The Marriage Harbor CH19
Chapter 19: I’m Going, Are You?
Jiang Bin’s gathering was held at 'Yanyu'. A club where the first floor was a bustling bar and the second floor housed private rooms. It was owned by her childhood friend, Lin Zhouzhou. Unlike Tang Zhisong, Jiang Bin and her friends preferred the energy of the open booths downstairs over the isolation of a private room.
Lin Zhouzhou was famous in their circle for her fiery, arrogant temper. Not just anyone could walk into her bar. She and Jiang Bin had grown up as neighbors, after Jiang Bin was sent away years ago, Zhouzhou became Jiang Yao’s arch-nemesis. Wherever Lin Zhouzhou appeared, Jiang Yao didn't dare show her face.
The three women took their usual booth, sipping whiskey while a resident rapper ignited the atmosphere. The dance floor was a sea of moving bodies and flashing lights. Jiang Bin leaned back, her eyes fixed on the drummer on stage. A young man with bleached hair whose powerful, rhythmic movements brought a series of explosive notes to life.
"It’s good you're back," Lin Zhouzhou said to Cheng Ying. "Bingbing is such a workaholic. Without you here, she’s like a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail—always too busy to show up!"
"I only lacked the time because she wasn't back yet," Jiang Bin interjected.
Cheng Ying raised her glass. "Fine, fine, my fault. I work for President Jiang by day and support President Lin by night. I’m all yours." They clinked glasses.
Lin Zhouzhou smirked at Jiang Bin. "So, how does it feel to be married to the 'No. 1 Untouchable Peak' of Shanghai?"
Jiang Bin nearly choked on her drink. She hadn't known Tang Zhisong carried such a title. "Who gave him that name?"
"Don't change the subject," Zhouzhou pressed. "I never thought Tang Zhisong would end up as my brother-in-law. When is he going to treat us to dinner?"
Jiang Bin rubbed her brow. Her world and Tang Zhisong’s rarely intersected so the idea of him deigning to host her friends for dinner seemed unlikely.
"Keep waiting!" She laughed as she slipped off her blazer to reveal a snow-white body-fitting dress.
"I haven't played in a while. Are you two going to dance?" Jiang Bin stood up.
Lin Zhouzhou’s eyes lit up as she pulled Cheng Ying toward the floor. "Come on, let’s show you the true 'Pearl of Shanghai'!"
Jiang Bin stepped onto the stage, shaking her hair loose until it fell in a dark, silken wave over her shoulders. She leaned in to speak with the drummer, who stepped aside with a look of genuine surprise to watch her take his place. A low roar erupted from the crowd, everyone was eager to see a beauty behind the drums.
As a 'VIP' at her friend's club, Jiang Bin didn't need to adjust to someone else’s equipment. Her own specialized setup was already in place, a sophisticated hybrid of a modified guzheng, layered keyboards, and a custom drum set. She took her seat on the high stool, testing the resonance of the strings and the snap of the skins before giving a sharp, decisive signal to the lead singer.
The performance began with a fluid, haunting guzheng sequence that seemed to ripple through the air. Then, with a seamless shift in momentum, she transitioned into a rhythmic strike on the snares. Her style was uniquely "Chinese Classical," lacking the raw, frantic aggression of typical drummers. In its place was a spirited, elegant grace that felt both ancient and entirely modern.
Watching her dominate the stage, Lin Zhouzhou shouted until her voice grew hoarse against the music.
"Cheng Ying, you never saw the Bingbing from when Grandpa Jiang was still alive! Back then, her intensity was beyond compare. If she wanted the stars, no one would ever dare offer her the moon. She literally had no rivals!"
The Jiang Bin on stage was a glimpse of her former self, far removed from the strategist who had filed down her own quills to play the social game. Back then, she had been a young porcupine, bristling with spikes and impossible to touch. Now, she had learned to sheath that defensive fire, hiding her true nature behind a mask of professional indifference and treating even her own marriage as a cold bargaining chip.
Pei Qing, drowning his frustrations over his family’s interference in his love life, had come to Yanyu to lose himself in the drink. When the haunting, Chinese-style melody cut through the air, he glanced toward the stage and found the drummer strangely familiar. Although he had never officially met Jiang Bin, her reputation and the high-profile nature of her marriage to Tang Zhisong meant her face was well-known in their circles.
