The Marriage Harbor CH14
Chapter 14: My Wife
Cheng Ying was losing her mind. "No way! A man that handsome—if he actually can't, I’m going to be anxious on your behalf."
Jiang Bin remained remarkably composed.
"It’s fine."
Based on her understanding of Tang Zhisong, she figured that having her luggage moved into the master bedroom was likely Madam Tang’s doing. Tang Zhisong was a man of character, he probably didn't want things to move too fast. Perhaps his feelings for her simply hadn't reached that stage yet. Jiang Bin was rational and calm enough not to waste her time over-analyzing him.
"Sister, shouldn't we find a way to test him?" Cheng Ying paced her room frantically.
"This concerns the happiness of the rest of your life!"
Jiang Bin pressed her brow, ending the topic.
"I'll play it by ear. Anyway, why did you call me?" They discussed matters in North City for a while before hanging up near midnight.
Once the lights were out, the room fell into total darkness. The bedding was saturated with his scent, a crisp fragrance mixed with notes of pine. It was unfamiliar and strangely alluring. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to fall asleep.
Waking up in the new environment at 6:00 AM, Jiang Bin spent an hour on her morning routine. Seeing the study door open but no sign of Tang Zhisong, she learned from the maid that he had gone for a morning run. Downstairs, she joined Madam Tang to help with breakfast.
"Mom, what’s the schedule for today?"
Madam Tang explained that today was the family gathering. At the Tang Estate, Mid-Autumn Festival was an event that rivaled New Year’s Eve. Having lived abroad for years, the elder Tangs placed even more weight on traditional festivals to maintain their cultural identity.
Realizing this wasn't a casual family dinner but a formal gathering second only to a high-society salon, Jiang Bin went back upstairs. She swapped her casual tweed set for a simple black-and-gold evening gown, then accessorized with pearl earrings and a diamond necklace. It was sophisticated without being gaudy. Madam Tang was immensely pleased. Her daughter-in-law's social intelligence was impeccable.
* * *
By noon, the family of four headed to the grandfather’s villa next door. With several branches of the Tang family present, the guest list exceeded a hundred people. Tang Zhisong and Jiang Bin were undeniably the focal point of the event.
Tang Zhisong, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, complemented Jiang Bin’s elegant gown perfectly. He was upright and refined, though naturally reserved. Jiang Bin navigated the room with ease. Her radiant smile and poised conversation commanded the space.
"It’s the first time I’ve seen a woman stand beside Zhisong without being overshadowed," Tang Jing whispered to her younger sister, Tang You.
"Her looks are one thing, but even their auras are perfectly matched!"
Tang Jing, Zhisong’s cousin who managed the family's Mediterranean hotel ventures, approached them.
"Binbin! I heard you spent time in France?"
"I handled two projects there representing Meirong PR," Jiang Bin replied with a smile.
"I have two yachts in the Mediterranean," Tang Jing offered. "Next time it's Fashion Week, have Zhisong bring you over. I'll host you personally."
* * *
After the banquet, Tang Jing pulled Jiang Bin to the card tables. The younger generation of the Tang family often played a few rounds of Macau-style poker during these gatherings.
"To be honest, I’m not very good at this," Jiang Bin admitted as the chips were laid out.
"Don't worry, Sister Jing will teach you," a Tang cousin laughed. Tang You leaned in, whispering, "Don't let them fool you, Sister Binbin. They just want your money. Brother Zhisong beat them all before, and now they want revenge through you."
Jiang Bin smiled but felt a bit uncertain. With the acquisition of Changjing Film looming, she didn't have much liquid cash to lose.
"I'll try a few rounds."
Tang Jing tried to "feed" Jiang Bin good cards, but the others caught on and concentrated their fire on Tang Jing until she tapped out. As Jiang Bin soldiered on alone, a crowd began to gather.
Tang Zhisong, having finished a conversation about investments, looked over and noticed her chip stack was dwindling. He walked to a cabinet, retrieved a case of high-value chips, and brought them over.
"Zhisong, what are you doing here?" the man opposite Jiang Bin frowned.
"President Jiang is doing great. She doesn't need your help." Everyone hated playing with Tang Zhisong because he was too smart and never lost.
Tang Zhisong set the case of chips on the table, his tone cool and indifferent.
"I’m not here to play. I’m just making sure you don't bully my wife."
Jiang Bin glanced at him. It was the first time he hadn't used a formal title. Hearing him call her "wife" in such a casual, protective way felt significantly more intimate.
Tang Zhisong sat directly behind her. He draped his arm over the back of her chair, effectively shielding her from the rest of the room. Jiang Bin instinctively leaned toward him.
