The Marriage Harbor CH23
Chapter 23: Her Husband
Tang Zhisong placed Jiang Bin onto the master bed. His movements were dominant, yet he laid her down with striking tenderness.
The wall lamps flickered on, their glow mingling with the intoxicating neon light of the city spilling into the room. It felt as though invisible silken threads were pulling them together.
His lips never left hers. His gaze was deep and piercing—sharper and more direct than ever before. Jiang Bin hooked her arms around his neck, locked in his embrace. He had already pushed aside half of her slim cashmere dress, revealing a stretch of ivory collarbone and the soft, fluid lines of her shoulders. Her eyes were impossibly beautiful, shimmering with a turbulent gentleness.
Tang Zhisong held her waist firmly, his kiss stirring a deep heat within her. His well-defined fingers worked the buttons of her dress one by one, without haste. With every button undone, the hard lines of his muscles pressed a fraction closer, radiating a scorching warmth.
He really was exceptionally handsome. His jawline was crisp and defined, and when he focused his gaze on a person, it was easy to believe she was his entire world. He had a way of capturing hearts; even someone as mentally resilient as Jiang Bin couldn't help but lose herself for a moment.
Tang Zhisong cradled the back of her head, pulling her sharply into his chest as a wave of kisses descended, utterly stripping away her senses. If the kitchen island had been the appetizer, this was undoubtedly the main course.
She didn't want to "lose," of course, and tried her best to match his rhythm. But she had overestimated herself and underestimated the man’s sheer dominance. The disparity in strength was immense. As his palms moved over her delicate skin, a fine heat seemed to burst from her every pore.
He was like a master hunter, controlling the tempo step-by-step, ensuring he remained flawless in his execution. Neither of them were used to showing weakness.
The wall lights dimmed and brightened as the room filled with the sound of heavy, ragged breathing. Darkness became the best camouflage, masking the awkwardness that comes with unfamiliarity.
He was patient enough to let her relax, only to thrust back in just as she let her guard down. Jiang Bin suspected he was doing it on purpose; her voice was forced out in a sound that was impossibly soft.
He soothed her with tenderness, giving her ample time to adapt. Once she calmed, his fingertips drifted upward to her elegant shoulder blades. He held her entirely in his arms, in total control, as the last shred of logic was swept from her mind.
The bed seemed specially designed, like a floating island at sea. Even though the ocean breeze was strong and the waves were high, it remained steady and silent, without a single creak.
Jiang Bin couldn't remember exactly when it stopped. She only knew that the moment he pulled away, her body felt as though it had been hollowed out.
The silence was so absolute that there was nowhere for their breathing to settle; any movement felt redundant. She had thought that crossing this threshold and truly becoming "husband and wife" would lead to smooth sailing. In reality, she had ignored the sense of displacement that comes from bypassing emotional connection to reach the final physical step.
Jiang Bin didn't know what other couples were like afterward. She and Tang Zhisong lacked that deep-seated closeness; they weren't yet at the stage where they could cuddle naked to comfort one another. Perhaps it was because they were an alliance-based couple. Perhaps it was just a lack of habit. More likely, it was because such gestures belonged to lovers with a deep emotional bond.
Unable to bear the sticky heat on their skin, they rose one after the other to head for the bathroom. Tang Zhisong left the master bath for Jiang Bin and took his clothes to the secondary bathroom.
Jiang Bin stood under the shower, let the water scrub her clean. The physical weakness lingered for a long time. Having never been in a relationship before, she hadn't anticipated the intensity of it all. She had been so confident about not having a "fake" marriage—she had even bought the condoms herself—but now that it had happened, she realized her physical reactions were entirely beyond her control under such a sensory shock.
She stayed in the shower a long time. So long, in fact, that Tang Zhisong had finished tidying the room before she emerged.
Just like the last time, he worried something had happened. The usually reserved man knocked on the door. "Jiang Bin? Are you alright?" He was concerned he might have hurt her.
Jiang Bin’s steady voice came from inside. "I’m fine. Go to sleep first, I’m doing a face mask."
The atmosphere tonight was too thick with ambiguity; she wasn't quite ready to face it. Tang Zhisong felt a mix of emotions at her words. Shy? Likely not; she was usually very poised. If she was in pain, he couldn't just ignore it.