In his mind, Jiang Bin was a creature of sharp suits and an overwhelming, professional presence. Seeing her play drums was a revelation. He caught the final notes of her performance and managed to snap a photo just as she prepared to leave the stage, sending it to Tang Zhisong immediately.
[Brother, isn't this your wife?!]
Tang Zhisong was finishing the last of the lobster in the silent penthouse when his phone buzzed. He opened the image, and the visual impact was immediate. Under the vibrant stage lights, the woman in the white dress was strikingly beautiful, her skin as pale and flawless as fine porcelain. Her lips glowed with a rich, alluring light, making her look like a white iris in full bloom, elegant yet deeply captivating.
It was undeniably Jiang Bin.
He stared at the photo for a long time before closing it. He frowned and typed back a single character: [?]
Pei Qing replied instantly: [Get over here! She's at Yanyu. Come pick up your wife.]
Tang Zhisong’s lips thinned. He wouldn't go. He never went to bars and wasn't about to start now. He typed back a few indifferent words, his fingers moving with practiced, professional detachment: [I have a meeting.]
He set the phone aside and retreated to the cold silence of his study. He sat in the high-backed chair, but the image of her vibrant, porcelain skin remained burned into his mind. So this was the priority she had chosen over their dinner.
Some "engagement" indeed.
Jiang Bin returned to Emerald Heights at 11:00 PM. A single wall lamp guided her toward the master bedroom. The door was ajar, a sliver of light spilling out.
Tang Zhisong was sitting in bed with his laptop. He had recently showered, his damp hair falling over his forehead. His focused expression gave his sharp features a rare touch of softness. Looking like this, it was easy to see why he was called an 'Untouchable Peak'.
"Still awake?" she asked.
Tang Zhisong looked up. Her blazer was draped over her shoulders, her hair was tossed to one side, and her eyes were still bright with the lingering energy of the performance.
"Back from your 'engagement'?" he asked, his tone deceptively mild.
"Yes," she replied, heading toward the closet to put away her things.
Tang Zhisong offered a faint, thin smile, his dark eyes unusually sharp. "And what project did you discuss tonight?"
Jiang Bin paused and looked back at him, her expression guarded. "You really want to know?"
He inclined his head, looking as if he were all ears. Recalling Cheng Ying’s advice to maintain her professional front, she replied seriously, "I was looking into a few potential deals in the North City district."
"What kind of deals? Drumming contracts or DJ sets?"
Jiang Bin froze, the air in the room suddenly turning cold. He was being snide, and worse, he clearly knew the truth.
Not knowing how to counter his jab, she headed straight for the shower. Later, she climbed into bed with a face mask on, looking at him through the white, damp fabric.
"What did you end up eating tonight?"
"Australian blue lobster," he said, the mask making her appear somewhat ghostly in the dim light of the bedroom.
The realization hit her then. He had invited her back for a private seafood feast, and she had effectively stood him up.
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice sincere for the first time that night. ""My best friend is finally back after months away, so the girls and I went a private club owned by a friend to celebrate."
"I understand," Tang Zhisong said, his voice returning to a state of perfect, professional indifference. "It was a prior 'engagement,' after all."
* * *
On October 8th, the Ministry of Science and Technology held a forum in North City. Tang Zhisong, the keynote guest, flew out that afternoon for a seven-day trip. As the keynote guest, Tang Zhisong flew out that afternoon for a seven-day engagement.
Jiang Bin’s gathering was held at 'Yanyu'. A club where the first floor was a bustling bar and the second floor housed private rooms. It was owned by her childhood friend, Lin Zhouzhou. Unlike Tang Zhisong, Jiang Bin and her friends preferred the energy of the open booths downstairs over the isolation of a private room.
Lin Zhouzhou was famous in their circle for her fiery, arrogant temper. Not just anyone could walk into her bar. She and Jiang Bin had grown up as neighbors, after Jiang Bin was sent away years ago, Zhouzhou became Jiang Yao’s arch-nemesis. Wherever Lin Zhouzhou appeared, Jiang Yao didn't dare show her face.
The three women took their usual booth, sipping whiskey while a resident rapper ignited the atmosphere. The dance floor was a sea of moving bodies and flashing lights. Jiang Bin leaned back, her eyes fixed on the drummer on stage. A young man with bleached hair whose powerful, rhythmic movements brought a series of explosive notes to life.
"It’s good you're back," Lin Zhouzhou said to Cheng Ying. "Bingbing is such a workaholic. Without you here, she’s like a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail—always too busy to show up!"
