The Marriage Harbor CH5
Chapter 5: A Gentleman's Grace
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Having an extensive network simply means a mountain of effort has been put in, bit by bit, behind the scenes. This weekend was no exception for Jiang Bin, who had a schedule packed with social obligations.
On Saturday morning, she had a golf appointment with Grandpa Qiu of Hesheng Capital. In the afternoon, she had to attend a fashion industry tea party hosted by a friend to lend her support.
Grandpa Qiu was a shareholder in Jiang Group Real Estate and belonged to the same generation as Jiang Bin’s grandfather. Having lost his wife early and being on bad terms with his son and daughter-in-law, he lived alone year-round. When Jiang Bin first returned to China, it was with Grandpa Qiu's backing that she successfully entered the company.
Jiang Bin visited him every holiday. On New Year’s Eve, Grandpa Qiu refused to endure his son’s sour face and since she herself had nowhere else to go, the two of them would spend it together. Every year, just like how a real grandfather and granddaughter would. She even handles the arrangements whenever he was hospitalized.
Many of these connections were originally left to her by her grandfather but Jiang Bin had meticulously managed and expanded them.
Grandpa Qiu was famous in the capital circles for his ruthless investment instincts. Nine out of ten of his projects turned a profit. Moreover, he collaborated with the global chip giant, WestTech. Many used his channels to procure WestTech's chips, giving him immense leverage in the industry. Jiang Bin even entrusted him with managing several of her own stocks.
After a busy Saturday, her mother-in-law called on Sunday to invite her for dinner. Jiang Bin would not go to the Tang Estate unless Tang Zhisong invited her personally but she couldn't brush off her mother-in-law's kindness. Instead, she carved out two hours to take her mother-in-law and Second Aunt for a spa session.
Before leaving, she made sure to wear the emerald necklace her mother-in-law had gifted her last time.
Midway through the spa, Madam Tang called her son, hoping to set up a dinner for the couple, only to find out Tang Zhisong had gone to San Francisco.
Madam Tang was disappointed. While getting a foot mask, she asked Jiang Bin, "When did he leave? He didn't say a word."
How would Jiang Bin know? They weren’t at the stage of reporting their itineraries to each other.
But she couldn't tell this to Madam Tang.
“It was sudden, a last-minute notice. Don’t be upset, Mom.” Jiang Bin said, racking her brain to smooth things over.
Beside them, Tang Zhisong’s aunt assumed he had informed Jiang Bin but skipped his mother. She chimed in to comfort Madam Tang.
"A-Song has a wife now. Of course he tells his wife everything first. What mother? My own son barely comes home once he starts dating. If you ask me, as a mother, don’t meddle too much. As long as the young couple gets along, that’s what matters.”
Madam Tang knew that wasn't the case, but she couldn't expose the truth in front of Jiang Bin.
* * *
Jiang Bin spent the week immersed in the Changjing Film acquisition. By the time the first round of negotiations finished on Friday morning, Tang Zhishong had already returned to Shanghai.
It was August 6th. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
It was Qixi.
From early morning, the atmosphere on the streets was different. The scent of roses lingered everywhere. The Ningsheng Technology building was no exception. Many female employees arrived at the office early, clutching bouquets.
Even outside the CEO’s office, a rare bouquet of roses appeared. When Chief Assistant Li saw it, he immediately frowned at the women in the office.
"Who brought roses into the office? Don't you know President Tang dislikes pollen?"
Every Valentine’s Day, plenty of women sent roses to Tang Zhisong, but without exception, none ever made it into his private office. If a client sent them, the office staff had specific secretaries to handle the return gifts. This was the first time one had been delivered right to the door.
One of the women outside plucked the card from the center of the Louis XIV roses and shot Assistant Li a meaningful look.
“Maybe you should see who sent them.”
Assistant Li saw the signature and understood immediately. Without another word, he carefully carried the roses into the CEO’s office.
Tang Zhishong was in a meeting with the tech department all morning. He didn’t return to his office until noon. The moment he stepped inside, he caught an unfamiliar floral scent. His gaze landed on the roses on his desk. His steps halted. He lifted his eyes coolly toward Assistant Li.