He didn't realize that Jiang Bin simply wasn't used to showing her softest side—like a clam whose hard shell had been pried open, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Tang Zhisong prepared a glass of warm water and sat on the bed to wait for her.
By the time Jiang Bin finished her hair, shower, and skincare, a full hour had passed. When she finally emerged, the bedside lamp was still on. The man was sitting up, replying to work messages on his phone. In his silk pajamas, he had returned to his usual "ascetic" and refined self. He was a world away from the aggressive, predatory man of a few hours ago—the one who, at the very end, had pinned her arms and given her a deep, final kiss.
"Not asleep yet?"
Jiang Bin ignored the recent intimacy, her tone cool as she climbed into her side of the bed. Tang Zhisong looked up, his gaze still deep. He scanned her briefly to ensure she was truly okay. "The water went cold. I’ll get you a fresh glass."
He went to the kitchen and brought the water to her side of the bed. Her eyes were clear, and though she had regained her composure, a faint flush still lingered at the edges of her brow. She had kept her face buried in his arm the whole time, refusing to let him see her. He wondered what she looked like in the throes of passion.
"Do you want more?" he asked after she finished. Her voice had been quite raspy earlier.
Jiang Bin pretended not to understand the implication and shook her head. He returned the glass and moved to turn off the light, but noticed she was still sitting up.
"Sleeping now, or waiting a bit?"
* * *
Work ramped up after the National Day holiday. With end-of-year settlements approaching, the workload was much heavier than the first half of the year. Jiang Bin worked until 9:00 PM.
The night outside was dark, and the office was silent. The breeze was as pleasant as the night before. Fragments of memory flashed through her mind. She had been too busy to think all day, but now the "after-effects" were hitting her. She had to admit—the experience had been excellent. She was getting a taste of the "blessing" netizens always talked about.
Tang Zhisong was clearly working late too. He messaged her: [What time are you coming back?]
Seeing the message, Jiang Bin thought back to last night. She had been the one to initiate the "thaw" by wearing that dress. Cheng Ying had helped her pick it out, noting that no man could resist it. Jiang Bin realized she had essentially been the proactive one last night.
She couldn't be the proactive one all the time. Tang Zhisong was a man who liked to observe and move only when certain; she couldn't let him always hold the advantage.
She replied: [I have to work late tonight.]
She didn't say she was coming back, and she didn't say she wasn't.
Tang Zhisong was stunned when he received the message. He could believe her working late Monday through Saturday, but working late on a Sunday night? Even as a global CEO with 100,000 employees, he found that hard to swallow.
Considering her reactions from last night and this morning, he suspected she was avoiding him. The usually composed young President pinched the bridge of his nose and, for the first time ever, opened a search app.
He typed: [Why does a girl avoid you after intimacy?]
He hit search and found that this was a very common concern. He clicked on the top-rated reply.
The comment at the very top read: [Brother, it’s definitely because the experience wasn't great and she obviously doesn't want another round.]
Bang. Tang Zhisong threw his phone on the table.
Translator's Note:
Tang Zhisong placed Jiang Bin onto the master bed. His movements were dominant, yet he laid her down with striking tenderness.
The wall lamps flickered on, their glow mingling with the intoxicating neon light of the city spilling into the room. It felt as though invisible silken threads were pulling them together.
His lips never left hers. His gaze was deep and piercing—sharper and more direct than ever before. Jiang Bin hooked her arms around his neck, locked in his embrace. He had already pushed aside half of her slim cashmere dress, revealing a stretch of ivory collarbone and the soft, fluid lines of her shoulders. Her eyes were impossibly beautiful, shimmering with a turbulent gentleness.
Tang Zhisong held her waist firmly, his kiss stirring a deep heat within her. His well-defined fingers worked the buttons of her dress one by one, without haste. With every button undone, the hard lines of his muscles pressed a fraction closer, radiating a scorching warmth.
He really was exceptionally handsome. His jawline was crisp and defined, and when he focused his gaze on a person, it was easy to believe she was his entire world. He had a way of capturing hearts; even someone as mentally resilient as Jiang Bin couldn't help but lose herself for a moment.
