The Marriage Harbor CH2
Chapter 2: Perfect Match
Evening arrived, painting the sky in a brilliant wash of crimson.
After their registration, Tang Zhisong drove back to the Tang Estate. Located in the western outskirts of Shanghai, the estate sat nestled against the mountains and faced the water—a peaceful retreat not far from the city's bustle. Back in the 1940s and 50s, when the country was in turmoil, the overseas Tang family had gone to great lengths to provide massive shipments of medicine and food, solving urgent crises. Later, the Shanghai government granted them this land as a token of gratitude. The Tangs had built a manor here consisting of two wings separated by lush greenery; the left wing housed his grandparents and his second uncle’s family, while the right was home to his own family of three.
When he entered, his parents were both home. His father sat on the sofa reviewing documents, while his mother leaned against the kitchen island eating grapes.
"Dad, Mom."
A servant brought him slippers. Tang Zhisong draped his suit jacket over his arm and stepped inside. Having removed his silver-rimmed glasses, his face appeared gentle and refined, though it remained as calm and unreadable as ever.
Madam Tang looked at her elegant son and pointed to a cup of coffee.
"I made this for you."
Tang Zhisong glanced at the island. There were two cups there, but none in front of his father. It was clear the two were bickering again.
He thanked her quietly as handed his jacket to the maid and approached his mother.
At that moment, Mr. Tang set down his files and looked over.
"Your Uncle Jiang called at noon. He invited our family to a banquet at his home tomorrow night. Zhisong, it’s time to finalize your marriage to Jiang Yao."
Before Tang Zhisong could react, Madam Tang's expression soured.
"Why should he marry the daughter of a mistress? I absolutely refuse! Either pick a different family for the alliance or it has to be Jiang Bin."
"Don't go ruining our family's reputation." she added. Madam Tang had never been one to tolerate flaws and detested the Jiang family’s messy domestic affairs.Mr. Tang
Mr. Tang dropped his papers, sounding irritated.
"What mistress? You know their situation perfectly well. Jiang Chengxiao never had any feelings for Jiang Bin’s mother."
"That’s a separate issue! Regardless, I don’t agree." Madam Tang said firmly.
Mr. Tang was equally resolute.
"You have to agree. Jiang Chengxiao is still the one in charge of the Jiang family. For the sake of the partnership, it can only be Jiang Yao—"
"I’ve already registered my marriage with Jiang Bin."
In the middle of the argument, Tang Zhisong casually placed the marriage certificate on the table.
Silence fell over the villa.
A visible joy spread across Madam Tang’s face. She picked up the red booklet, turning it over in her hands.
"When did this happen? Not bad, Zhisong! That’s some impressive speed."
Mr. Tang’s expression shifted instantly. He frowned, glaring at his son.
"Such a major event and you didn't consult the family?"
Tang Zhisong looked at him with a flat, neutral gaze while holding his coffee cup.
"Dad, I’m the one getting married, not you."
Mr. Tang choked on his words. This son had never been someone he could control. He went silent with rage; the deed was done and further scolding was pointless. His face remained dark, wondering how he would explain this to Jiang Chengxiao.
In the meantime, Madam Tang had already snapped a photo of the certificate and posted it to her WeChat Moments with the caption: [I finally have a daughter-in-law! Look, what a perfectly matched couple.]
On the wedding photo, though the two were posed formally and without intimacy, their looks were one in a million. They looked exceptionally well-matched.
One could imagine the shockwave this post would send through Shanghai’s social circles. Since the Tang family returned to the country, Tang Zhisong’s marriage had been the subject of intense scrutiny, with elites from every sector trying to arrange an alliance.
In terms of individual talent, Jiang Bin was second to none. But in terms of family backing, she was the worst choice; Jiang Chengxiao clearly didn't care for her. Usually, an alliance depended on family strength.
In Madam Tang’s eyes, just like his grandfather, her son must have chosen Jiang Bin because of an old promise.
"Your grandfather will be very happy," she said.
Knowing what she was thinking, Tang Zhisong explained in a cool tone.
"She happens to be the most suitable."
In essence, Jiang Bin was the same type of person as he was. She didn't seek emotional entanglement, which would save a lot of trouble after the wedding. Neither of them had the time for romance.
