The Marriage Harbor CH15
Chapter 15: This small indulgence, Of Course he'd grant it.
Money is a vital pillar of a marriage; like children, it serves as a powerful bond between a husband and wife.
Accepting those two cards meant the original boundaries of their agreement had been breached. Back in the bedroom, Jiang Bin studied the cards for a moment before tucking them into the deepest pocket of her wallet.
The price of playing cards all through Mid-Autumn Day was a night of frantic overtime. San Francisco didn't observe the holiday, and after dinner, Tang Zhisong didn't emerge from his study. Jiang Bin spent a token amount of time with her mother-in-law before returning to the small workspace in the master suite to handle her own tasks.
The following day, Tang Zhisong headed to the office while Jiang Bin went to visit the elder Mr. Qiu.
The old man was delighted. "How did you find the time?"
"No matter how busy I am, I have to come see you," Jiang Bin said, carrying the holiday gifts inside herself.
Seeing her arrive alone, Mr. Qiu smiled but didn't pry. He remembered how inseparable he and his late wife had been—constantly together except for trips to the restroom. Even fifteen years after her passing, he couldn't bring himself to find a new companion. That kind of lifelong devotion was like the autumn sun, unreachable, yet enough to sustain him for a lifetime.
"How are things at the Tang Estate?"
Jiang Bin never waited for Mr. Qiu to serve her. She went to the kitchen to brew her own coffee.
"Very well. It’s a large family, and everyone is very warm. Though, I did lose five million of Tang Zhisong's money at the card table yesterday."
For some reason, she found it easier to be casual with Mr. Qiu than with her own husband.
The old man laughed heartily from his reclining chair.
"To him, that’s not even a drop in the bucket. Did he so much as blink?"
Jiang Bin smiled, patting her pocket.
"Not only did he not blink, he gave me his savings and credit cards." She wasn't bragging; she wanted Mr. Qiu to know she was doing well so he wouldn't worry.
Mr. Qiu wasn't easily fooled. The fact that Jiang Bin was carrying Zhisong’s wealth but hadn't mentioned repaying the loan meant that, between the two men, she had finally chosen her husband.
Still, he was impressed.
"He’s a good man. Take it slow."
* * *
By the time she returned to the Tang Estate, Tang Zhisong wasn't back yet. Jiang Bin was promptly dragged out for a shopping trip by Tang Jing and Tang You.
When Tang Zhisong finally returned that night, Jiang Bin knocked on his study door. She stayed at the threshold.
"Do you have time tomorrow?"
His schedule was always packed.
"What is it?"
"Madam Tang is urging us to visit the Lu family tomorrow," she explained. A Mid-Autumn visit to the mother-in-law's home was traditional.
Tang Zhisong, feeling a twinge of guilt for forgetting, nodded.
"Alright. I'll make time."
The next morning at nine, they set out. Aside from the driver and assistant, they were accompanied by a private butler. Both were busy on the road. Tang Zhisong was on calls while Jiang Bin managed an endless stream of messages in her work group.
As they neared the house, Jiang Bin spoke up.
"Let me give you a quick rundown of my mother's situation." She hadn't mentioned it earlier, assuming he was too busy and that this would be a one-time formal visit.
"Go ahead." Tang Zhisong removed his glasses to listen attentively.
"Uncle Lu is the best cardiac surgeon in Shanghai. Perhaps you've heard of him?"
"I have."
"My mother is a painter and a guest professor at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts. My half-sister, Lu Yingying, is twenty-two and a graduate student in the U.S. She's back for the holiday. My brother is eight and still in primary school. Also, my cousin Mu Yun—whom you've met—will likely be there."
Tang Zhisong didn't react much. His friend Cheng Yanjun had once joked that marrying Jiang Bin meant he wouldn't have to grovel before his in-laws, unlike Cheng, who had become a glorified errand boy to please his wife's parents. Given that Jiang Bin’s parents were essentially non-existent in her life, Tang Zhisong found the situation hard to judge.
"By the way, do you drink juice?" Jiang Bin asked with a wry smile.
Tang Zhisong looked up.
"Not usually. I don't like sweets."
