The Marriage Harbor CH29
Chapter 29: "How Do You Usually Coax Your Wife?"
Taking over the charity gala meant an immediate, staggering increase in workload.
Jiang Bin already possessed a vast network, and with the added prestige of being Tang Zhisong’s wife, the RSVPs flowed in effortlessly. CEOs and industry titans responded with rare promptness, half out of respect for her and the Jiang family, and the other half hoping to catch a glimpse of the man behind the curtain.
Many inquired tentatively: "President Tang will be attending this year, won't he?"
In the past, Tang Zhisong had never appeared personally, offering only a massive donation in his company's name. His physical presence would elevate the gala from a mere charity event to an elite business gathering. Jiang Bin understood the deep currents of interest involved.
She hoped he would make an exception for her, but she offered no promises, only a polished: "This year’s gala will certainly be different. We shall wait and see."
While the physical logistics of the gala were handled by her team, the true weight of the networking rested solely on Jiang Bin. Only she held the standing required to navigate the business world's "Old Guard", leveraging a potent mix of her own professional credibility and the enduring prestige of her grandfather's name.
Her status as the Tang family’s current matriarch acted as a final, undeniable multiplier, turning a simple invitation into a strategic necessity. The impact was immediate. A stunned Jiang Chengxiao watched as board members reported that legendary CEOs—industry titans who had been unreachable for years—were now bypassing formal channels and personally requesting a seat at her table.
"Do you see the difference now?" Elder Qiu remarked, smiling at Jiang Chengxiao. "Binbin and Yaoyao aren't even in the same league. Honestly, even Shaoyu lacks her grit. Your father felt the same. We should use this gala to announce her as the Group’s General Manager."
Jiang Chengxiao’s face turned stony. "Binbin is excellent, but she has married into the Tang family. Do you want the Jiang Group to be swallowed by Tang Zhisong? If it falls into his hands, do you think any of you will still have a seat at the table?"
His words effectively silenced the directors.
Elder Qiu scoffed, "They signed a prenuptial agreement. The Group is protected."
But Jiang Chengxiao remained adamant: the position would only ever belong to his son.
Later, Jiang Chengxiao summoned Jiang Bin to review the guest list.
"The high-profile ones are still pending." she noted.
"I'll call them personally," Jiang Chengxiao said. These were the industry titans, the 'Grandmasters' of the business world. Even Jiang Bin lacked the seniority to move them. It was clear he intended to use this gala to solidify his own reputation as the "Alliance Leader" of the industry.
"Is Tang Zhisong attending?" he asked.
Jiang Bin didn't mention their friction. "He's busy with R&D, and his schedule is unconfirmed. I’m heading to the Tang Estate to ask my father-in-law."
"Don't bother with your father-in-law," Jiang Chengxiao replied. "He’s currently in a standoff with several global consortiums trying to buy his ports. He's under too much pressure to make a public appearance."
The Tang family's influence at the governmental level was unparalleled, anchored by their control over the lifelines of global shipping. This was the main reason why someone like Li Hui was willing to cast aside her dignity to chase after Tang Zhisong. Jiang Chengxiao still lamented that Jiang Yao hadn't secured the alliance.
"Find a way to convince Tang Zhisong to show up," he commanded.
Jiang Bin gave a lukewarm nod. Back in her office, logic told her to call him, but her pride held her back. She had already moved back to Emerald Heights—that was her olive branch. She wasn't ready to bow any lower just yet.
She had already promised Madam Tang she would visit for dinner. Since her father-in-law was absent, she focused on her mother-in-law, who now called her "Baobei" instead of "Bingbing." Madam Tang’s strategy was simple: stay invisible when the couple was together, but become the ultimate support system when her son was away and rack up "goodwill points" on his behalf.
Returning to the Tang Estate was a return to life as a pampered heiress. Madam Tang had filled a walk-in closet with new clothes for her, a gesture reminiscent of the unconditional love she once received from her grandparents. The already expansive closet had been upgraded into an entire suite, where one wall was dedicated entirely to rare-skin handbags—multiples of the same style displayed in every conceivable color..