Sweat began to bead on Assistant Li’s forehead.
“If you look at the card yourself, you’ll understand.”
Having followed Tang Zhishong for years, his assistant wouldn’t make such a basic mistake. Tang Zhishong walked over with restrained patience. The card lay beside the bouquet, the signature bold and elegant.
Jiang Bin (江彬), followed by her English name. It was handwritten. The penmanship was beautiful. Obviously her own.
Tang Zhisong froze. Then, a headache set in. Why on earth was Jiang Bin sending him roses?
Assistant Li offered an awkward reminder.
"President Tang, today is Qixi."
Now it was Tang Zhisong’s turn to feel awkward.
Once Assistant Li left, Tang Zhisong sat behind his desk staring at the roses. This was tricky. Jiang Bin had always been measured. Perhaps it was just courtesy.
Or maybe she was thanking him for helping her last time?
For a "plastic couple" as unfamiliar as they were, Valentine’s Day was… a delicate territory. He couldn't bring himself to actually "celebrate" and ask her on a date but he couldn’t simply accept roses from a young woman without reciprocating.
Tang Zhisong had always maintained the air of a gentleman. Since Jiang Bin had sent roses, it was only right to return the gesture. He summoned Assistant Li back in.
"Call the auction house. See if they have any suitable ladies' watches." He instructed, loosening his tie.
Diamonds would be too suggestive. Given their current relationship, a watch felt appropriate.
Assistant Li worked with remarkable efficiency. Within half an hour, he presented five options. Tang Zhisong eventually chose a collectible, custom Patek Philippe lady's watch for Jiang Bin, valued at 20 million.
* * *
Jiang Bin had a high reputation and had never lacked suitors, whether at home or abroad. Every Valentine’s Day, her office was usually buried in roses. This Qixi, likely because of her marriage with Tang Zhisong, she hadn't received flowers from anyone except clients and a few close friends.
She did, however, receive plenty of messages.
[Did Tang Zhisong send you flowers? If he hadn't, then I will.]
Some people were still persistent.
Jiang Bin laughed to herself. She had married Tang Zhisong for cooperation. She wasn’t naive enough to harbor romantic fantasies.
After a busy morning, Jiang Yao came to find her at noon. She leaned against the doorframe with a flower in her hand, smiling at Jiang Bin.
"Tang Zhisong is famous for being unromantic. I bet he didn't send you a gift, did he? I have too many flowers at my place, so I brought one to offer you some comfort."
It was a single Louis XIV purple rose. Having been sisters for years, Jiang Yao knew exactly how to twist the knife.
Jiang Bin accepted it generously and placed it in the glass vase by the window.
“Thank you. Better than having a thousand rotten peach blossoms and not a single good one among them.”
That jab hit Jiang Yao squarely in her own sore spot.
She had always regarded Tang Zhishong as hers by default. Born pampered, admired all her life, she had never stumbled like this before. She had assumed a man as pragmatic as Tang Zhishong would naturally choose a marriage alliance with her.
She was dying to know what terms Jiang Bin had offered him.
"Let me treat you to lunch." she said, trying to fish for information.
Jiang Bin knew her sister had hidden motives. She shrugged.
"No time. I have to visit a client."
"Fine, stop pretending," Jiang Yao said, seeing through her.
"I don't think this relationship of yours will last very long anyway."
Jiang Bin felt helpless. Jiang Yao was just like that, if she wasn't happy then she wouldn't let anyone else be happy either.
Just then, footsteps approached. Accompanied by Xiao Zhou, Assistant Li personally arrived carrying a gift box. A crowd began to gather outside the office. Jiang Bin was slightly stunned to see him.
Jiang Yao also recognized Assistant Li. She had been blocked by him more than once when trying to see Tang Zhishong.
Assistant Li was a master of social situations. One glance told him everything. He approached respectfully, first handing Jiang Bin a bouquet, then the gift box.
"Madam, President Tang had to leave town on urgent business. He instructed me to deliver this gift from a recent auction. Happy Qixi."
Tang Zhisong hadn't gone anywhere. This was entirely Assistant Li's improvisation. Whether Tang Zhishong had left or not, Jiang Bin had no idea. She was surprised he had sent her anything at all and grateful for Assistant Li’s tact.