For instance, at this very moment, he was certain Jiang Bin was using that marriage certificate to fight Jiang Chengxiao for projects, rather than acting spoiled and demanding a wedding, a ring, or photos.
* * *
Evening arrived, painting the sky in a brilliant wash of crimson.
After their registration, Tang Zhisong drove back to the Tang Estate. Located in the western outskirts of Shanghai, the estate sat nestled against the mountains and faced the water—a peaceful retreat not far from the city's bustle. Back in the 1940s and 50s, when the country was in turmoil, the overseas Tang family had gone to great lengths to provide massive shipments of medicine and food, solving urgent crises. Later, the Shanghai government granted them this land as a token of gratitude. The Tangs had built a manor here consisting of two wings separated by lush greenery; the left wing housed his grandparents and his second uncle’s family, while the right was home to his own family of three.
When he entered, his parents were both home. His father sat on the sofa reviewing documents, while his mother leaned against the kitchen island eating grapes.
"Dad, Mom."
A servant brought him slippers. Tang Zhisong draped his suit jacket over his arm and stepped inside. Having removed his silver-rimmed glasses, his face appeared gentle and refined, though it remained as calm and unreadable as ever.
Madam Tang looked at her elegant son and pointed to a cup of coffee.
"I made this for you."
Tang Zhisong glanced at the island. There were two cups there, but none in front of his father. It was clear the two were bickering again.
He thanked her quietly as handed his jacket to the maid and approached his mother.
At that moment, Mr. Tang set down his files and looked over.
"Your Uncle Jiang called at noon. He invited our family to a banquet at his home tomorrow night. Zhisong, it’s time to finalize your marriage to Jiang Yao."
Before Tang Zhisong could react, Madam Tang's expression soured.
"Why should he marry the daughter of a mistress? I absolutely refuse! Either pick a different family for the alliance or it has to be Jiang Bin."
"Don't go ruining our family's reputation." she added. Madam Tang had never been one to tolerate flaws and detested the Jiang family’s messy domestic affairs.Mr. Tang
Mr. Tang dropped his papers, sounding irritated.
"What mistress? You know their situation perfectly well. Jiang Chengxiao never had any feelings for Jiang Bin’s mother."
"That’s a separate issue! Regardless, I don’t agree." Madam Tang said firmly.
Mr. Tang was equally resolute.
"You have to agree. Jiang Chengxiao is still the one in charge of the Jiang family. For the sake of the partnership, it can only be Jiang Yao—"
"I’ve already registered my marriage with Jiang Bin."
In the middle of the argument, Tang Zhisong casually placed the marriage certificate on the table.
Silence fell over the villa.
A visible joy spread across Madam Tang’s face. She picked up the red booklet, turning it over in her hands.
"When did this happen? Not bad, Zhisong! That’s some impressive speed."
Mr. Tang’s expression shifted instantly. He frowned, glaring at his son.
"Such a major event and you didn't consult the family?"
Tang Zhisong looked at him with a flat, neutral gaze while holding his coffee cup.
"Dad, I’m the one getting married, not you."
Mr. Tang choked on his words. This son had never been someone he could control. He went silent with rage; the deed was done and further scolding was pointless. His face remained dark, wondering how he would explain this to Jiang Chengxiao.
In the meantime, Madam Tang had already snapped a photo of the certificate and posted it to her WeChat Moments with the caption: [I finally have a daughter-in-law! Look, what a perfectly matched couple.]
On the wedding photo, though the two were posed formally and without intimacy, their looks were one in a million. They looked exceptionally well-matched.
One could imagine the shockwave this post would send through Shanghai’s social circles. Since the Tang family returned to the country, Tang Zhisong’s marriage had been the subject of intense scrutiny, with elites from every sector trying to arrange an alliance.
In terms of individual talent, Jiang Bin was second to none. But in terms of family backing, she was the worst choice; Jiang Chengxiao clearly didn't care for her. Usually, an alliance depended on family strength.
In Madam Tang’s eyes, just like his grandfather, her son must have chosen Jiang Bin because of an old promise.
"Your grandfather will be very happy," she said.
