The Marriage Harbor CH17
Chapter 17: One of each size...
The last time Jiang Bin went to the Tang Estate, she only packed a simple suitcase. This time, Tang Zhisong called in the family’s private butler to oversee the move.
The butler, who had visited Jiang Bin’s apartment several times to handle her formal wear, immediately brought in five organization experts to help her pack. As Jiang Bin watched the piles of luggage being moved out, reality sank in. She was truly moving in with Tang Zhisong.
Just after 5:00 PM, Jiang Bin followed Tang Zhisong, carrying only her laptop bag and a few valuables.
The Cullinan pulled out of the underground garage and headed east, eventually merging onto the cross-river bridge. Emerald Heights was located near the Jiang Group headquarters, a route Jiang Bin knew by heart. Yet today, the drive felt unusually long.
Tang Zhisong was occupied with work the entire way. Jiang Bin, for her part, scrolled through social media, liking and replying to her friends’ holiday posts. Twenty minutes later, they arrived.
Emerald Heights was a standalone luxury high-rise overlooking the river, reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Tang Zhisong lived on the top floor. At the door, an integrated facial recognition system greeted them with a cute, synthesized voice:
"Welcome home, Master..."
Jiang Bin stared at the device, momentarily stunned by the tech.
"I’ll record your data in a moment," Tang Zhisong said as they entered.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, I’ll just look around. You go ahead and work," she replied, taking in the massive living area. Tang Zhisong didn't insist, he had urgent business to attend to and retreated into his study.
Unlike Jiang Bin’s apartment, this entire floor belonged to Tang Zhisong. Over a thousand square meters with an unobstructed 360-degree The design was distinctly modern, with clean, fluid lines throughout. The living area alone, along with the Chinese and Western dining spaces, spanned nearly three hundred square meters. The central island stood like a floating mass upon the sea, sculpted with the precision of an art piece.
Even more striking was the fully integrated smart home system. Wall panels and mobile apps working in tandem. Many of the technologies bore the hallmark of Ningsheng Tech’s earliest innovations.
It was an entirely different world from the vintage elegance of Jiang Bin’s residence in Zhouyue International.
There were no harsh edges anywhere. Only seamless lines, deliberate and graceful. Everything one might see on television was here. And everything one wouldn’t, was here as well.
A residence befitting a titan of technology.
Jiang Bin wandered through the corridors, making a full circuit of the space. A gym, formal reception hall, private lounge, screening room, collection room. Every function had its place. One room even housed several robots.
For such an expansive home, there was only a single master bedroom. Not even a guest room. It didn’t take much to guess: Tang Zhishong did not like others staying over.
Compared to the vast living spaces, the walk-in closets were almost understated. Outside the master bedroom were two dressing rooms, one large and one small. Previously, all his clothes had occupied the larger one. But after the thought of Jiang Bin moving in took root, he had shifted everything into the smaller space, leaving the larger entirely for her.
The butler organized Jiang Bin’s belongings by category. Fortunately, she hadn’t brought too much. Everything fit, just barely.
* * *
By nightfall, after organizing her belongings, Jiang Bin took her laptop bag and stopped at the slightly ajar door of Tang Zhisong’s study.
"Which room can I use for my study?" She asked.
Tang Zhisong looked up from his screen. "This is your home now. You decide."
Jiang Bin blinked, processing the weight of those words.
"Alright," she said, swallowing the "thank you" she felt wasn't quite appropriate. She chose a room on the west side of the penthouse, as far from his eastern study as possible to ensure mutual privacy.
Dinner had already been prepared by the Tang family’s private chef. When Tang Zhishong came to look for her, he had to circle halfway around before finding her in the western study. She was standing by the window, taking in the view—below lay a park, and farther south, a glimpse of the river.
She turned when she noticed him.
“What is it?”
“…Dinner,” he said, after a brief pause.
They walked to the dining area together.
The kitchen, master bedroom, and their respective studies occupied different corners of the vast space. With the staff gone, the enormous apartment felt almost too quiet. Perhaps it was because they had only just begun living together.
Jiang Bin kept her emotions close, eating in silence.Halfway through the meal, Tang Zhishong broke it first.
“After seeing the place, if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, we can adjust it to suit your habits.”
Having learned from their time at Tang Residence, he was prepared to accommodate her.
Jiang Bin lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Tang Zhisong..." It was the first time she had used his full name. "I want to grow flowers."
She had noticed the terrace earlier, it was bare and felt like a waste of space. Influenced by her grandmother, gardening was the one thing she refused to compromise on. Even though Tang Zhisong famously disliked pollen.
Tang Zhisong was silent for a moment, a flicker of emotion in his dark eyes. Given that she was the one who had uprooted her life to move here, he knew he had to yield.
"Alright. Anything else?"