“Thank you for making the trip.”
Once Assistant Li left, Jiang Yao, instead of seeing a drama, was forced to swallow a mouthful of "dog food". She returned to her office in sour silence.
Jiang Bin closed the door and opened the box. When she saw the watch, she took a sharp breath. Twenty million was not beyond her means but it far exceeded the depth of her relationship with Tang Zhishong.
Skilled at providing the validation of those around her, she immediately took a photo of the gift and sent it to Tang Zhisong via WeChat.
[Received. Thank you, I like it very much.]
Tang Zhisong saw the message and wasn't sure how to reply. It felt a bit too much like a girlfriend thanking her boyfriend. Not wanting Jiang Bin to think he was eagerly trying to please her, he sent a photo of the roses back to her.
[Thank you for the flowers as well.]
Jiang Bin froze when she saw the roses.
When had she sent Tang Zhisong flowers?
She called Li Yang in, only to find out that Li Yang had followed the standard protocol of ordering flowers for all VIP clients, Tang Zhisong included.
He had clearly misunderstood and returned a massive gift. Explaining would only make it more awkward and if she tried to return the watch, he probably wouldn't take it back. To make amends, Jiang Bin formally ordered an even more expensive bouquet and had it sent to Tang Zhisong’s office.
Tang Zhisong stared at the even larger bouquet of roses and silently rubbed his temples. He had never liked the smell of pollen. With his temper, he would usually have left these outside but since it was Jiang Bin who sent them, he could only keep them by the window.
He told himself this was simply a husband’s courtesy. A gentleman’s grace.
Translator's Notes:
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Having an extensive network simply means a mountain of effort has been put in, bit by bit, behind the scenes. This weekend was no exception for Jiang Bin, who had a schedule packed with social obligations.
On Saturday morning, she had a golf appointment with Grandpa Qiu of Hesheng Capital. In the afternoon, she had to attend a fashion industry tea party hosted by a friend to lend her support.
Grandpa Qiu was a shareholder in Jiang Group Real Estate and belonged to the same generation as Jiang Bin’s grandfather. Having lost his wife early and being on bad terms with his son and daughter-in-law, he lived alone year-round. When Jiang Bin first returned to China, it was with Grandpa Qiu's backing that she successfully entered the company.
Jiang Bin visited him every holiday. On New Year’s Eve, Grandpa Qiu refused to endure his son’s sour face and since she herself had nowhere else to go, the two of them would spend it together. Every year, just like how a real grandfather and granddaughter would. She even handles the arrangements whenever he was hospitalized.
Many of these connections were originally left to her by her grandfather but Jiang Bin had meticulously managed and expanded them.
Grandpa Qiu was famous in the capital circles for his ruthless investment instincts. Nine out of ten of his projects turned a profit. Moreover, he collaborated with the global chip giant, WestTech. Many used his channels to procure WestTech's chips, giving him immense leverage in the industry. Jiang Bin even entrusted him with managing several of her own stocks.
After a busy Saturday, her mother-in-law called on Sunday to invite her for dinner. Jiang Bin would not go to the Tang Estate unless Tang Zhisong invited her personally but she couldn't brush off her mother-in-law's kindness. Instead, she carved out two hours to take her mother-in-law and Second Aunt for a spa session.
Before leaving, she made sure to wear the emerald necklace her mother-in-law had gifted her last time.
Midway through the spa, Madam Tang called her son, hoping to set up a dinner for the couple, only to find out Tang Zhisong had gone to San Francisco.
Madam Tang was disappointed. While getting a foot mask, she asked Jiang Bin, "When did he leave? He didn't say a word."
How would Jiang Bin know? They weren’t at the stage of reporting their itineraries to each other.
But she couldn't tell this to Madam Tang.
“It was sudden, a last-minute notice. Don’t be upset, Mom.” Jiang Bin said, racking her brain to smooth things over.
Beside them, Tang Zhisong’s aunt assumed he had informed Jiang Bin but skipped his mother. She chimed in to comfort Madam Tang.
"A-Song has a wife now. Of course he tells his wife everything first. What mother? My own son barely comes home once he starts dating. If you ask me, as a mother, don’t meddle too much. As long as the young couple gets along, that’s what matters.”