"My mother has a quirk. She loves making juice. Any guest in her home is subjected to a glass she’s pressed herself. If you don't want it, I'll handle it for you." She didn't want him to offend her mother by refusing.
Tang Zhisong nodded, acknowledging the tip.
* * *
As the car pulled into the villa's gates, Lu Xin and his young son came out to greet them.
"Zhisong, Bingbing, it’s so good to see you." He beamed at the couple.
Tang Zhisong, in his signature black suit, stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Hello, Uncle Lu." Though they weren't close and Lu Xin wasn't his "official" father-in-law, calling him "Uncle" instead of "Director Lu" was a significant gesture of respect.
Jiang Bin joined them.
"Uncle Lu, I hope we didn't interrupt any surgeries today."
"No, no," Lu Xin laughed. He didn't mention that he had handed a major surgery over to the vice-director just to be home for Tang Zhisong’s visit. Given the global influence of Ningsheng Technology, even government officials treated Zhisong with high regard, let alone a private hospital director.
"Chen-chen, greet your sister and brother-in-law," Lu Xin urged.
Lu Chen looked at Tang Zhisong with a mix of curiosity and intimidation. He managed a quiet "Brother-in-law." Jiang Bin ruffled the boy's hair.
"You've grown again."
Mu Lingshu stood at the doorway, her smile neither overly warm nor cold. Tang Zhisong approached and greeted her as "Mother-in-law."
Inside, Mu Yun emerged from the kitchen.
"Binbin. President Tang."
Tang Zhisong offered a curt nod and a "Doctor Mu" in return. As they settled in the living room, Jiang Bin sat directly next to Tang Zhisong. Only her bag separated them. Their clothes brushed in an unprecedented show of proximity. Tang Zhisong sensed she was doing this for a reason.
"What would you like, President Tang?" Mu Yun asked.
"Coffee, tea, or juice?" As a frequent guest, he acted as a co-host.
"Americano, thank you," Tang Zhisong replied.
As Mu Yun turned away, Tang Zhisong noted that the cousin hadn't asked Jiang Bin what she wanted. It meant Mu Yun already knew. Moments later, Mu Yun returned with a coffee and a cup of black tea. Tang Zhisong’s gaze lingered on the tea before he thanked him.
Tang Zhisong wasn't the type to fawningly seek favor, even in a mother-in-law's home. He moved the conversation to medical technology, specifically the application of AI in healthcare. Lu Xin was fascinated to learn about Zhisong’s collaboration with the Els Medical School.
"I know Professor Michael there!" Lu Xin said excitedly. Tang Zhisong had his assistant bring over a laptop to demonstrate the technology. The two men soon disappeared into the study to review the technicalities, leaving the coffee to grow cold.
* * *
In the kitchen, Jiang Bin found her mother and the maid preparing lunch.
"Your Uncle Lu said you spent the holiday at the Tang Estate?" Mu Lingshu casually asked as she washed grapes.
"Yes, it was quite lively," Jiang Bin replied, helping with the plates.
Mu Lingshu’s tone turned cold. "Was it exhausting?"
Jiang Bin’s smile faltered. "Mom..."
Mu Lingshu glanced toward the study. She had been observing Tang Zhisong since he arrived. He was undoubtedly exceptional, but he sat in their home like a high-ranking VIP rather than a visiting son-in-law. It reminded her too much of Jiang Chengxiao—Jiang Bin’s father.
"Seeing you two reminds me of your father and me," Mu Lingshu sighed. "And back then, your father wasn't even as powerful as Tang Zhisong is now. Marriage isn't a business, Bingbing. It's about daily life. You had better choices. Why must you repeat my mistakes?"
Mu Lingshu loathed her own arranged marriage. She could forgive herself because she was forced by elders, but Jiang Bin had jumped in willingly. Despite her failings as a mother, she truly wanted her daughter to be happy.
"Mom, everyone has different priorities," Jiang Bin said firmly. "You value emotion and family. I value fulfilling Grandfather’s wishes and my career. You can't force your values on me. Besides, things are good between us. I’m very satisfied with him."
To Jiang Bin, Tang Zhisong’s willingness to back her up and share his fortune proved he was a man of character. Emotions were fleeting, character was what lasted. Unlike her parents, who both had other lovers, she and Zhisong could at least maintain a life of mutual respect.