“Not for now. I’ll let you know when I think of something.” She said, taking a sip of soup.
After dinner, as they prepared to return to their studies, he stopped her. From his study, he brought out a document and handed it to her.
“Sign this.”
Jiang Bin frowned, looking at the header. "I told you, it’s not necessary." It was a title transfer for the penthouse.
He still intended to transfer the property to her. Knowing her pride, he offered a reason.
“We’re not holding a wedding. Consider this… compensation.”
Last time, she had been deeply anxious after losing his money during the card game, still intent on drawing a line between them by claiming it wasn't hers to lose. He didn’t want her to one day feel like she was living in someone else’s house. Their marriage had little foundation to begin with. It couldn’t withstand repeated distance.
At the words not holding a wedding, Jiang Bin fell silent for a moment.
It had been a mutual decision. Without their parents present, she couldn’t even imagine what such a wedding would look like. Despite knowing this she still felt a strange tug in her chest as she took the pen and signed.
* * *
They both returned to work in their separate studies. Jiang Bin texted Mu Yun to take her fish, then arranged for a self-watering system for her plants at the old apartment.
By 10:00 PM, Tang Zhisong, who hadn't slept well on her sofa the previous nights, finished his workout and knocked on her study door.
"When do you usually sleep?"
"Around midnight," she said, noting his tired eyes.
"Then I'll head in first," he said, nodding.
Realizing she might wake him if she came in late, Jiang Bin decided to wrap up her emails early. When she entered the master bedroom, the lights were dimmed to a soft, golden glow.
Tang Zhisong was standing by the nightstand in dark green silk pajamas.He was strikingly attractive, his hair still damp and his top only partially buttoned. The glimpse of his firm chest added a layer of effortless allure to his usual cold demeanor.
Startled by her early arrival, he quickly finished buttoning his shirt, restoring his usual and composed image.
"You're back," he said coolly.
"I'm going to turn in early too," she said, clutching her pajamas and heading for the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, she emerged. Her damp hair was down, and the steam from the shower had left her eyes looking soft and bright. Tang Zhisong was already in bed, working on his phone.
"Ready to sleep?" he asked.
"Yes." Jiang Bin climbed into her side of the bed. Since her period hadn't ended, she didn't bother checking the nightstand drawer for protection. They were on opposite edges of the massive bed, with enough space for three people between them.
Tang Zhisong turned off the light, but seeing her perched so close to the edge, he couldn't help but speak up.
"Move a little closer."
In the sudden darkness, his voice was rich and magnetic.
"My 'aunt' hasn't left yet," Jiang Bin said bluntly. "It’s not convenient for 'that'."
Tang Zhisong froze. He was so frustrated he couldn't find the words. Did she really think he was that desperate? Denying it would seem petty, but staying silent felt like an admission. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Jiang Bin could sense his annoyance, but she didn't regret the honesty. He was the one who insisted on moving in tonight, after all.
It was their first night sharing a bed, and the air was thick with unease. Both lay perfectly still, pretending to be asleep while hyper-aware of the other’s presence.
* * *
The next morning, Jiang Bin woke to the sound of a distant horn. Tang Zhisong was already gone. When she walked into the living room, she saw him coming from the gym, dressed in light leisure wear. Without his suit and glasses, he looked like a youthful, handsome university male lead but with a more settled, refined aura.
Jiang Bin caught herself staring. Tang Zhisong noticed her gaze and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Heading out today?"
"I don't plan to," she said.
Tang Zhisong was confused. If she wasn't going out, why was she already wearing makeup? He wanted to tell her she could be casual at home, but he didn't want to interfere with her habits.
"I’m going to shower. Breakfast is in the kitchen."
Later, as they ate, Tang Zhisong returned in his usual suit and silver-rimmed glasses.
"Are you nearsighted?" Jiang Bin asked, finally voicing the question she’d had for a long time.
"No," he explained. "These lenses protect the eyes from computer strain."
Jiang Bin didn't tell him that without the glasses, his face could rival any movie star’s. With them on, he looked aloof and scrutinizing, extremely hard to approach.
"You're going to the office?"
"Yes."
Tang Zhisong watched as she ate her steak sandwich, noting that she didn't bother cutting the meat before placing it directly into the bread. For a moment, he recalled her asking him to cut her steak once before. He made a mental note to do it for her immediately next time.
After he left, Jiang Bin worked in her study. Around 10:00 AM, she took a small break before realizing she was out of feminine products. She decided to walk to the nearby supermarket.
Since she was in a new place, she figured she’d pick up a few other essentials. As she stood at the checkout counter, her eyes drifted to the "family planning" section. Without hesitating, she grabbed a few boxes.
Since she didn't know his size, she took one of each size.
Translator Notes:
The last time Jiang Bin went to the Tang Estate, she only packed a simple suitcase. This time, Tang Zhisong called in the family’s private butler to oversee the move.
