never experienced a family atmosphere like this.
After tea, Madam Tang issued another task:
"Zhisong, show Bingbing around the villa."
Tang Zhisong turned to her. "Would you like to walk through the gardens or see the upstairs?"
"Let’s go upstairs," Jiang Bin said, wanting to settle her luggage.
The villa was massive—over two thousand square meters across four floors. The parents' master suite was on the east side of the third floor, while Tang Zhisong’s quarters occupied the west side of the second floor. Because the house was so large, the two wings were quite distant and private.
Tang Zhisong’s private space spanned over three hundred square meters. To the left were two connected studies—his workspace and a smaller room filled with awards and medals from his youth. To the right were several connected walk-in closets, already filled with the clothes his mother had prepared. Further in, facing south, was a massive master bedroom with double en-suite bathrooms.
As Tang Zhisong stepped into the hallway to take a call, Jiang Bin explored the space. Her head began to throb slightly when she realized something.
There was only one bedroom.
How were they supposed to sleep?
The design of Tang Estate was older, with a metallic, luminous quality to the lighting that felt like flowing moonlight. The two of them stood a short distance apart. Jiang Bin, in her sharp navy blazer and wine-red shirt, looked elegant and formidable. Tang Zhisong, though still in his suit, looked more relaxed than usual. This was likely his "at-home" persona.
Since her luggage was in the master bedroom, it was clearly his mother's intent. She looked toward the east wing, wondering if there was another arrangement. Tang Zhisong, ever perceptive, knew what she was thinking. That wing was reserved for future grandchildren.
"The east side has a piano room, an activity room, and a small study. Do you want to see?" he asked.
The subtext was clear: there were no guest rooms.
Their eyes met. Jiang Bin understood immediately. Without a hint of a blush, she pointed toward the master bedroom.
"I’ll go unpack my things then."
"Call me if you need anything," he said simply before heading into his study.
He assumed she had been looking for a guest room. Since they were still relatively new to this and lacked an emotional foundation, he felt it would be disrespectful to force them to sleep together immediately. He planned to sleep in the study.
* * *
Inside the master suite, Jiang Bin partially closed the door. It was a luxurious, expansive space. Since he had brought her here to stay, she assumed he intended for them to live as a real couple, and she had no interest in maintaining a "platonic marriage" indefinitely. They were both mature, successful individuals who understood the nature of their union. After all, grown adults have nothing to avoid.
After organizing her things, she checked the bathroom. She wasn't surprised to see it was fully stocked. She then looked at the king-sized bed. It was large enough for three or four people. She paused before walking towards the nightstand drawers to check for certain "essentials", but both were empty.
As she was wondering about it, Tang Zhisong’s voice came from the doorway.
"What are you looking for?"
Jiang Bin jumped, though she turned around with a perfectly calm expression.
"I just dropped something." She certainly couldn't tell him she was looking for condoms.
"Did you find it?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe, his face unreadable.
"It’s quite small. I’ll ask the maid to help later."
"Let me know if you're missing anything," he said smoothly.
How can I tell you if you haven't prepared any? Jiang Bin thought, though she merely smiled.
"I’m not missing anything for now."
He studied her for a moment before nodding and leaving.
* * *
Later, Jiang Bin went downstairs to join Madam Tang. Halfway down the stairs, she heard the older couple bickering.
"At your age, why are you always watching such flashy nonsense?" Mr. Tang grumbled.
Madam Tang, who loved idol dramas and often cried during the emotional scenes, snapped back, "What nonsense? It’s only because you’re so boring that I have to kill time with these shows!"
When Mr. Tang tried to leave with his magazine, she hissed, "Don't you dare leave! Our daughter-in-law just arrived today. What will it look like if you hide away?"
He reluctantly sat back down, keeping his distance.
"Turn the volume down."
She turned it up.
Jiang Bin watched from the shadows and couldn't help but laugh. This, she realized, was what a normal married couple looked like.
When she finally joined them, Madam Tang waved her over to watch the drama. "Look, Bingbing, isn't the male lead handsome?"
Jiang Bin glanced at the screen. The actor was the gentle, scholarly type—refined and soft.
"Very nice," she agreed.
When Tang Zhisong came down, he saw them critiquing the show. He caught a glimpse of the actor, a "pretty boy" type. His lips thinned as he sat by his father.
"Your mother is something else," Mr. Tang whispered to his son.
"It’s one thing to watch it herself, but she’s going to lead your wife astray..."