"Good? You two look stiff just sitting together," Mu Lingshu snapped.
"You don't even know what he likes to drink. There’s no physical touch. You aren't a real couple, are you?"
Jiang Bin was speechless. However, she knew how to handle her mother.
She took a slow sip of tea and asked, "How are those blind dates you arranged for my cousin going?"
Mu Lingshu stiffened.
She meddled in Mu Yun’s marriage prospects constantly, yet she hadn't introduced a single person to her own daughter before the Tang arrangement. The comment silenced her, and the mother and daughter parted on their usual sour note.
* * *
Lunch was served on a long table. Lu Xin remained the most enthusiastic, eager to pilot the AI technology at his hospital. When it came time for soup, Jiang Bin asked Tang Zhisong what he preferred.
"Mushroom soup," he said. He disliked the medicinal smell of the chicken soup and the fishiness of the fish soup.
Jiang Bin served him the mushroom soup but filled her own bowl with the herbal chicken soup. Tang Zhisong noticed that no one else touched the chicken soup. It had been prepared specifically for her.
"Why isn't there any seafood?" Jiang Bin asked. It was her favorite.
"Did you forget how sick you got after eating crawfish last time?" Mu Yun replied.
"That wasn't because of the crawfish," Jiang Bin argued, though Mu Yun clearly knew more about her physical limits than she cared to admit.
After the meal, Mu Lingshu went to the tea room to make juice. Remembering the earlier warning, Jiang Bin answered for Zhisong: "A blueberry juice."
She planned to drink it for him later.
While Jiang Bin was in the garden picking carnations for Madam Tang, she returned to find the juice ready. She saw Tang Zhisong, prompted by a sense of duty toward his mother-in-law, take a small sip of the blueberry juice while talking to Lu Xin.
When Jiang Bin came back inside, she reflexively reached for the glass by Zhisong’s hand and began to drink it, hoping to finish it before her mother noticed.
Thinking she didn't realize he had already taken a sip, Tang Zhisong froze. He watched her drink from the same glass, his Adam's apple bobbing as a faint heat climbed behind his ears. Whatever Lu Xin was saying faded into the background. The slight irritation he’d felt earlier vanished instantly.
Mu Yun, however, noticed the gesture. He knew how uncompromising Jiang Bin was about her habits. As the "Pearl of Shanghai," she never touched anything someone else had used. Seeing her share a glass with Zhisong was a loud, silent statement.
* * *
The trip back was pleasant. When Jiang Bin asked if he enjoyed talking to Uncle Lu, Tang Zhisong called him a "medical genius."
As they neared the Tang Estate, Tang Zhisong received an urgent call and had to rush to Ningsheng Technology. Jiang Bin spent the evening playing cards with the cousins, quickly mastering the game.
"You two are geniuses," Tang Jing grumbled. "It took me thirty million in losses to learn this, and President Jiang gets it in a day."
At dinner, Madam Tang complained about her son’s workaholism.
"He only stays here for holidays. Normally he lives at Emerald Heights."
Jiang Bin paused.
"He doesn't come back during the week?"
"It's too far from the office," Madam Tang replied. "But you young people need your own space anyway."
On Monday morning, Tang Zhisong drove Jiang Bin to work before heading to his own office. He was on a cold, professional call the entire way, but as she moved to get out, he rolled down the window.
"What would you like for lunch? I'll have someone send it over."
"I want seafood." Jiang Bin said. Mu Yun had always restricted her diet, but now that she was married, she wanted to indulge herself.
Tang Zhisong nodded. This small indulgence, of course he'll grant it.
As the Cullinan sped away, Jiang Bin headed up to her office. It wasn't until 6:30 PM that her driver, Uncle Liu, called. "Where are we staying tonight, Miss?"
Jiang Bin looked out the window at the Ningsheng Technology building across the way. The holiday was over. Do they continue to live apart, or was it time to move into Emerald Heights?
"Eat dinner at the cafeteria first, Uncle Liu," she said. "I’m going to work a bit longer."
She was waiting for Tang Zhisong’s call.
Money is a vital pillar of a marriage; like children, it serves as a powerful bond between a husband and wife.