Knowing what she was thinking, Tang Zhisong explained in a cool tone.
"She happens to be the most suitable."
In essence, Jiang Bin was the same type of person as he was. She didn't seek emotional entanglement, which would save a lot of trouble after the wedding. Neither of them had the time for romance.
For instance, at this very moment, he was certain Jiang Bin was using that marriage certificate to fight Jiang Chengxiao for projects, rather than acting spoiled and demanding a wedding, a ring, or photos.
* * *
He wasn't wrong. At that moment, Jiang Bin was sitting in the Chairman’s office.
Jiang Chengxiao had just come from a board meeting. Because of the shipyard incident, several board members had criticized his favoritism. He was exhausted and his mood darkened further upon seeing Jiang Bin.
"What is it?" he asked coldly.
Jiang Bin sat in the swivel chair across from him and leisurely spread the marriage certificate out on his desk.
"Dad, I’ve registered my marriage with Tang Zhisong. All projects involving the Tang family alliance are to be handed over to me."
Jiang Chengxiao’s eyes flickered over the red book. His face transformed instantly.
"When did this happen? Tang Zhisong agreed to this? How is that possible?"
Jiang Bin didn't bother explaining. She simply repeated her demand.
Jiang Chengxiao stared deeply at his daughter, fury rising in his chest. It took a long moment for him to compose himself.
"Binbin, even if you’re married to Tang Zhisong, the Group will not be handed to you. As for the Tang projects, I will discuss them slowly with his father."
To put it plainly, he still didn't want her involved.
Jiang Bin rested her hands on the desk and smiled.
"Dad, you might have the final say in the Jiang family, but Chairman Tang doesn't have the final say in theirs."
While Mr. Tang managed large-scale traditional sectors, his assets were far behind Ningsheng Technology in terms of profit and market value. In the Jiang family, the siblings had to obey their father; but in the Tang family, once Tang Zhisong made a decision, his father could only cooperate. This was why Jiang Bin had bypassed the parents and went directly straight to Tang Zhisong.
"You can try," she added. "See if the Tang family will honor those projects if I am not the one handling them."
Jiang Chengxiao’s face turned green. At that moment, his phone buzzed with a WeChat message from his wife. It was a screenshot of Madam Tang’s post.
Madam Tang had publicly acknowledged Jiang Bin as her daughter-in-law. It was a settled matter.
Jiang Chengxiao locked his phone and looked at his daughter with cold detachment.
"Binbin, I’ll say it again: the company will only ever belong to your brother. Even a marriage to the Tangs won't change that."
The Tang projects were merely the "icing on the cake". They didn't touch the core business of residential and commercial real estate.
Jiang Bin didn't argue. Instead, she pressed the intercom and summoned the Board Secretary. Moments later, the secretary entered. Jiang Bin flashed the certificate.
"Spread the word. Have all relevant personnel transfer the Tang family projects to my office."
By 'relevant personnel' she meant Jiang Yao.
The secretary glanced at Jiang Chengxiao. The Chairman sat with his hands clasped, his expression grim, but he did not deny it.
The secretary nodded.
"I’ll handle it immediately."
As he left, Jiang Bin tucked the certificate away.
"Binbin," Jiang Chengxiao said suddenly, "there is no love between you and Tang Zhisong. What is the use of such a marriage?"
He and Jiang Bin’s mother had been forced into marriage while they were both in love with other people. Both had been unfaithful. After he had a son and daughter with Chen Ling, the family elders pressured them to have a child. They chose IVF.
Jiang Bin was that IVF baby. After her birth, they divorced immediately to start their own separate families. Jiang Bin was raised by her paternal grandparents. After they died in a car crash when she was eleven, she was sent abroad, returning only four years ago.
Because she was just a 'test-tube baby', he felt no emotional connection to her. He assumed that since she had suffered, she wouldn't accept a loveless marriage.
Jiang Bin caught his meaning. She smiled as she put the booklet away.
"At least I won't betray the marriage."
If Tang Zhisong wanted to live a quiet life with her, they would. If not, they would divorce once their goals were met. Until then, they wouldn't have children.
Jiang Chengxiao went silent for a moment.
"I hope you don't regret this."