The butler, who had visited Jiang Bin’s apartment several times to handle her formal wear, immediately brought in five organization experts to help her pack. As Jiang Bin watched the piles of luggage being moved out, reality sank in. She was truly moving in with Tang Zhisong.
Just after 5:00 PM, Jiang Bin followed Tang Zhisong, carrying only her laptop bag and a few valuables.
The Cullinan pulled out of the underground garage and headed east, eventually merging onto the cross-river bridge. Emerald Heights was located near the Jiang Group headquarters, a route Jiang Bin knew by heart. Yet today, the drive felt unusually long.
Tang Zhisong was occupied with work the entire way. Jiang Bin, for her part, scrolled through social media, liking and replying to her friends’ holiday posts. Twenty minutes later, they arrived.
Emerald Heights was a standalone luxury high-rise overlooking the river, reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Tang Zhisong lived on the top floor. At the door, an integrated facial recognition system greeted them with a cute, synthesized voice:
"Welcome home, Master..."
Jiang Bin stared at the device, momentarily stunned by the tech.
"I’ll record your data in a moment," Tang Zhisong said as they entered.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, I’ll just look around. You go ahead and work," she replied, taking in the massive living area. Tang Zhisong didn't insist, he had urgent business to attend to and retreated into his study.
Unlike Jiang Bin’s apartment, this entire floor belonged to Tang Zhisong. Over a thousand square meters with an unobstructed 360-degree The design was distinctly modern, with clean, fluid lines throughout. The living area alone, along with the Chinese and Western dining spaces, spanned nearly three hundred square meters. The central island stood like a floating mass upon the sea, sculpted with the precision of an art piece.
Even more striking was the fully integrated smart home system. Wall panels and mobile apps working in tandem. Many of the technologies bore the hallmark of Ningsheng Tech’s earliest innovations.
It was an entirely different world from the vintage elegance of Jiang Bin’s residence in Zhouyue International.
There were no harsh edges anywhere. Only seamless lines, deliberate and graceful. Everything one might see on television was here. And everything one wouldn’t, was here as well.
A residence befitting a titan of technology.
Jiang Bin wandered through the corridors, making a full circuit of the space. A gym, formal reception hall, private lounge, screening room, collection room. Every function had its place. One room even housed several robots.
For such an expansive home, there was only a single master bedroom. Not even a guest room. It didn’t take much to guess: Tang Zhishong did not like others staying over.
Compared to the vast living spaces, the walk-in closets were almost understated. Outside the master bedroom were two dressing rooms, one large and one small. Previously, all his clothes had occupied the larger one. But after the thought of Jiang Bin moving in took root, he had shifted everything into the smaller space, leaving the larger entirely for her.
The butler organized Jiang Bin’s belongings by category. Fortunately, she hadn’t brought too much. Everything fit, just barely.
* * *
By nightfall, after organizing her belongings, Jiang Bin took her laptop bag and stopped at the slightly ajar door of Tang Zhisong’s study.
"Which room can I use for my study?" She asked.
Tang Zhisong looked up from his screen. "This is your home now. You decide."
Jiang Bin blinked, processing the weight of those words.
"Alright," she said, swallowing the "thank you" she felt wasn't quite appropriate. She chose a room on the west side of the penthouse, as far from his eastern study as possible to ensure mutual privacy.
Dinner had already been prepared by the Tang family’s private chef. When Tang Zhishong came to look for her, he had to circle halfway around before finding her in the western study. She was standing by the window, taking in the view—below lay a park, and farther south, a glimpse of the river.
She turned when she noticed him.
“What is it?”
“…Dinner,” he said, after a brief pause.
They walked to the dining area together.
The kitchen, master bedroom, and their respective studies occupied different corners of the vast space. With the staff gone, the enormous apartment felt almost too quiet. Perhaps it was because they had only just begun living together.
Jiang Bin kept her emotions close, eating in silence.Halfway through the meal, Tang Zhishong broke it first.
“After seeing the place, if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, we can adjust it to suit your habits.”
Having learned from their time at Tang Residence, he was prepared to accommodate her.
Jiang Bin lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Tang Zhisong..." It was the first time she had used his full name. "I want to grow flowers."
She had noticed the terrace earlier, it was bare and felt like a waste of space. Influenced by her grandmother, gardening was the one thing she refused to compromise on. Even though Tang Zhisong famously disliked pollen.
Tang Zhisong was silent for a moment, a flicker of emotion in his dark eyes. Given that she was the one who had uprooted her life to move here, he knew he had to yield.
"Alright. Anything else?"
“Not for now. I’ll let you know when I think of something.” She said, taking a sip of soup.
After dinner, as they prepared to return to their studies, he stopped her. From his study, he brought out a document and handed it to her.