"It seems I can use a different bag every single day this winter," Jiang Bin remarked, impressed by her mother-in-law's sheer extravagance.
During dinner, Mr. Tang finally came down from his study and expressed his regret for not being able to attend her gala due to "special circumstances" with the government, but offered to invite anyone else she needed.
"Is there anyone else you need? Tell me, and I'll get them to attend for you." He offered dotingly.
"It's alright, Dad. There's no one else." Jiang Bin smiled. Except for Tang Zhisong.
Sensing a friction between the couple, Madam Tang initiated a video call with her son during lunch in Los Angeles. Tang Zhisong cleared his office of staff before answering.
"Mom."
Madam Tang talked for a bit before casually flipping the camera toward Jiang Bin. Tang Zhisong’s screen was suddenly filled by the woman he hadn't seen in ten days. She looked radiant in a white silk shirt, her hair tied loosely.
"What did you have for dinner?" he asked his mother, his eyes fixed on Jiang Bin.
"Roast duck, stir-fried beef..." He frowned when he heard the menu.
"There's no seafood? She likes seafood." he interrupted. Madam Tang chuckled and handed the phone to Jiang Bin.
"Here, you talk to her." Madam Tang chuckled as she handed the phone to Jiang Bin and made a quick exit with her husband.
Forced into the call, Jiang Bin kept the camera pointed at the floor to avoid looking at him directly.
"Busy with work?" she asked.
Tang Zhisong stared at the white floor tiles, nearly laughing in exasperation. He quietly sighed and with a calm voice he replied: "It’s alright. R&D is wrapping up. And you?"
"I closed some projects in Suzhou."
"Why did you come back to the estate today?"
"The evening gowns Mom got me just arrived so I came back to try them on."
Tang Zhisong thought of the $200 million supercar she'd rejected and he couldn't help but ask.
"Aside from dresses, what else do you like?" He genuinely didn't know what she liked.
Jiang Bin looked at his handsome face on the screen, flawless even from a bad angle. She wanted love in this marriage, but she couldn't say that.
"A bouquet of roses," she said softly, "and an Australian Blue Lobster."
"Alright. I'll arrange it immediately."
Half an hour after hanging up, Cheng Yanjun called him.
"A-Song, the annual charity gala is on December 30th. Hosted by your President Jiang. You're coming, right?" Tang Zhisong froze. He hadn't heard a word about this.
"You're going?" His voice devoid of the frustration quietly brewing inside him.
"Of course, I was invited. Everyone wants to know if you're coming so they can talk to you about chips. You're the main attraction" Cheng Yanjun laughed.
Tang Zhisong's heart sank. He couldn't tell his friend he hadn't even been invited. Jiang Bin hadn't mentioned it once during their call. She was definitely still holding a grudge.
He hung up, feeling the absurdity of the situation. His own wife was hosting the biggest event of the year, and he was the only person in the city without an invitation.
After thirty minutes of brooding, he called Cheng Yanjun back.
"Find somewhere quiet," Tang snapped.
Cheng Yanjun stepped out of his card game. "I'm out. What is it?"
Tang Zhisong loosened his tie and rubbed his temples.
"How do you usually coax your wife?"
There was a long silence before Cheng Yanjun realized the situation.
"You haven't been invited, have you?" He exploded into hysterical laughter.
"Tang Zhisong, you finally met your match!"
"I'm hanging up," Tang Zhisong gritted his teeth.
"No, Wait! I’ll send you the married man's 'bible'. Remember to save it on your phone, brother." Cheng Yanjun wheezed.
"A bible?" The line went dead, and a moment later, a massive WeChat message popped up.
[The Art of Coaxing Your Wife.]
[Rule #1: A "Bag" cures all ills.]
Tang Zhisong: "......"
Translator’s Note:
Taking over the charity gala meant an immediate, staggering increase in workload.
Jiang Bin already possessed a vast network, and with the added prestige of being Tang Zhisong’s wife, the RSVPs flowed in effortlessly. CEOs and industry titans responded with rare promptness, half out of respect for her and the Jiang family, and the other half hoping to catch a glimpse of the man behind the curtain.