Accepting those two cards meant the original boundaries of their agreement had been breached. Back in the bedroom, Jiang Bin studied the cards for a moment before tucking them into the deepest pocket of her wallet.
The price of playing cards all through Mid-Autumn Day was a night of frantic overtime. San Francisco didn't observe the holiday, and after dinner, Tang Zhisong didn't emerge from his study. Jiang Bin spent a token amount of time with her mother-in-law before returning to the small workspace in the master suite to handle her own tasks.
The following day, Tang Zhisong headed to the office while Jiang Bin went to visit the elder Mr. Qiu.
The old man was delighted. "How did you find the time?"
"No matter how busy I am, I have to come see you," Jiang Bin said, carrying the holiday gifts inside herself.
Seeing her arrive alone, Mr. Qiu smiled but didn't pry. He remembered how inseparable he and his late wife had been—constantly together except for trips to the restroom. Even fifteen years after her passing, he couldn't bring himself to find a new companion. That kind of lifelong devotion was like the autumn sun, unreachable, yet enough to sustain him for a lifetime.
"How are things at the Tang Estate?"
Jiang Bin never waited for Mr. Qiu to serve her. She went to the kitchen to brew her own coffee.
"Very well. It’s a large family, and everyone is very warm. Though, I did lose five million of Tang Zhisong's money at the card table yesterday."
For some reason, she found it easier to be casual with Mr. Qiu than with her own husband.
The old man laughed heartily from his reclining chair.
"To him, that’s not even a drop in the bucket. Did he so much as blink?"
Jiang Bin smiled, patting her pocket.
"Not only did he not blink, he gave me his savings and credit cards." She wasn't bragging; she wanted Mr. Qiu to know she was doing well so he wouldn't worry.
Mr. Qiu wasn't easily fooled. The fact that Jiang Bin was carrying Zhisong’s wealth but hadn't mentioned repaying the loan meant that, between the two men, she had finally chosen her husband.
Still, he was impressed.
"He’s a good man. Take it slow."
* * *
By the time she returned to the Tang Estate, Tang Zhisong wasn't back yet. Jiang Bin was promptly dragged out for a shopping trip by Tang Jing and Tang You.
When Tang Zhisong finally returned that night, Jiang Bin knocked on his study door. She stayed at the threshold.
"Do you have time tomorrow?"
His schedule was always packed.
"What is it?"
"Madam Tang is urging us to visit the Lu family tomorrow," she explained. A Mid-Autumn visit to the mother-in-law's home was traditional.
Tang Zhisong, feeling a twinge of guilt for forgetting, nodded.
"Alright. I'll make time."
The next morning at nine, they set out. Aside from the driver and assistant, they were accompanied by a private butler. Both were busy on the road. Tang Zhisong was on calls while Jiang Bin managed an endless stream of messages in her work group.
As they neared the house, Jiang Bin spoke up.
"Let me give you a quick rundown of my mother's situation." She hadn't mentioned it earlier, assuming he was too busy and that this would be a one-time formal visit.
"Go ahead." Tang Zhisong removed his glasses to listen attentively.
"Uncle Lu is the best cardiac surgeon in Shanghai. Perhaps you've heard of him?"
"I have."
"My mother is a painter and a guest professor at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts. My half-sister, Lu Yingying, is twenty-two and a graduate student in the U.S. She's back for the holiday. My brother is eight and still in primary school. Also, my cousin Mu Yun—whom you've met—will likely be there."
Tang Zhisong didn't react much. His friend Cheng Yanjun had once joked that marrying Jiang Bin meant he wouldn't have to grovel before his in-laws, unlike Cheng, who had become a glorified errand boy to please his wife's parents. Given that Jiang Bin’s parents were essentially non-existent in her life, Tang Zhisong found the situation hard to judge.
"By the way, do you drink juice?" Jiang Bin asked with a wry smile.
Tang Zhisong looked up.
"Not usually. I don't like sweets."
"My mother has a quirk. She loves making juice. Any guest in her home is subjected to a glass she’s pressed herself. If you don't want it, I'll handle it for you." She didn't want him to offend her mother by refusing.
Tang Zhisong nodded, acknowledging the tip.