"How should I play this hand?"
"Play whatever you like," he murmured.
She played a card at random, and the man opposite her cheered.
"I win!" Jiang Bin watched ten chips get swept away.
"What is the value of one chip?" she whispered, turning to Tang Zhisong.
"One hundred thousand."
Jiang Bin’s heart skipped a beat. She had just lost a million in a single hand. Even having been raised in luxury, the Tang family’s casual extravagance was eye-opening. Her losses today could easily reach the tens of millions.
Tang Zhisong casually leaned back and emptied the entire case of chips onto the table.
"Lose as much as you want," he said in a relaxed, drawling tone.
That single sentence made it clear that everyone else was merely there to keep Jiang Bin entertained. The table erupted in teasing.
"Zhisong is different now that he has a wife!"
"Teach me," Jiang Bin whispered to him. The warmth of her breath hosted over his skin. "I don't want to lose."
She didn't want to lose this game, nor did she want to lose in the "game" between the two of them.
* * *
By the time they left, Jiang Bin had lost five million. She wasn't upset about the money itself, but about losing his money. Tang Zhisong, seeing her rare look of distress, comforted her.
"Don't take it to heart. That was money I won from them anyway. I’m just giving it back."
"Still, I shouldn't lose someone else's money," Jiang Bin muttered.
Tang Zhisong paused at the word "someone else".
Back at his wing of the Tang Estate, Jiang Bin went upstairs to change out of her smoke-scented clothes. When she emerged, Tang Zhisong was standing by the study door holding two cards.
"This black card is a credit card. It has no limit and no restrictions. Use it however you like," he said calmly.
"The diamond gold card is a cash account with a significant balance. That's for you as well. I have other accounts in San Francisco, and I'll list my private investments for you when I have time."
When they signed the prenuptial agreement, it was a cold calculation to protect their respective companies' stock prices from the volatility of a high-profile divorce. It wasn't because he was stingy. His private fortune was hers to command.
Jiang Bin was stunned. Aside from her grandparents, she had never spent anyone else's money. She hadn't planned to start now, not even with Tang Zhisong.
However, she knew this marriage was delicate. Refusing him now would only widen the gap between them. To manage a relationship, one had to be tactful.
Jiang Bin accepted the cards.
"Thank you."
Translator's Notes:
Cheng Ying was losing her mind. "No way! A man that handsome—if he actually can't, I’m going to be anxious on your behalf."
Jiang Bin remained remarkably composed.
"It’s fine."
Based on her understanding of Tang Zhisong, she figured that having her luggage moved into the master bedroom was likely Madam Tang’s doing. Tang Zhisong was a man of character, he probably didn't want things to move too fast. Perhaps his feelings for her simply hadn't reached that stage yet. Jiang Bin was rational and calm enough not to waste her time over-analyzing him.
"Sister, shouldn't we find a way to test him?" Cheng Ying paced her room frantically.
"This concerns the happiness of the rest of your life!"
Jiang Bin pressed her brow, ending the topic.
"I'll play it by ear. Anyway, why did you call me?" They discussed matters in North City for a while before hanging up near midnight.
Once the lights were out, the room fell into total darkness. The bedding was saturated with his scent, a crisp fragrance mixed with notes of pine. It was unfamiliar and strangely alluring. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to fall asleep.
Waking up in the new environment at 6:00 AM, Jiang Bin spent an hour on her morning routine. Seeing the study door open but no sign of Tang Zhisong, she learned from the maid that he had gone for a morning run. Downstairs, she joined Madam Tang to help with breakfast.
"Mom, what’s the schedule for today?"
Madam Tang explained that today was the family gathering. At the Tang Estate, Mid-Autumn Festival was an event that rivaled New Year’s Eve. Having lived abroad for years, the elder Tangs placed even more weight on traditional festivals to maintain their cultural identity.
Realizing this wasn't a casual family dinner but a formal gathering second only to a high-society salon, Jiang Bin went back upstairs. She swapped her casual tweed set for a simple black-and-gold evening gown, then accessorized with pearl earrings and a diamond necklace. It was sophisticated without being gaudy. Madam Tang was immensely pleased. Her daughter-in-law's social intelligence was impeccable.
* * *
By noon, the family of four headed to the grandfather’s villa next door. With several branches of the Tang family present, the guest list exceeded a hundred people. Tang Zhisong and Jiang Bin were undeniably the focal point of the event.
Tang Zhisong, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, complemented Jiang Bin’s elegant gown perfectly. He was upright and refined, though naturally reserved. Jiang Bin navigated the room with ease. Her radiant smile and poised conversation commanded the space.