Many inquired tentatively: "President Tang will be attending this year, won't he?"
In the past, Tang Zhisong had never appeared personally, offering only a massive donation in his company's name. His physical presence would elevate the gala from a mere charity event to an elite business gathering. Jiang Bin understood the deep currents of interest involved.
She hoped he would make an exception for her, but she offered no promises, only a polished: "This year’s gala will certainly be different. We shall wait and see."
While the physical logistics of the gala were handled by her team, the true weight of the networking rested solely on Jiang Bin. Only she held the standing required to navigate the business world's "Old Guard", leveraging a potent mix of her own professional credibility and the enduring prestige of her grandfather's name.
Her status as the Tang family’s current matriarch acted as a final, undeniable multiplier, turning a simple invitation into a strategic necessity. The impact was immediate. A stunned Jiang Chengxiao watched as board members reported that legendary CEOs—industry titans who had been unreachable for years—were now bypassing formal channels and personally requesting a seat at her table.
"Do you see the difference now?" Elder Qiu remarked, smiling at Jiang Chengxiao. "Binbin and Yaoyao aren't even in the same league. Honestly, even Shaoyu lacks her grit. Your father felt the same. We should use this gala to announce her as the Group’s General Manager."
Jiang Chengxiao’s face turned stony. "Binbin is excellent, but she has married into the Tang family. Do you want the Jiang Group to be swallowed by Tang Zhisong? If it falls into his hands, do you think any of you will still have a seat at the table?"
His words effectively silenced the directors.
Elder Qiu scoffed, "They signed a prenuptial agreement. The Group is protected."
But Jiang Chengxiao remained adamant: the position would only ever belong to his son.
Later, Jiang Chengxiao summoned Jiang Bin to review the guest list.
"The high-profile ones are still pending." she noted.
"I'll call them personally," Jiang Chengxiao said. These were the industry titans, the 'Grandmasters' of the business world. Even Jiang Bin lacked the seniority to move them. It was clear he intended to use this gala to solidify his own reputation as the "Alliance Leader" of the industry.
"Is Tang Zhisong attending?" he asked.
Jiang Bin didn't mention their friction. "He's busy with R&D, and his schedule is unconfirmed. I’m heading to the Tang Estate to ask my father-in-law."
"Don't bother with your father-in-law," Jiang Chengxiao replied. "He’s currently in a standoff with several global consortiums trying to buy his ports. He's under too much pressure to make a public appearance."
The Tang family's influence at the governmental level was unparalleled, anchored by their control over the lifelines of global shipping. This was the main reason why someone like Li Hui was willing to cast aside her dignity to chase after Tang Zhisong. Jiang Chengxiao still lamented that Jiang Yao hadn't secured the alliance.
"Find a way to convince Tang Zhisong to show up," he commanded.
Jiang Bin gave a lukewarm nod. Back in her office, logic told her to call him, but her pride held her back. She had already moved back to Emerald Heights—that was her olive branch. She wasn't ready to bow any lower just yet.
She had already promised Madam Tang she would visit for dinner. Since her father-in-law was absent, she focused on her mother-in-law, who now called her "Baobei" instead of "Bingbing." Madam Tang’s strategy was simple: stay invisible when the couple was together, but become the ultimate support system when her son was away and rack up "goodwill points" on his behalf.
Returning to the Tang Estate was a return to life as a pampered heiress. Madam Tang had filled a walk-in closet with new clothes for her, a gesture reminiscent of the unconditional love she once received from her grandparents. The already expansive closet had been upgraded into an entire suite, where one wall was dedicated entirely to rare-skin handbags—multiples of the same style displayed in every conceivable color..
"It seems I can use a different bag every single day this winter," Jiang Bin remarked, impressed by her mother-in-law's sheer extravagance.
During dinner, Mr. Tang finally came down from his study and expressed his regret for not being able to attend her gala due to "special circumstances" with the government, but offered to invite anyone else she needed.
"Is there anyone else you need? Tell me, and I'll get them to attend for you." He offered dotingly.