"I only lacked the time because she wasn't back yet," Jiang Bin interjected.
Cheng Ying raised her glass. "Fine, fine, my fault. I work for President Jiang by day and support President Lin by night. I’m all yours." They clinked glasses.
Lin Zhouzhou smirked at Jiang Bin. "So, how does it feel to be married to the 'No. 1 Untouchable Peak' of Shanghai?"
Jiang Bin nearly choked on her drink. She hadn't known Tang Zhisong carried such a title. "Who gave him that name?"
"Don't change the subject," Zhouzhou pressed. "I never thought Tang Zhisong would end up as my brother-in-law. When is he going to treat us to dinner?"
Jiang Bin rubbed her brow. Her world and Tang Zhisong’s rarely intersected so the idea of him deigning to host her friends for dinner seemed unlikely.
"Keep waiting!" She laughed as she slipped off her blazer to reveal a snow-white body-fitting dress.
"I haven't played in a while. Are you two going to dance?" Jiang Bin stood up.
Lin Zhouzhou’s eyes lit up as she pulled Cheng Ying toward the floor. "Come on, let’s show you the true 'Pearl of Shanghai'!"
Jiang Bin stepped onto the stage, shaking her hair loose until it fell in a dark, silken wave over her shoulders. She leaned in to speak with the drummer, who stepped aside with a look of genuine surprise to watch her take his place. A low roar erupted from the crowd, everyone was eager to see a beauty behind the drums.
As a 'VIP' at her friend's club, Jiang Bin didn't need to adjust to someone else’s equipment. Her own specialized setup was already in place, a sophisticated hybrid of a modified guzheng, layered keyboards, and a custom drum set. She took her seat on the high stool, testing the resonance of the strings and the snap of the skins before giving a sharp, decisive signal to the lead singer.
The performance began with a fluid, haunting guzheng sequence that seemed to ripple through the air. Then, with a seamless shift in momentum, she transitioned into a rhythmic strike on the snares. Her style was uniquely "Chinese Classical," lacking the raw, frantic aggression of typical drummers. In its place was a spirited, elegant grace that felt both ancient and entirely modern.
Watching her dominate the stage, Lin Zhouzhou shouted until her voice grew hoarse against the music.
"Cheng Ying, you never saw the Bingbing from when Grandpa Jiang was still alive! Back then, her intensity was beyond compare. If she wanted the stars, no one would ever dare offer her the moon. She literally had no rivals!"
The Jiang Bin on stage was a glimpse of her former self, far removed from the strategist who had filed down her own quills to play the social game. Back then, she had been a young porcupine, bristling with spikes and impossible to touch. Now, she had learned to sheath that defensive fire, hiding her true nature behind a mask of professional indifference and treating even her own marriage as a cold bargaining chip.
Pei Qing, drowning his frustrations over his family’s interference in his love life, had come to Yanyu to lose himself in the drink. When the haunting, Chinese-style melody cut through the air, he glanced toward the stage and found the drummer strangely familiar. Although he had never officially met Jiang Bin, her reputation and the high-profile nature of her marriage to Tang Zhisong meant her face was well-known in their circles.
In his mind, Jiang Bin was a creature of sharp suits and an overwhelming, professional presence. Seeing her play drums was a revelation. He caught the final notes of her performance and managed to snap a photo just as she prepared to leave the stage, sending it to Tang Zhisong immediately.
[Brother, isn't this your wife?!]
Tang Zhisong was finishing the last of the lobster in the silent penthouse when his phone buzzed. He opened the image, and the visual impact was immediate. Under the vibrant stage lights, the woman in the white dress was strikingly beautiful, her skin as pale and flawless as fine porcelain. Her lips glowed with a rich, alluring light, making her look like a white iris in full bloom, elegant yet deeply captivating.
It was undeniably Jiang Bin.
He stared at the photo for a long time before closing it. He frowned and typed back a single character: [?]
Pei Qing replied instantly: [Get over here! She's at Yanyu. Come pick up your wife.]
Tang Zhisong’s lips thinned. He wouldn't go. He never went to bars and wasn't about to start now. He typed back a few indifferent words, his fingers moving with practiced, professional detachment: [I have a meeting.]
He set the phone aside and retreated to the cold silence of his study. He sat in the high-backed chair, but the image of her vibrant, porcelain skin remained burned into his mind. So this was the priority she had chosen over their dinner.
Some "engagement" indeed.