"What was that?" Madam Tang called out.
"I’m just watching a show. Are you actually jealous?"
Mr. Tang’s face turned bright red.
"Jealous? Me?"
Embarrassed in front of Jiang Bin, he took his magazine and stormed off. At the stairs, he turned back for one last word: "It’s late! Go to bed!"
Madam Tang, wanting to give the young couple some privacy, stood up with her laptop.
"Bingbing, go to bed early. Don't worry about waking up early tomorrow. You and Zhisong both need your rest."
Once they were gone, the living room felt quiet.
"Do they always bicker like that?" Jiang Bin asked.
"More or less," Tang Zhisong said, pouring some water. "It rarely stops."
He offered her a glass. "Water?"
"Yes, thank you."
To Jiang Bin, the parents' relationship was a unique kind of sweetness. She doubted she and Tang Zhisong would ever bicker like that.
* * *
At 10:00 PM, Jiang Bin went upstairs for her skincare routine. Tang Zhisong returned to his study for a meeting. She locked the bathroom door, a habit in a new house, and spent an hour bathing and doing her hair.
Tang Zhisong, having no experience living with a woman, finished his video conference and assumed she was done. When he found the bedroom empty and the bathroom door still locked, he had no choice but to wait. Another thirty minutes passed.
Worried something had happened, he knocked.
"Jiang Bin?"
She finished her last step and opened the door, a scent of jasmine wafting out. Tang Zhisong’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"You were in there so long, I thought something was wrong."
Freshly bathed, her skin looked like a peeled lychee, clear and radiant. Without makeup, her eyes were bright and less "aggressive," giving her a softer, more delicate look. He found himself looking a few moments too long.
She was wearing a sleeveless long dress, neither casual loungewear nor formal attire. She wasn't yet comfortable wearing a silk slip in front of him.
"Sorry, I took a while. I’ve held you up." She stepped out to give him the bathroom.
When Tang Zhisong entered, he saw his once-minimalist space transformed. It was filled with various bottles and jars, two cabinets' worth, most of which he couldn't even name.
Does she plan to spend an hour and a half every night on this? he wondered.
For the first time, he felt the tangible reality of having a wife.
Jiang Bin, meanwhile, climbed into bed and turned off the main lights, leaving only a small nightstand lamp. She scrolled through her phone, waiting for him.
Twenty minutes later, Tang Zhisong emerged. He was wearing silk loungewear, his hair slightly damp and messy, giving him a gentle, harmless look that contrasted with his usual elite persona.
"Finished?" she asked. She moved to one side to make room, assuming he was coming to bed.
Instead, Tang Zhisong walked toward the door.
"Get some rest."
Jiang Bin blinked.
"You aren't sleeping?"
He looked back, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
"I’ll sleep in the study."
"..."
The air stilled for a few seconds. Her lips parted as if to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Just then, her phone rang. Tang Zhisong closed the door.
"Goodnight."
As his figure disappeared, she answered the call.
"Cheng Ying, what is it?"
Cheng Ying was her public relations assistant and bestfriend.
"Where are you?"
"At Tang Zhisong’s house."
"No way! You’re finally living together!" Cheng Ying was excited.
Jiang Bin looked at the closed door, her emotions complex.
"Not exactly. We came back to Tang Estate for the holiday. A minute ago, he told me to get some rest and went to sleep in the study."
"Impossible! You’re legally married and he’s just going to leave a beauty like you alone?" Cheng Ying choked.
"Maybe we're just not familiar enough yet?" Jiang Bin suggested, feeling embarrassed.
There was a long silence on the other end.
"Sister, I have a question, and I don't know if I should ask it."
"Ask."
Cheng Ying cleared her throat. "Back in the day, when Zhisong was abroad, women were throwing themselves at him and none of them ever succeeded."
Jiang Bin remembered a gala on Wall Street where she’d seen a girl try to give him flowers, only for him to reject her with a polite but cold smile.
"I’ve heard."
"He’s handsome, rich, and stays away from women... Could there be something wrong with your President Tang?"
Jiang Bin gave a soft cough. She hadn't considered that possibility.
"I don't know."
And she truly didn't.
Translator's Notes:
- Binbin vs. Bingbing: Just a refresher, while Binbin (彬彬) is her standard, social nickname derived directly from her given name Jiang Bin (江彬), the more intimate Bingbing (冰冰) is a childhood nickname mostly used by those who have a slightly closer relationship with her.
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