"It's alright, Dad. There's no one else." Jiang Bin smiled. Except for Tang Zhisong.
Sensing a friction between the couple, Madam Tang initiated a video call with her son during lunch in Los Angeles. Tang Zhisong cleared his office of staff before answering.
"Mom."
Madam Tang talked for a bit before casually flipping the camera toward Jiang Bin. Tang Zhisong’s screen was suddenly filled by the woman he hadn't seen in ten days. She looked radiant in a white silk shirt, her hair tied loosely.
"What did you have for dinner?" he asked his mother, his eyes fixed on Jiang Bin.
"Roast duck, stir-fried beef..." He frowned when he heard the menu.
"There's no seafood? She likes seafood." he interrupted. Madam Tang chuckled and handed the phone to Jiang Bin.
"Here, you talk to her." Madam Tang chuckled as she handed the phone to Jiang Bin and made a quick exit with her husband.
Forced into the call, Jiang Bin kept the camera pointed at the floor to avoid looking at him directly.
"Busy with work?" she asked.
Tang Zhisong stared at the white floor tiles, nearly laughing in exasperation. He quietly sighed and with a calm voice he replied: "It’s alright. R&D is wrapping up. And you?"
"I closed some projects in Suzhou."
"Why did you come back to the estate today?"
"The evening gowns Mom got me just arrived so I came back to try them on."
Tang Zhisong thought of the $200 million supercar she'd rejected and he couldn't help but ask.
"Aside from dresses, what else do you like?" He genuinely didn't know what she liked.
Jiang Bin looked at his handsome face on the screen, flawless even from a bad angle. She wanted love in this marriage, but she couldn't say that.
"A bouquet of roses," she said softly, "and an Australian Blue Lobster."
"Alright. I'll arrange it immediately."
Half an hour after hanging up, Cheng Yanjun called him.
"A-Song, the annual charity gala is on December 30th. Hosted by your President Jiang. You're coming, right?" Tang Zhisong froze. He hadn't heard a word about this.
"You're going?" His voice devoid of the frustration quietly brewing inside him.
"Of course, I was invited. Everyone wants to know if you're coming so they can talk to you about chips. You're the main attraction" Cheng Yanjun laughed.
Tang Zhisong's heart sank. He couldn't tell his friend he hadn't even been invited. Jiang Bin hadn't mentioned it once during their call. She was definitely still holding a grudge.
He hung up, feeling the absurdity of the situation. His own wife was hosting the biggest event of the year, and he was the only person in the city without an invitation.
After thirty minutes of brooding, he called Cheng Yanjun back.
"Find somewhere quiet," Tang snapped.
Cheng Yanjun stepped out of his card game. "I'm out. What is it?"
Tang Zhisong loosened his tie and rubbed his temples.
"How do you usually coax your wife?"
There was a long silence before Cheng Yanjun realized the situation.
"You haven't been invited, have you?" He exploded into hysterical laughter.
"Tang Zhisong, you finally met your match!"
"I'm hanging up," Tang Zhisong gritted his teeth.
"No, Wait! I’ll send you the married man's 'bible'. Remember to save it on your phone, brother." Cheng Yanjun wheezed.
"A bible?" The line went dead, and a moment later, a massive WeChat message popped up.
[The Art of Coaxing Your Wife.]
[Rule #1: A "Bag" cures all ills.]
Tang Zhisong: "......"
Translator’s Note:
- "Baobei" (宝贝): means "treasure," "precious object," or "baby/darling," used as a term of endearment for loved ones or to describe something valuable. It translates directly to "precious treasure" and is commonly used by couples (babe/honey), parents to children (baby), or close friends to show affection..
- "Titan" (泰山北斗): A common idiom for people of immense stature and importance in their field.
- "Goodwill Points" (刷好感): Internet slang for performing actions to make someone like you more.
- "Bag" Cures All Ills (包治百病): A popular Chinese pun. The word for "bag" (包 - bāo) sounds like the word for "to cure/guarantee" (包). It’s a common joke that buying a woman an expensive bag solves any relationship problem.
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