Tang Zhisong cradled the back of her head, pulling her sharply into his chest as a wave of kisses descended, utterly stripping away her senses. If the kitchen island had been the appetizer, this was undoubtedly the main course.
She didn't want to "lose," of course, and tried her best to match his rhythm. But she had overestimated herself and underestimated the man’s sheer dominance. The disparity in strength was immense. As his palms moved over her delicate skin, a fine heat seemed to burst from her every pore.
He was like a master hunter, controlling the tempo step-by-step, ensuring he remained flawless in his execution. Neither of them were used to showing weakness.
The wall lights dimmed and brightened as the room filled with the sound of heavy, ragged breathing. Darkness became the best camouflage, masking the awkwardness that comes with unfamiliarity.
He was patient enough to let her relax, only to thrust back in just as she let her guard down. Jiang Bin suspected he was doing it on purpose; her voice was forced out in a sound that was impossibly soft.
He soothed her with tenderness, giving her ample time to adapt. Once she calmed, his fingertips drifted upward to her elegant shoulder blades. He held her entirely in his arms, in total control, as the last shred of logic was swept from her mind.
The bed seemed specially designed, like a floating island at sea. Even though the ocean breeze was strong and the waves were high, it remained steady and silent, without a single creak.
Jiang Bin couldn't remember exactly when it stopped. She only knew that the moment he pulled away, her body felt as though it had been hollowed out.
The silence was so absolute that there was nowhere for their breathing to settle; any movement felt redundant. She had thought that crossing this threshold and truly becoming "husband and wife" would lead to smooth sailing. In reality, she had ignored the sense of displacement that comes from bypassing emotional connection to reach the final physical step.
Jiang Bin didn't know what other couples were like afterward. She and Tang Zhisong lacked that deep-seated closeness; they weren't yet at the stage where they could cuddle naked to comfort one another. Perhaps it was because they were an alliance-based couple. Perhaps it was just a lack of habit. More likely, it was because such gestures belonged to lovers with a deep emotional bond.
Unable to bear the sticky heat on their skin, they rose one after the other to head for the bathroom. Tang Zhisong left the master bath for Jiang Bin and took his clothes to the secondary bathroom.
Jiang Bin stood under the shower, let the water scrub her clean. The physical weakness lingered for a long time. Having never been in a relationship before, she hadn't anticipated the intensity of it all. She had been so confident about not having a "fake" marriage—she had even bought the condoms herself—but now that it had happened, she realized her physical reactions were entirely beyond her control under such a sensory shock.
She stayed in the shower a long time. So long, in fact, that Tang Zhisong had finished tidying the room before she emerged.
Just like the last time, he worried something had happened. The usually reserved man knocked on the door. "Jiang Bin? Are you alright?" He was concerned he might have hurt her.
Jiang Bin’s steady voice came from inside. "I’m fine. Go to sleep first, I’m doing a face mask."
The atmosphere tonight was too thick with ambiguity; she wasn't quite ready to face it. Tang Zhisong felt a mix of emotions at her words. Shy? Likely not; she was usually very poised. If she was in pain, he couldn't just ignore it.
He didn't realize that Jiang Bin simply wasn't used to showing her softest side—like a clam whose hard shell had been pried open, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Tang Zhisong prepared a glass of warm water and sat on the bed to wait for her.
By the time Jiang Bin finished her hair, shower, and skincare, a full hour had passed. When she finally emerged, the bedside lamp was still on. The man was sitting up, replying to work messages on his phone. In his silk pajamas, he had returned to his usual "ascetic" and refined self. He was a world away from the aggressive, predatory man of a few hours ago—the one who, at the very end, had pinned her arms and given her a deep, final kiss.
"Not asleep yet?"
Jiang Bin ignored the recent intimacy, her tone cool as she climbed into her side of the bed. Tang Zhisong looked up, his gaze still deep. He scanned her briefly to ensure she was truly okay. "The water went cold. I’ll get you a fresh glass."
He went to the kitchen and brought the water to her side of the bed. Her eyes were clear, and though she had regained her composure, a faint flush still lingered at the edges of her brow. She had kept her face buried in his arm the whole time, refusing to let him see her. He wondered what she looked like in the throes of passion.