* * *
As the car pulled into the villa's gates, Lu Xin and his young son came out to greet them.
"Zhisong, Bingbing, it’s so good to see you." He beamed at the couple.
Tang Zhisong, in his signature black suit, stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Hello, Uncle Lu." Though they weren't close and Lu Xin wasn't his "official" father-in-law, calling him "Uncle" instead of "Director Lu" was a significant gesture of respect.
Jiang Bin joined them.
"Uncle Lu, I hope we didn't interrupt any surgeries today."
"No, no," Lu Xin laughed. He didn't mention that he had handed a major surgery over to the vice-director just to be home for Tang Zhisong’s visit. Given the global influence of Ningsheng Technology, even government officials treated Zhisong with high regard, let alone a private hospital director.
"Chen-chen, greet your sister and brother-in-law," Lu Xin urged.
Lu Chen looked at Tang Zhisong with a mix of curiosity and intimidation. He managed a quiet "Brother-in-law." Jiang Bin ruffled the boy's hair.
"You've grown again."
Mu Lingshu stood at the doorway, her smile neither overly warm nor cold. Tang Zhisong approached and greeted her as "Mother-in-law."
Inside, Mu Yun emerged from the kitchen.
"Binbin. President Tang."
Tang Zhisong offered a curt nod and a "Doctor Mu" in return. As they settled in the living room, Jiang Bin sat directly next to Tang Zhisong. Only her bag separated them. Their clothes brushed in an unprecedented show of proximity. Tang Zhisong sensed she was doing this for a reason.
"What would you like, President Tang?" Mu Yun asked.
"Coffee, tea, or juice?" As a frequent guest, he acted as a co-host.
"Americano, thank you," Tang Zhisong replied.
As Mu Yun turned away, Tang Zhisong noted that the cousin hadn't asked Jiang Bin what she wanted. It meant Mu Yun already knew. Moments later, Mu Yun returned with a coffee and a cup of black tea. Tang Zhisong’s gaze lingered on the tea before he thanked him.
Tang Zhisong wasn't the type to fawningly seek favor, even in a mother-in-law's home. He moved the conversation to medical technology, specifically the application of AI in healthcare. Lu Xin was fascinated to learn about Zhisong’s collaboration with the Els Medical School.
"I know Professor Michael there!" Lu Xin said excitedly. Tang Zhisong had his assistant bring over a laptop to demonstrate the technology. The two men soon disappeared into the study to review the technicalities, leaving the coffee to grow cold.
* * *
In the kitchen, Jiang Bin found her mother and the maid preparing lunch.
"Your Uncle Lu said you spent the holiday at the Tang Estate?" Mu Lingshu casually asked as she washed grapes.
"Yes, it was quite lively," Jiang Bin replied, helping with the plates.
Mu Lingshu’s tone turned cold. "Was it exhausting?"
Jiang Bin’s smile faltered. "Mom..."
Mu Lingshu glanced toward the study. She had been observing Tang Zhisong since he arrived. He was undoubtedly exceptional, but he sat in their home like a high-ranking VIP rather than a visiting son-in-law. It reminded her too much of Jiang Chengxiao—Jiang Bin’s father.
"Seeing you two reminds me of your father and me," Mu Lingshu sighed. "And back then, your father wasn't even as powerful as Tang Zhisong is now. Marriage isn't a business, Bingbing. It's about daily life. You had better choices. Why must you repeat my mistakes?"
Mu Lingshu loathed her own arranged marriage. She could forgive herself because she was forced by elders, but Jiang Bin had jumped in willingly. Despite her failings as a mother, she truly wanted her daughter to be happy.
"Mom, everyone has different priorities," Jiang Bin said firmly. "You value emotion and family. I value fulfilling Grandfather’s wishes and my career. You can't force your values on me. Besides, things are good between us. I’m very satisfied with him."
To Jiang Bin, Tang Zhisong’s willingness to back her up and share his fortune proved he was a man of character. Emotions were fleeting, character was what lasted. Unlike her parents, who both had other lovers, she and Zhisong could at least maintain a life of mutual respect.
"Good? You two look stiff just sitting together," Mu Lingshu snapped.