Madam Tang knew that wasn't the case, but she couldn't expose the truth in front of Jiang Bin.
* * *
Jiang Bin spent the week immersed in the Changjing Film acquisition. By the time the first round of negotiations finished on Friday morning, Tang Zhishong had already returned to Shanghai.
It was August 6th. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
It was Qixi.
From early morning, the atmosphere on the streets was different. The scent of roses lingered everywhere. The Ningsheng Technology building was no exception. Many female employees arrived at the office early, clutching bouquets.
Even outside the CEO’s office, a rare bouquet of roses appeared. When Chief Assistant Li saw it, he immediately frowned at the women in the office.
"Who brought roses into the office? Don't you know President Tang dislikes pollen?"
Every Valentine’s Day, plenty of women sent roses to Tang Zhisong, but without exception, none ever made it into his private office. If a client sent them, the office staff had specific secretaries to handle the return gifts. This was the first time one had been delivered right to the door.
One of the women outside plucked the card from the center of the Louis XIV roses and shot Assistant Li a meaningful look.
“Maybe you should see who sent them.”
Assistant Li saw the signature and understood immediately. Without another word, he carefully carried the roses into the CEO’s office.
Tang Zhishong was in a meeting with the tech department all morning. He didn’t return to his office until noon. The moment he stepped inside, he caught an unfamiliar floral scent. His gaze landed on the roses on his desk. His steps halted. He lifted his eyes coolly toward Assistant Li.
Sweat began to bead on Assistant Li’s forehead.
“If you look at the card yourself, you’ll understand.”
Having followed Tang Zhishong for years, his assistant wouldn’t make such a basic mistake. Tang Zhishong walked over with restrained patience. The card lay beside the bouquet, the signature bold and elegant.
Jiang Bin (江彬), followed by her English name. It was handwritten. The penmanship was beautiful. Obviously her own.
Tang Zhisong froze. Then, a headache set in. Why on earth was Jiang Bin sending him roses?
Assistant Li offered an awkward reminder.
"President Tang, today is Qixi."
Now it was Tang Zhisong’s turn to feel awkward.
Once Assistant Li left, Tang Zhisong sat behind his desk staring at the roses. This was tricky. Jiang Bin had always been measured. Perhaps it was just courtesy.
Or maybe she was thanking him for helping her last time?
For a "plastic couple" as unfamiliar as they were, Valentine’s Day was… a delicate territory. He couldn't bring himself to actually "celebrate" and ask her on a date but he couldn’t simply accept roses from a young woman without reciprocating.
Tang Zhisong had always maintained the air of a gentleman. Since Jiang Bin had sent roses, it was only right to return the gesture. He summoned Assistant Li back in.
"Call the auction house. See if they have any suitable ladies' watches." He instructed, loosening his tie.
Diamonds would be too suggestive. Given their current relationship, a watch felt appropriate.
Assistant Li worked with remarkable efficiency. Within half an hour, he presented five options. Tang Zhisong eventually chose a collectible, custom Patek Philippe lady's watch for Jiang Bin, valued at 20 million.
* * *
Jiang Bin had a high reputation and had never lacked suitors, whether at home or abroad. Every Valentine’s Day, her office was usually buried in roses. This Qixi, likely because of her marriage with Tang Zhisong, she hadn't received flowers from anyone except clients and a few close friends.
She did, however, receive plenty of messages.
[Did Tang Zhisong send you flowers? If he hadn't, then I will.]
Some people were still persistent.
Jiang Bin laughed to herself. She had married Tang Zhisong for cooperation. She wasn’t naive enough to harbor romantic fantasies.
After a busy morning, Jiang Yao came to find her at noon. She leaned against the doorframe with a flower in her hand, smiling at Jiang Bin.
"Tang Zhisong is famous for being unromantic. I bet he didn't send you a gift, did he? I have too many flowers at my place, so I brought one to offer you some comfort."
It was a single Louis XIV purple rose. Having been sisters for years, Jiang Yao knew exactly how to twist the knife.
Jiang Bin accepted it generously and placed it in the glass vase by the window.