"Do you want more?" he asked after she finished. Her voice had been quite raspy earlier.
Jiang Bin pretended not to understand the implication and shook her head. He returned the glass and moved to turn off the light, but noticed she was still sitting up.
"Sleeping now, or waiting a bit?"
"Waiting," she said, focusing on her phone.
The hot water had washed away her fatigue, and she wasn't sleepy yet. Mostly, her group chat with her friends was blowing up. Cheng Ying had posted the hiking photos, and everyone was tagging her, arrogantly calling Tang Zhisong "Brother-in-law."
Jiang Bin couldn't reconcile that title with the cold, distant man beside her. Seeing her friends' jokes helped dissolve the awkwardness, and she eventually drifted off.
* * *
She woke up late the next morning. The hike and the "intense exercise" from the night before left her muscles aching. She stared at the ceiling for several seconds before regaining her senses. Tang Zhisong was already gone.
She headed to the bathroom. She habitually put her phone on the rack, checking work schedules and group chats while she brushed her teeth. The morning bustle quickly diluted the lingering romance of the night.
A few emergencies had cropped up. Jiang Bin moved fast—makeup, clothes, laptop bag. Passing Tang Zhisong’s study, she heard him conducting a meeting in English. She didn't disturb him, grabbing some quick breakfast as she headed out. She was in such a rush she didn't even notice the steak he had sliced for her on the table.
Inside the study, Tang Zhisong heard the front door close. He frowned, paused his meeting, and went to the living room. Through the entryway camera, he saw the elevator doors closing—just a glimpse of her hemline. He went to the dining room and saw the steak was untouched; she had only taken a few pieces of coconut milk bread.
His brow furrowed deeply. She had spent forever in the bathroom last night and now left without a word. He couldn't read her attitude. She certainly hadn't been unwilling last night. He immediately dialed her number.
Traffic was bad, so Jiang Bin walked the ten-minute route to the office. Her phone was in her laptop bag as she walked and ate her bread. Between the city noise and the bag, she didn't hear it ring.
Since it was Sunday, the office was understaffed. She had to handle many things herself until her assistants, Xiao Zhou and Li Yang, arrived at 10:00 AM. By noon, she finally caught a breath. She saw Tang Zhisong’s missed call and dialed back.
"What is it?"
Tang Zhisong was signing files at his own office when he picked up. Her cool, professional tone was a sharp contrast to her softness from the night before. He took a moment to adjust. "Nothing. I just noticed you left in a hurry."
"I'm fine, no issues." She knew he was probably worried.
Usually, they would hang up quickly after a brief exchange, but not today. Tang Zhisong’s Adam's apple bobbed. "I had the chef send lunch to you. Have you received it?"
Since moving in, she had felt his care in every detail. His gentle tone reminded her of his soft kisses from last night. Her face began to heat up. Seeing an employee enter with files, she composed herself. "It should be here soon."
"Good. Remember to eat it while it’s hot."
Neither knew what to say next, yet neither wanted to hang up. Things really were different now. Even over the phone, there was an invisible, lingering pull.
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Bin cleared her throat.
The hot water had washed away her fatigue, and she wasn't sleepy yet. Mostly, her group chat with her friends was blowing up. Cheng Ying had posted the hiking photos, and everyone was tagging her, arrogantly calling Tang Zhisong "Brother-in-law."
Jiang Bin couldn't reconcile that title with the cold, distant man beside her. Seeing her friends' jokes helped dissolve the awkwardness, and she eventually drifted off.
* * *
She woke up late the next morning. The hike and the "intense exercise" from the night before left her muscles aching. She stared at the ceiling for several seconds before regaining her senses. Tang Zhisong was already gone.
She headed to the bathroom. She habitually put her phone on the rack, checking work schedules and group chats while she brushed her teeth. The morning bustle quickly diluted the lingering romance of the night.
A few emergencies had cropped up. Jiang Bin moved fast—makeup, clothes, laptop bag. Passing Tang Zhisong’s study, she heard him conducting a meeting in English. She didn't disturb him, grabbing some quick breakfast as she headed out. She was in such a rush she didn't even notice the steak he had sliced for her on the table.