"You don't even know what he likes to drink. There’s no physical touch. You aren't a real couple, are you?"
Jiang Bin was speechless. However, she knew how to handle her mother.
She took a slow sip of tea and asked, "How are those blind dates you arranged for my cousin going?"
Mu Lingshu stiffened.
She meddled in Mu Yun’s marriage prospects constantly, yet she hadn't introduced a single person to her own daughter before the Tang arrangement. The comment silenced her, and the mother and daughter parted on their usual sour note.
* * *
Lunch was served on a long table. Lu Xin remained the most enthusiastic, eager to pilot the AI technology at his hospital. When it came time for soup, Jiang Bin asked Tang Zhisong what he preferred.
"Mushroom soup," he said. He disliked the medicinal smell of the chicken soup and the fishiness of the fish soup.
Jiang Bin served him the mushroom soup but filled her own bowl with the herbal chicken soup. Tang Zhisong noticed that no one else touched the chicken soup. It had been prepared specifically for her.
"Why isn't there any seafood?" Jiang Bin asked. It was her favorite.
"Did you forget how sick you got after eating crawfish last time?" Mu Yun replied.
"That wasn't because of the crawfish," Jiang Bin argued, though Mu Yun clearly knew more about her physical limits than she cared to admit.
After the meal, Mu Lingshu went to the tea room to make juice. Remembering the earlier warning, Jiang Bin answered for Zhisong: "A blueberry juice."
She planned to drink it for him later.
While Jiang Bin was in the garden picking carnations for Madam Tang, she returned to find the juice ready. She saw Tang Zhisong, prompted by a sense of duty toward his mother-in-law, take a small sip of the blueberry juice while talking to Lu Xin.
When Jiang Bin came back inside, she reflexively reached for the glass by Zhisong’s hand and began to drink it, hoping to finish it before her mother noticed.
Thinking she didn't realize he had already taken a sip, Tang Zhisong froze. He watched her drink from the same glass, his Adam's apple bobbing as a faint heat climbed behind his ears. Whatever Lu Xin was saying faded into the background. The slight irritation he’d felt earlier vanished instantly.
Mu Yun, however, noticed the gesture. He knew how uncompromising Jiang Bin was about her habits. As the "Pearl of Shanghai," she never touched anything someone else had used. Seeing her share a glass with Zhisong was a loud, silent statement.
* * *
The trip back was pleasant. When Jiang Bin asked if he enjoyed talking to Uncle Lu, Tang Zhisong called him a "medical genius."
As they neared the Tang Estate, Tang Zhisong received an urgent call and had to rush to Ningsheng Technology. Jiang Bin spent the evening playing cards with the cousins, quickly mastering the game.
"You two are geniuses," Tang Jing grumbled. "It took me thirty million in losses to learn this, and President Jiang gets it in a day."
At dinner, Madam Tang complained about her son’s workaholism.
"He only stays here for holidays. Normally he lives at Emerald Heights."
Jiang Bin paused.
"He doesn't come back during the week?"
"It's too far from the office," Madam Tang replied. "But you young people need your own space anyway."
On Monday morning, Tang Zhisong drove Jiang Bin to work before heading to his own office. He was on a cold, professional call the entire way, but as she moved to get out, he rolled down the window.
"What would you like for lunch? I'll have someone send it over."
"I want seafood." Jiang Bin said. Mu Yun had always restricted her diet, but now that she was married, she wanted to indulge herself.
Tang Zhisong nodded. This small indulgence, of course he'll grant it.
As the Cullinan sped away, Jiang Bin headed up to her office. It wasn't until 6:30 PM that her driver, Uncle Liu, called. "Where are we staying tonight, Miss?"
Jiang Bin looked out the window at the Ningsheng Technology building across the way. The holiday was over. Do they continue to live apart, or was it time to move into Emerald Heights?
"Eat dinner at the cafeteria first, Uncle Liu," she said. "I’m going to work a bit longer."
She was waiting for Tang Zhisong’s call.
Translator Notes:
No translation notes in this chapter. But if there's anything mistake or mistranslation you didn't understand, feel free to let me know. Anyway, I'll try to post updates for this series every 5 days. The amount of chapters will vary though.
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