Jiang Bin’s smile remained unchanged.
"Don't worry, Dad. I never do anything I’ll regret. Once it’s done, I refuse to look back."
* * *
Jiang Chengxiao had just come from a board meeting. Because of the shipyard incident, several board members had criticized his favoritism. He was exhausted and his mood darkened further upon seeing Jiang Bin.
"What is it?" he asked coldly.
Jiang Bin sat in the swivel chair across from him and leisurely spread the marriage certificate out on his desk.
"Dad, I’ve registered my marriage with Tang Zhisong. All projects involving the Tang family alliance are to be handed over to me."
Jiang Chengxiao’s eyes flickered over the red book. His face transformed instantly.
"When did this happen? Tang Zhisong agreed to this? How is that possible?"
Jiang Bin didn't bother explaining. She simply repeated her demand.
Jiang Chengxiao stared deeply at his daughter, fury rising in his chest. It took a long moment for him to compose himself.
"Binbin, even if you’re married to Tang Zhisong, the Group will not be handed to you. As for the Tang projects, I will discuss them slowly with his father."
To put it plainly, he still didn't want her involved.
Jiang Bin rested her hands on the desk and smiled.
"Dad, you might have the final say in the Jiang family, but Chairman Tang doesn't have the final say in theirs."
While Mr. Tang managed large-scale traditional sectors, his assets were far behind Ningsheng Technology in terms of profit and market value. In the Jiang family, the siblings had to obey their father; but in the Tang family, once Tang Zhisong made a decision, his father could only cooperate. This was why Jiang Bin had bypassed the parents and went directly straight to Tang Zhisong.
"You can try," she added. "See if the Tang family will honor those projects if I am not the one handling them."
Jiang Chengxiao’s face turned green. At that moment, his phone buzzed with a WeChat message from his wife. It was a screenshot of Madam Tang’s post.
Madam Tang had publicly acknowledged Jiang Bin as her daughter-in-law. It was a settled matter.
Jiang Chengxiao locked his phone and looked at his daughter with cold detachment.
"Binbin, I’ll say it again: the company will only ever belong to your brother. Even a marriage to the Tangs won't change that."
The Tang projects were merely the "icing on the cake". They didn't touch the core business of residential and commercial real estate.
Jiang Bin didn't argue. Instead, she pressed the intercom and summoned the Board Secretary. Moments later, the secretary entered. Jiang Bin flashed the certificate.
"Spread the word. Have all relevant personnel transfer the Tang family projects to my office."
By 'relevant personnel' she meant Jiang Yao.
The secretary glanced at Jiang Chengxiao. The Chairman sat with his hands clasped, his expression grim, but he did not deny it.
The secretary nodded.
"I’ll handle it immediately."
As he left, Jiang Bin tucked the certificate away.
"Binbin," Jiang Chengxiao said suddenly, "there is no love between you and Tang Zhisong. What is the use of such a marriage?"
He and Jiang Bin’s mother had been forced into marriage while they were both in love with other people. Both had been unfaithful. After he had a son and daughter with Chen Ling, the family elders pressured them to have a child. They chose IVF.
Jiang Bin was that IVF baby. After her birth, they divorced immediately to start their own separate families. Jiang Bin was raised by her paternal grandparents. After they died in a car crash when she was eleven, she was sent abroad, returning only four years ago.
Because she was just a 'test-tube baby', he felt no emotional connection to her. He assumed that since she had suffered, she wouldn't accept a loveless marriage.
Jiang Bin caught his meaning. She smiled as she put the booklet away.
"At least I won't betray the marriage."
If Tang Zhisong wanted to live a quiet life with her, they would. If not, they would divorce once their goals were met. Until then, they wouldn't have children.
Jiang Chengxiao went silent for a moment.
"I hope you don't regret this."
Jiang Bin’s smile remained unchanged.
"Don't worry, Dad. I never do anything I’ll regret. Once it’s done, I refuse to look back."
* * *
On the other side of the floor, Jiang Yao was about to take her team out to celebrate her "win," only to be hit with the news of the marriage. She stormed over to Jiang Bin’s office in a rage, but Jiang Bin’s assistant blocked her way.