Jiang Bin returned to Emerald Heights at 11:00 PM. A single wall lamp guided her toward the master bedroom. The door was ajar, a sliver of light spilling out.
Tang Zhisong was sitting in bed with his laptop. He had recently showered, his damp hair falling over his forehead. His focused expression gave his sharp features a rare touch of softness. Looking like this, it was easy to see why he was called an 'Untouchable Peak'.
"Still awake?" she asked.
Tang Zhisong looked up. Her blazer was draped over her shoulders, her hair was tossed to one side, and her eyes were still bright with the lingering energy of the performance.
"Back from your 'engagement'?" he asked, his tone deceptively mild.
"Yes," she replied, heading toward the closet to put away her things.
Tang Zhisong offered a faint, thin smile, his dark eyes unusually sharp. "And what project did you discuss tonight?"
Jiang Bin paused and looked back at him, her expression guarded. "You really want to know?"
He inclined his head, looking as if he were all ears. Recalling Cheng Ying’s advice to maintain her professional front, she replied seriously, "I was looking into a few potential deals in the North City district."
"What kind of deals? Drumming contracts or DJ sets?"
Jiang Bin froze, the air in the room suddenly turning cold. He was being snide, and worse, he clearly knew the truth.
Not knowing how to counter his jab, she headed straight for the shower. Later, she climbed into bed with a face mask on, looking at him through the white, damp fabric.
"What did you end up eating tonight?"
"Australian blue lobster," he said, the mask making her appear somewhat ghostly in the dim light of the bedroom.
The realization hit her then. He had invited her back for a private seafood feast, and she had effectively stood him up.
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice sincere for the first time that night. ""My best friend is finally back after months away, so the girls and I went a private club owned by a friend to celebrate."
"I understand," Tang Zhisong said, his voice returning to a state of perfect, professional indifference. "It was a prior 'engagement,' after all."
* * *
On October 8th, the Ministry of Science and Technology held a forum in North City. Tang Zhisong, the keynote guest, flew out that afternoon for a seven-day trip. As the keynote guest, Tang Zhisong flew out that afternoon for a seven-day engagement.
During his absence, he sent her only a single text: [Meetings every day.]
Four words in total, a perfunctory itinerary report that offered no room for conversation.
While his words were intended to spark interest in the tech sector, the internet was far more captivated by the young CEO’s striking looks. Crowds of strangers flooded Jiang Bin’s Weibo, leaving thousands of comments telling her how "blessed" she was to have him.
Looking at the screenshots Cheng Ying had gleefully forwarded, Jiang Bin let out a quiet sigh. She hadn't felt particularly "blessed" of late. His attitude had been notably cold since he left.
A joint social event for their two conglomerates was scheduled for that Saturday, a structured hike up the scenic trails of Tianmu Mountain.
"We have over two hundred sign-ups from our side," her assistant, Li Yang, reported while handing over the briefing. "Ningsheng Technology has already cleared over six hundred. The male-to-female ratio is remarkably balanced."
Jiang Bin reviewed the itinerary, noting the icebreaker sessions followed by a deliberate hiking pace designed to encourage private conversation. She found herself entirely uninterested in the social engineering of it all. "Just ensure all safety protocols are strictly enforced."
"Ningsheng has already finalized the medical team and a full mountain sweep," Li Yang said, adding with a hopeful smile, "President Jiang, why don't you attend? Since it is a landmark event for both companies, it would be an ideal opportunity for you and President Tang to appear as a couple."
"I really don't have the time." Jiang Bin immediately declined. Besides, Tang Zhisong was still in North City.
However, Cheng Ying and Tao Xing refused to let the matter drop, eventually cornering her in her office. "President Jiang, even I signed up! Come with us to help me size up the guys," Cheng Ying pleaded.
Worn down by their relentless persistence, Jiang Bin finally relented. "I'll ask him, but don't expect a miracle."
She opened WeChat and found a message from Tang Zhisong sent at noon: [Returning to Shanghai at 4:00 PM today.]
It was now 5:30 PM. Realizing he was likely already back, she decided to call him directly rather than risk another buried text.
"Hello?" His voice sounded languid, lacking its usual professional edge and sounding distinctly unhappy.
"I am sorry, I only just saw your message," Jiang Bin began, her tone steady.
He remained silent. He was well aware that his chat was not pinned to the top of her list, likely buried under a dozen other professional threads. That silence exerted a rare sense of pressure on Jiang Bin, making the air in her office feel heavy.