“Thank you. Better than having a thousand rotten peach blossoms and not a single good one among them.”
That jab hit Jiang Yao squarely in her own sore spot.
She had always regarded Tang Zhishong as hers by default. Born pampered, admired all her life, she had never stumbled like this before. She had assumed a man as pragmatic as Tang Zhishong would naturally choose a marriage alliance with her.
She was dying to know what terms Jiang Bin had offered him.
"Let me treat you to lunch." she said, trying to fish for information.
Jiang Bin knew her sister had hidden motives. She shrugged.
"No time. I have to visit a client."
"Fine, stop pretending," Jiang Yao said, seeing through her.
"I don't think this relationship of yours will last very long anyway."
Jiang Bin felt helpless. Jiang Yao was just like that, if she wasn't happy then she wouldn't let anyone else be happy either.
Just then, footsteps approached. Accompanied by Xiao Zhou, Assistant Li personally arrived carrying a gift box. A crowd began to gather outside the office. Jiang Bin was slightly stunned to see him.
Jiang Yao also recognized Assistant Li. She had been blocked by him more than once when trying to see Tang Zhishong.
Assistant Li was a master of social situations. One glance told him everything. He approached respectfully, first handing Jiang Bin a bouquet, then the gift box.
"Madam, President Tang had to leave town on urgent business. He instructed me to deliver this gift from a recent auction. Happy Qixi."
Tang Zhisong hadn't gone anywhere. This was entirely Assistant Li's improvisation. Whether Tang Zhishong had left or not, Jiang Bin had no idea. She was surprised he had sent her anything at all and grateful for Assistant Li’s tact.
“Thank you for making the trip.”
Once Assistant Li left, Jiang Yao, instead of seeing a drama, was forced to swallow a mouthful of "dog food". She returned to her office in sour silence.
Jiang Bin closed the door and opened the box. When she saw the watch, she took a sharp breath. Twenty million was not beyond her means but it far exceeded the depth of her relationship with Tang Zhishong.
Skilled at providing the validation of those around her, she immediately took a photo of the gift and sent it to Tang Zhisong via WeChat.
[Received. Thank you, I like it very much.]
Tang Zhisong saw the message and wasn't sure how to reply. It felt a bit too much like a girlfriend thanking her boyfriend. Not wanting Jiang Bin to think he was eagerly trying to please her, he sent a photo of the roses back to her.
[Thank you for the flowers as well.]
Jiang Bin froze when she saw the roses.
When had she sent Tang Zhisong flowers?
She called Li Yang in, only to find out that Li Yang had followed the standard protocol of ordering flowers for all VIP clients, Tang Zhisong included.
He had clearly misunderstood and returned a massive gift. Explaining would only make it more awkward and if she tried to return the watch, he probably wouldn't take it back. To make amends, Jiang Bin formally ordered an even more expensive bouquet and had it sent to Tang Zhisong’s office.
Tang Zhisong stared at the even larger bouquet of roses and silently rubbed his temples. He had never liked the smell of pollen. With his temper, he would usually have left these outside but since it was Jiang Bin who sent them, he could only keep them by the window.
He told himself this was simply a husband’s courtesy. A gentleman’s grace.
Translator's Notes:
- 威斯特 (Wēisītè) is a transliteration of “West,” a fictional American semiconductor company created for the novel. I changed the name to "WestTech" so I don't get confused when translating.
- Qixi Festival (七夕节): often called the Chinese Valentine's Day, changes dates on the Gregorian calendar because it is strictly tied to the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. While our everyday calendar is based on the Earth's 365-day orbit around the sun, the lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon, which makes a lunar year about 11 days shorter. To keep the seasons from drifting too far apart, "leap months" are added every few years, causing the "7th day of the 7th lunar month" to land on a different date each August.
- "Rotten Peach Blossoms" (烂桃花): A slang term for unwanted, troublesome, or superficial romantic interests.
- "Swallowing Dog Food" (吃狗粮): PDA. A common internet slang term. "Dog food" refers to public displays of affection, and "swallowing" means being a reluctant witness to a couple's romance while being single.
- Louis XIV Rose: A high-end variety of dark purple/red roses often associated with luxury and prestige in Chinese floral culture.
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