Jiang Bin’s phone was flooded with congratulatory messages. She replied to them one by one, having no time for Jiang Yao. Among them was a message from her stepmother, Chen Ling.
[Bingbing, congratulations on your marriage to Zhisong. Bring him over for dinner when you’re free. If you need help with the wedding, just ask. I wish you both a long life together.]
"Bingbing" was her childhood nickname. Ironically, Jiang Bin had the most harmonious relationship in the family with her stepmother. She replied with a simple "Okay".
No matter how angry Jiang Yao was, she had to follow the Secretary’s orders. She watched Jiang Bin through the glass partition of the opposite office and called her.
"What a move," Jiang Yao hissed over the line. "You actually managed to get Tang Zhisong!"
Jiang Yao had tried to go through the Old Master Tang several times to get close to Zhisong, but he had always rejected her, citing a busy schedule.
She glared directly at Jiang Bin. With the Tang family behind her, Jiang Bin was now a force to be reckoned with.
Jiang Bin answered the call with a light laugh.
"Second Sister, today is June 28th. If I were you, I wouldn't waste time on bitter words. I’d be checking if your quarterly KPIs are met. The mid-year review is starting soon. How much more performance do you need to squeeze out?"
Furious, Jiang Yao slammed the phone down and ran to the Chairman's office.
Hearing the dial tone, Jiang Bin set her phone aside and told her assistant to buy Americanos for everyone in the department.
The next few days were a blur of activity. The Tang projects were distributed and the teams were restructured. The Jiang Group controlled hundreds of subsidiaries and they practiced a "wolf culture" of cutthroat competition. The core business was in the hands of the Chairman and the eldest son. Film and energy investments were controlled by Jiang Yao. Jiang Bin only held home renovation and management consulting—sectors with low profit margins.
Since net profit was the most important metric, Jiang Chengxiao’s goal had been to force her to give up her inheritance and settle for being a pampered socialite. Her performance pressure was immense. These new Tang projects were a much-needed lifeline.
In the week following the registration, she and Tang Zhisong hadn't contacted each other once.
* * *
Jiang Bin’s phone was flooded with congratulatory messages. She replied to them one by one, having no time for Jiang Yao. Among them was a message from her stepmother, Chen Ling.
[Bingbing, congratulations on your marriage to Zhisong. Bring him over for dinner when you’re free. If you need help with the wedding, just ask. I wish you both a long life together.]
"Bingbing" was her childhood nickname. Ironically, Jiang Bin had the most harmonious relationship in the family with her stepmother. She replied with a simple "Okay".
No matter how angry Jiang Yao was, she had to follow the Secretary’s orders. She watched Jiang Bin through the glass partition of the opposite office and called her.
"What a move," Jiang Yao hissed over the line. "You actually managed to get Tang Zhisong!"
Jiang Yao had tried to go through the Old Master Tang several times to get close to Zhisong, but he had always rejected her, citing a busy schedule.
She glared directly at Jiang Bin. With the Tang family behind her, Jiang Bin was now a force to be reckoned with.
Jiang Bin answered the call with a light laugh.
"Second Sister, today is June 28th. If I were you, I wouldn't waste time on bitter words. I’d be checking if your quarterly KPIs are met. The mid-year review is starting soon. How much more performance do you need to squeeze out?"
Furious, Jiang Yao slammed the phone down and ran to the Chairman's office.
Hearing the dial tone, Jiang Bin set her phone aside and told her assistant to buy Americanos for everyone in the department.
The next few days were a blur of activity. The Tang projects were distributed and the teams were restructured. The Jiang Group controlled hundreds of subsidiaries and they practiced a "wolf culture" of cutthroat competition. The core business was in the hands of the Chairman and the eldest son. Film and energy investments were controlled by Jiang Yao. Jiang Bin only held home renovation and management consulting—sectors with low profit margins.
Since net profit was the most important metric, Jiang Chengxiao’s goal had been to force her to give up her inheritance and settle for being a pampered socialite. Her performance pressure was immense. These new Tang projects were a much-needed lifeline.
In the week following the registration, she and Tang Zhisong hadn't contacted each other once.
* * *
While the Jiangs were cold about the marriage, the Tangs were much more enthusiastic. Madam Tang kept prodding her son.