Inside the study, Tang Zhisong heard the front door close. He frowned, paused his meeting, and went to the living room. Through the entryway camera, he saw the elevator doors closing—just a glimpse of her hemline. He went to the dining room and saw the steak was untouched; she had only taken a few pieces of coconut milk bread.
His brow furrowed deeply. She had spent forever in the bathroom last night and now left without a word. He couldn't read her attitude. She certainly hadn't been unwilling last night. He immediately dialed her number.
Traffic was bad, so Jiang Bin walked the ten-minute route to the office. Her phone was in her laptop bag as she walked and ate her bread. Between the city noise and the bag, she didn't hear it ring.
Since it was Sunday, the office was understaffed. She had to handle many things herself until her assistants, Xiao Zhou and Li Yang, arrived at 10:00 AM. By noon, she finally caught a breath. She saw Tang Zhisong’s missed call and dialed back.
"What is it?"
Tang Zhisong was signing files at his own office when he picked up. Her cool, professional tone was a sharp contrast to her softness from the night before. He took a moment to adjust. "Nothing. I just noticed you left in a hurry."
"I'm fine, no issues." She knew he was probably worried.
Usually, they would hang up quickly after a brief exchange, but not today. Tang Zhisong’s Adam's apple bobbed. "I had the chef send lunch to you. Have you received it?"
Since moving in, she had felt his care in every detail. His gentle tone reminded her of his soft kisses from last night. Her face began to heat up. Seeing an employee enter with files, she composed herself. "It should be here soon."
"Good. Remember to eat it while it’s hot."
Neither knew what to say next, yet neither wanted to hang up. Things really were different now. Even over the phone, there was an invisible, lingering pull.
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Bin cleared her throat.
"Anything else?"
"You hang up first," he said.
In that moment, Jiang Bin finally accepted the sudden leap in their relationship.
In that moment, Jiang Bin finally accepted the sudden leap in their relationship.
"Okay." She hung up.
She pulled up his contact and changed his name from "Tang Zhisong" to "Husband".
* * *
Work ramped up after the National Day holiday. With end-of-year settlements approaching, the workload was much heavier than the first half of the year. Jiang Bin worked until 9:00 PM.
The night outside was dark, and the office was silent. The breeze was as pleasant as the night before. Fragments of memory flashed through her mind. She had been too busy to think all day, but now the "after-effects" were hitting her. She had to admit—the experience had been excellent. She was getting a taste of the "blessing" netizens always talked about.
Tang Zhisong was clearly working late too. He messaged her: [What time are you coming back?]
Seeing the message, Jiang Bin thought back to last night. She had been the one to initiate the "thaw" by wearing that dress. Cheng Ying had helped her pick it out, noting that no man could resist it. Jiang Bin realized she had essentially been the proactive one last night.
She couldn't be the proactive one all the time. Tang Zhisong was a man who liked to observe and move only when certain; she couldn't let him always hold the advantage.
She replied: [I have to work late tonight.]
She didn't say she was coming back, and she didn't say she wasn't.
Tang Zhisong was stunned when he received the message. He could believe her working late Monday through Saturday, but working late on a Sunday night? Even as a global CEO with 100,000 employees, he found that hard to swallow.
Considering her reactions from last night and this morning, he suspected she was avoiding him. The usually composed young President pinched the bridge of his nose and, for the first time ever, opened a search app.
He typed: [Why does a girl avoid you after intimacy?]
He hit search and found that this was a very common concern. He clicked on the top-rated reply.
The comment at the very top read: [Brother, it’s definitely because the experience wasn't great and she obviously doesn't want another round.]
Bang. Tang Zhisong threw his phone on the table.
Translator's Note:
- "Opening a River Clam" (像一只河蚌): This is a beautiful, classic metaphor in Chinese literature.
- "After-effects" / "Taste of Sweetness" (食髓知味): This idiom literally means "to taste the marrow and know the flavor." It describes someone who has experienced something wonderful for the first time and is now "addicted" or craving more.
(Update Schedule: Atleast 1 Chapter every Monday & Thursday.)
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