“Sign this.”
Jiang Bin frowned, looking at the header. "I told you, it’s not necessary." It was a title transfer for the penthouse.
He still intended to transfer the property to her. Knowing her pride, he offered a reason.
“We’re not holding a wedding. Consider this… compensation.”
Last time, she had been deeply anxious after losing his money during the card game, still intent on drawing a line between them by claiming it wasn't hers to lose. He didn’t want her to one day feel like she was living in someone else’s house. Their marriage had little foundation to begin with. It couldn’t withstand repeated distance.
At the words not holding a wedding, Jiang Bin fell silent for a moment.
It had been a mutual decision. Without their parents present, she couldn’t even imagine what such a wedding would look like. Despite knowing this she still felt a strange tug in her chest as she took the pen and signed.
* * *
They both returned to work in their separate studies. Jiang Bin texted Mu Yun to take her fish, then arranged for a self-watering system for her plants at the old apartment.
By 10:00 PM, Tang Zhisong, who hadn't slept well on her sofa the previous nights, finished his workout and knocked on her study door.
"When do you usually sleep?"
"Around midnight," she said, noting his tired eyes.
"Then I'll head in first," he said, nodding.
Realizing she might wake him if she came in late, Jiang Bin decided to wrap up her emails early. When she entered the master bedroom, the lights were dimmed to a soft, golden glow.
Tang Zhisong was standing by the nightstand in dark green silk pajamas.He was strikingly attractive, his hair still damp and his top only partially buttoned. The glimpse of his firm chest added a layer of effortless allure to his usual cold demeanor.
Startled by her early arrival, he quickly finished buttoning his shirt, restoring his usual and composed image.
"You're back," he said coolly.
"I'm going to turn in early too," she said, clutching her pajamas and heading for the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, she emerged. Her damp hair was down, and the steam from the shower had left her eyes looking soft and bright. Tang Zhisong was already in bed, working on his phone.
"Ready to sleep?" he asked.
"Yes." Jiang Bin climbed into her side of the bed. Since her period hadn't ended, she didn't bother checking the nightstand drawer for protection. They were on opposite edges of the massive bed, with enough space for three people between them.
Tang Zhisong turned off the light, but seeing her perched so close to the edge, he couldn't help but speak up.
"Move a little closer."
In the sudden darkness, his voice was rich and magnetic.
"My 'aunt' hasn't left yet," Jiang Bin said bluntly. "It’s not convenient for 'that'."
Tang Zhisong froze. He was so frustrated he couldn't find the words. Did she really think he was that desperate? Denying it would seem petty, but staying silent felt like an admission. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Jiang Bin could sense his annoyance, but she didn't regret the honesty. He was the one who insisted on moving in tonight, after all.
It was their first night sharing a bed, and the air was thick with unease. Both lay perfectly still, pretending to be asleep while hyper-aware of the other’s presence.
* * *
The next morning, Jiang Bin woke to the sound of a distant horn. Tang Zhisong was already gone. When she walked into the living room, she saw him coming from the gym, dressed in light leisure wear. Without his suit and glasses, he looked like a youthful, handsome university male lead but with a more settled, refined aura.
Jiang Bin caught herself staring. Tang Zhisong noticed her gaze and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Heading out today?"
"I don't plan to," she said.
Tang Zhisong was confused. If she wasn't going out, why was she already wearing makeup? He wanted to tell her she could be casual at home, but he didn't want to interfere with her habits.
"I’m going to shower. Breakfast is in the kitchen."
Later, as they ate, Tang Zhisong returned in his usual suit and silver-rimmed glasses.
"Are you nearsighted?" Jiang Bin asked, finally voicing the question she’d had for a long time.
"No," he explained. "These lenses protect the eyes from computer strain."
Jiang Bin didn't tell him that without the glasses, his face could rival any movie star’s. With them on, he looked aloof and scrutinizing, extremely hard to approach.
"You're going to the office?"
"Yes."
Tang Zhisong watched as she ate her steak sandwich, noting that she didn't bother cutting the meat before placing it directly into the bread. For a moment, he recalled her asking him to cut her steak once before. He made a mental note to do it for her immediately next time.
After he left, Jiang Bin worked in her study. Around 10:00 AM, she took a small break before realizing she was out of feminine products. She decided to walk to the nearby supermarket.
Since she was in a new place, she figured she’d pick up a few other essentials. As she stood at the checkout counter, her eyes drifted to the "family planning" section. Without hesitating, she grabbed a few boxes.
Since she didn't know his size, she took one of each size.
- Aunt/Great Aunt (大姨妈) is a common Chinese slang term and euphemism for a woman's menstrual period.
(Sorry, I'm sick so I can only do 2 chapters for now. I'll try to drop a few more tomorrow once I feel a bit better. Thanks for reading!)
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