"You’re a family now. Bring Binbin over to the house."
Tang Zhisong expected this and didn't refuse.
"Alright."
Seeing his indifferent expression, Madam Tang knew he wasn't taking the marriage seriously.
"It’s an alliance but shouldn't we have a grand wedding?"
She believed a wedding would foster feelings. She only had one son, unlike her sister-in-law who had four children. She had always been envious when she saw her sister-in-law out shopping with daughters. To her, having a daughter-in-law was like finally having a daughter. She hoped Jiang Bin would move in soon.
Tang Zhisong loathed the idea of a noisy, emotional spectacle where he was the center of attention. He assumed Jiang Bin, busy with her corporate warfare, wouldn't care for it either.
"I’ll contact her," he said dismissively.
"You can discuss it with her. I'll cooperate."
Seven days after they registered, Tang Zhisong finally sent her a text.
[Are you free tomorrow night? My family wants to see you.]
The message box, bearing the Ningsheng Technology logo, popped up unexpectedly. Jiang Bin was at her kitchen island replying to work emails. Seeing the ID: "President Tang" she froze for a second. If not for this text, she would have almost forgotten she was married.
They had added each other on WeChat years ago at a business meeting in New York. Aside from a single "handshake" emoji sent that day, there had been no contact until now. His profile picture was plain, and his name was his full name—clearly a work account. Whether he had a private account, she didn't know nor did she have the right to ask.
She replied immediately.
[Free. Time and place?]
A crisp, efficient response.
A moment later, he sent a location pin followed by: [6:00 PM.]
Jiang Bin sent an "OK" emoji. He didn't reply again.
Translator's Notes:
"You’re a family now. Bring Binbin over to the house."
Tang Zhisong expected this and didn't refuse.
"Alright."
Seeing his indifferent expression, Madam Tang knew he wasn't taking the marriage seriously.
"It’s an alliance but shouldn't we have a grand wedding?"
She believed a wedding would foster feelings. She only had one son, unlike her sister-in-law who had four children. She had always been envious when she saw her sister-in-law out shopping with daughters. To her, having a daughter-in-law was like finally having a daughter. She hoped Jiang Bin would move in soon.
Tang Zhisong loathed the idea of a noisy, emotional spectacle where he was the center of attention. He assumed Jiang Bin, busy with her corporate warfare, wouldn't care for it either.
"I’ll contact her," he said dismissively.
"You can discuss it with her. I'll cooperate."
Seven days after they registered, Tang Zhisong finally sent her a text.
[Are you free tomorrow night? My family wants to see you.]
The message box, bearing the Ningsheng Technology logo, popped up unexpectedly. Jiang Bin was at her kitchen island replying to work emails. Seeing the ID: "President Tang" she froze for a second. If not for this text, she would have almost forgotten she was married.
They had added each other on WeChat years ago at a business meeting in New York. Aside from a single "handshake" emoji sent that day, there had been no contact until now. His profile picture was plain, and his name was his full name—clearly a work account. Whether he had a private account, she didn't know nor did she have the right to ask.
She replied immediately.
[Free. Time and place?]
A crisp, efficient response.
A moment later, he sent a location pin followed by: [6:00 PM.]
Jiang Bin sent an "OK" emoji. He didn't reply again.
Translator's Notes:
- "Little Three" (Xiao San/小三): Derogatory slang for a mistress. Madam Tang’s use of this emphasizes the social stigma of Jiang Yao彬’s birth, marking her as "illegitimate" in the eyes of old-money society.
- Binbin (彬彬): This is Jiang Bin's "official" nickname used by her family and social circle. It’s a direct play on the Bin (江彬) in her name.
- Bingbing (冰冰): This is her childhood nickname. But it's mostly used by those who have a slightly closer relationship with her. The character for 'Bing' means "Ice" which is an affectionate nod to Jiang Bin's cool, professional exterior.
- KPI: Key Performance Indicator is a quantifiable measure used to evaluate the success of an organization, employee, or specific project in meeting objectives for performance.
- Wolf Culture (狼性文化): A high-pressure corporate philosophy emphasizing aggression, survival of the fittest, and zero-sum competition.
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