"The companies are holding a joint social hike at Tianmu Mountain tomorrow," she said, breaking the quiet.
"Are you free to go?"
"No," he said without hesitation.
Jiang Bin offered a small, exasperated smile and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The autumn sunset was a brilliant, bleeding red against the sharp lines of the Shanghai skyline. He hadn't hung up, yet he refused to speak.
She realized she had slighted him twice since that night, first with the lobster dinner and now by overlooking his arrival because she had missed his messages. To bridge the gap, she knew she had to yield this time. Feeling a subtle warmth creep into her ears, she looked toward the distant silhouette of the Ningsheng Technology building and spoke with quiet resolve.
"Tang Zhisong, let me rephrase that...I am going. Are you?"
Sometimes, the most skilled hunters choose to appear as the prey.
Translator's Notes:
While his words were intended to spark interest in the tech sector, the internet was far more captivated by the young CEO’s striking looks. Crowds of strangers flooded Jiang Bin’s Weibo, leaving thousands of comments telling her how "blessed" she was to have him.
Looking at the screenshots Cheng Ying had gleefully forwarded, Jiang Bin let out a quiet sigh. She hadn't felt particularly "blessed" of late. His attitude had been notably cold since he left.
A joint social event for their two conglomerates was scheduled for that Saturday, a structured hike up the scenic trails of Tianmu Mountain.
"We have over two hundred sign-ups from our side," her assistant, Li Yang, reported while handing over the briefing. "Ningsheng Technology has already cleared over six hundred. The male-to-female ratio is remarkably balanced."
Jiang Bin reviewed the itinerary, noting the icebreaker sessions followed by a deliberate hiking pace designed to encourage private conversation. She found herself entirely uninterested in the social engineering of it all. "Just ensure all safety protocols are strictly enforced."
"Ningsheng has already finalized the medical team and a full mountain sweep," Li Yang said, adding with a hopeful smile, "President Jiang, why don't you attend? Since it is a landmark event for both companies, it would be an ideal opportunity for you and President Tang to appear as a couple."
"I really don't have the time." Jiang Bin immediately declined. Besides, Tang Zhisong was still in North City.
However, Cheng Ying and Tao Xing refused to let the matter drop, eventually cornering her in her office. "President Jiang, even I signed up! Come with us to help me size up the guys," Cheng Ying pleaded.
Worn down by their relentless persistence, Jiang Bin finally relented. "I'll ask him, but don't expect a miracle."
She opened WeChat and found a message from Tang Zhisong sent at noon: [Returning to Shanghai at 4:00 PM today.]
It was now 5:30 PM. Realizing he was likely already back, she decided to call him directly rather than risk another buried text.
"Hello?" His voice sounded languid, lacking its usual professional edge and sounding distinctly unhappy.
"I am sorry, I only just saw your message," Jiang Bin began, her tone steady.
He remained silent. He was well aware that his chat was not pinned to the top of her list, likely buried under a dozen other professional threads. That silence exerted a rare sense of pressure on Jiang Bin, making the air in her office feel heavy.
"The companies are holding a joint social hike at Tianmu Mountain tomorrow," she said, breaking the quiet.
"Are you free to go?"
"No," he said without hesitation.
Jiang Bin offered a small, exasperated smile and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The autumn sunset was a brilliant, bleeding red against the sharp lines of the Shanghai skyline. He hadn't hung up, yet he refused to speak.
She realized she had slighted him twice since that night, first with the lobster dinner and now by overlooking his arrival because she had missed his messages. To bridge the gap, she knew she had to yield this time. Feeling a subtle warmth creep into her ears, she looked toward the distant silhouette of the Ningsheng Technology building and spoke with quiet resolve.
"Tang Zhisong, let me rephrase that...I am going. Are you?"
Sometimes, the most skilled hunters choose to appear as the prey.
Translator's Notes:
- The original text actually used the word High-Cold Flower (高岭之花) but I used 'Untouchable Peak' instead since it feels more fitting for Tang Zhisong. Anyway, High-Cold Flower is an idiom referring to someone who is beautiful but aloof and untouchable, like a flower growing on a high, inaccessible peak.
- Dragon’s head is seen but not its tail (神龙见首不见尾): An idiom describing someone who is very mysterious or always on the move, making them hard to track down.
- Pearl of Shanghai (沪城明珠): A complimentary title for a woman who represents the beauty and sophistication of the city.
- White Moonlight (白月光): An idiom for an idealized, pure, and unforgettable first love that remains out of reach.
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