"It’s the first time I’ve seen a woman stand beside Zhisong without being overshadowed," Tang Jing whispered to her younger sister, Tang You.
"Her looks are one thing, but even their auras are perfectly matched!"
Tang Jing, Zhisong’s cousin who managed the family's Mediterranean hotel ventures, approached them.
"Binbin! I heard you spent time in France?"
"I handled two projects there representing Meirong PR," Jiang Bin replied with a smile.
"I have two yachts in the Mediterranean," Tang Jing offered. "Next time it's Fashion Week, have Zhisong bring you over. I'll host you personally."
* * *
After the banquet, Tang Jing pulled Jiang Bin to the card tables. The younger generation of the Tang family often played a few rounds of Macau-style poker during these gatherings.
"To be honest, I’m not very good at this," Jiang Bin admitted as the chips were laid out.
"Don't worry, Sister Jing will teach you," a Tang cousin laughed. Tang You leaned in, whispering, "Don't let them fool you, Sister Binbin. They just want your money. Brother Zhisong beat them all before, and now they want revenge through you."
Jiang Bin smiled but felt a bit uncertain. With the acquisition of Changjing Film looming, she didn't have much liquid cash to lose.
"I'll try a few rounds."
Tang Jing tried to "feed" Jiang Bin good cards, but the others caught on and concentrated their fire on Tang Jing until she tapped out. As Jiang Bin soldiered on alone, a crowd began to gather.
Tang Zhisong, having finished a conversation about investments, looked over and noticed her chip stack was dwindling. He walked to a cabinet, retrieved a case of high-value chips, and brought them over.
"Zhisong, what are you doing here?" the man opposite Jiang Bin frowned.
"President Jiang is doing great. She doesn't need your help." Everyone hated playing with Tang Zhisong because he was too smart and never lost.
Tang Zhisong set the case of chips on the table, his tone cool and indifferent.
"I’m not here to play. I’m just making sure you don't bully my wife."
Jiang Bin glanced at him. It was the first time he hadn't used a formal title. Hearing him call her "wife" in such a casual, protective way felt significantly more intimate.
Tang Zhisong sat directly behind her. He draped his arm over the back of her chair, effectively shielding her from the rest of the room. Jiang Bin instinctively leaned toward him.
"How should I play this hand?"
"Play whatever you like," he murmured.
She played a card at random, and the man opposite her cheered.
"I win!" Jiang Bin watched ten chips get swept away.
"What is the value of one chip?" she whispered, turning to Tang Zhisong.
"One hundred thousand."
Jiang Bin’s heart skipped a beat. She had just lost a million in a single hand. Even having been raised in luxury, the Tang family’s casual extravagance was eye-opening. Her losses today could easily reach the tens of millions.
Tang Zhisong casually leaned back and emptied the entire case of chips onto the table.
"Lose as much as you want," he said in a relaxed, drawling tone.
That single sentence made it clear that everyone else was merely there to keep Jiang Bin entertained. The table erupted in teasing.
"Zhisong is different now that he has a wife!"
"Teach me," Jiang Bin whispered to him. The warmth of her breath hosted over his skin. "I don't want to lose."
She didn't want to lose this game, nor did she want to lose in the "game" between the two of them.
* * *
By the time they left, Jiang Bin had lost five million. She wasn't upset about the money itself, but about losing his money. Tang Zhisong, seeing her rare look of distress, comforted her.
"Don't take it to heart. That was money I won from them anyway. I’m just giving it back."
"Still, I shouldn't lose someone else's money," Jiang Bin muttered.
Tang Zhisong paused at the word "someone else".
Back at his wing of the Tang Estate, Jiang Bin went upstairs to change out of her smoke-scented clothes. When she emerged, Tang Zhisong was standing by the study door holding two cards.
"This black card is a credit card. It has no limit and no restrictions. Use it however you like," he said calmly.
"The diamond gold card is a cash account with a significant balance. That's for you as well. I have other accounts in San Francisco, and I'll list my private investments for you when I have time."
When they signed the prenuptial agreement, it was a cold calculation to protect their respective companies' stock prices from the volatility of a high-profile divorce. It wasn't because he was stingy. His private fortune was hers to command.
Jiang Bin was stunned. Aside from her grandparents, she had never spent anyone else's money. She hadn't planned to start now, not even with Tang Zhisong.
However, she knew this marriage was delicate. Refusing him now would only widen the gap between them. To manage a relationship, one had to be tactful.
Jiang Bin accepted the cards.
"Thank you."
Translator's Notes:
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