The Marriage Harbor CH30
Chapter 30: A "Bag" Cures All Ills
To be fair, Tang Zhisong was skeptical of this so-called "Wife-Coaxing Bible". Could a woman as career-driven as Jiang Bin truly be swayed by a handbag? Yet, with their relationship at a standstill, he decided to treat a dead horse as a live one (adopting a "nothing to lose" attitude) and try anyway. Anything available on the open market was beneath his notice. Possessing sufficient power and wealth, he secured a piece from a famous auction house in New York—a one-of-a-kind, irreplicable heirloom.
Delayed by industry summits in New York, Tang Zhisong didn't return to China until late November. He called Jiang Bin just before boarding to confirm she was in Shanghai, keeping his return a secret to surprise her with the gift. However, when he landed and headed straight to Emerald Heights, he found the apartment empty once again.
He placed the gift on the kitchen island, tossed his black cashmere coat onto the sofa, and called her.
"Not home yet?"
"There's an emergency at the Southwest branch," Jiang Bin replied from a high-speed train. "Cheng Yin and I are on our way to Kuncheng."
Tang Zhisong fell silent at the mention of Kuncheng. It was thousands of miles away. Not wanting to dampen her professional drive, he suppressed his frustration and softened his tone. "Alright, stay safe. Call me if you need anything."
They hadn't seen each other in over twenty days. This cycle of brief reunions and long separations was hard on any couple. That night, lying in the bed they usually shared, he realized that while he was once used to sleeping alone, he now felt a nagging restlessness without her beside him. He didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning.
While Jiang Bin was away, Tang Zhisong threw himself into his work. What began with software development and AI-integrated smart homes had exploded into a major breakthrough in the artificial intelligence industry—a classic case of "no intention to plant the willow" leading to a forest of success. Facing Western blockades on high-performance chips, Tang Zhisong’s pride refused to let him retreat. He poured money into R&D, secured the industry's top talent, and challenged WestTech head-on. Now, Ningsheng Technology stands as China’s largest chip supplier—a true industry giant.
Despite his punishing schedule, he checked Jiang Bin’s itinerary every night. She was also busy and didn't always reply, but he didn't mind.
On December 1st, Jiang Bin was sidelined at her hotel in Kuncheng by her menstrual cycle. Knowing she was unwell, Tang Zhisong called her during his morning commute.
"Have you eaten breakfast?"
"I have. The hotel breakfast is actually quite good." she replied.
"Then rest properly before you get back to work." he urged, concerned by her relentless pace.
Jiang Bin was curled up on a sofa with a pillow, her head throbbing.
"I've already dumped most of the work on Cheng Ying, but I still have some things to take care of. Besides, if I don't wrap things up quickly, I'll be stuck here for days..." Jiang Bin admitted she was pushing to wrap things up so she could return sooner. She wanted to see him.
Tang Zhisong sighed. "I'll send someone over to take care of you."
"No need. I'll be fine by tomorrow."
A silence stretched between them.
"I'm almost at the office," He said, implying he had to hang up, though he wanted her to be the one to do it.
"Oh right," Jiang Bin remembered. "I need to call my cousin anyway."
She mentioned calling Mu Yun to check on her plants back at her penthouse, Tang Zhisong’s brow furrowed.
"Why trouble someone else with such a small thing?"
Jiang Bin blinked. To her, Mu Yun wasn't 'someone else', he was her cousin who had been looking out for her after all, but she caught Tang Zhisong’s drift.
"So... you'll help me?" she tested.
"Tell me the passcode. I'll go over at noon." It was his first time acting as an errand boy, but he told himself it was only right—she was his wife. When Jiang Bin hung up, a beautiful smile bloomed in her face. She hadn't expected a man as busy as him to deign to do such chores.
At noon, Tang Zhisong arrived at Zhouyue International. He couldn't help but mock himself; he had been married for months and was only now receiving the passcode to his wife's apartment.
When he stepped out onto the terrace, he was struck by the vibrant life flourishing there. He texted Jiang Bin to announce his arrival, then found the watering can, only to stand there in uncharacteristic hesitation. He had never actually done this before. He vaguely recalled his mother mentioning that different flowers required specific amounts of water, and his pride wouldn't allow him to accidentally kill her plants.
Seeing his text, Jiang Bin placed a video call. When the screen finally flickered to life, however, she didn't see his face. Instead, the frame was filled entirely with the floor of her own terrace. She realized immediately that he was giving her a taste of her own medicine—repaying her in kind for making him stare at the floor tiles during their last call at the Tang Estate.
"Start from the door," she instructed, her voice trailing off into a soft, knowing laugh. "Three pumps of the mister for the first pot..."
The man did exactly as he was told. His lean, pale fingers occasionally flashing across the screen as he worked. He worked in silence, making it seem like no one was there at all.
"Some of the leaves are withered. They need trimming," she noted.
"I have time. Where are the shears?"
"In the cabinet by the balcony."
Jiang Bin watched as a pair of long-handled pruners appeared on screen. She burst out laughing.
"Mr. Tang, could you please turn the camera around? I want to see your technique so you don't cut the wrong thing."
Tang Zhisong paused, then set the phone on a flower stand, aiming it at himself.
"Where do I start?" he asked, his expression dead serious.
Finally, his handsome face appeared on the screen. Even in a black suit with a pair of oversized garden shears, he looked strikingly elegant. Jiang Bin, wanting to see how far his patience went, nitpicked every single plant.
Eventually, he looked at the screen.
"Jiang Bin, are you addicted to ordering me around?" he asked, looking into the camera with mock seriousness.
"You're the one who volunteered," she countered playfully.
After he finished, he stood by the sink drying his hands. "When are you coming back?"
"Probably five more days."
Five days...Tang Zhisong dried his hands, speechless. Jiang Bin felt bad, she was waiting for a key person in their project to sign documents on Monday.
"My tea collection is in the cabinet across from the kitchen island. My treat," she offered as thanks for his labor.
"Thanks," he gritted out, setting the phone up and making himself a cup. They finally locked eyes through the screen. She was lying on her sofa, her beautiful face resting on her arms as she watched him.
"By the way, will you be in Shanghai at the end of December?" she started.
"I will." he answered, mentally hoping she didn't notice just how quick his reply was..
"I'd like to invite you to the charity gala. I'm the one hosting it this year. Do you think you can come?" She had finally asked.
Tang Zhisong felt a wave of relief. "I'll be there."
* * *
Five days later, they missed each other again. As Jiang Bin landed in Shanghai, Tang Zhisong was boarding a flight to Western Europe. Since she couldn't see him anyway, she went straight to the office to finalize the gala preparations. When she finally reached Emerald Heights at 11 PM, she saw the gift box on the island.
She didn't open it immediately. Instead, she sat down and took a photo. She sent it to Tang Zhisong, who had just landed at his hotel.
[Is this for me?]
[Open it and see.] He replied.
They hopped on a video call. Jiang Bin opened the box, and even though she was used to luxury, she was stunned. No woman is immune to the allure of a new bag, and Jiang Bin was no exception. It was a peacock-blue crocodile skin bag, unique in design, inlaid with roses made of natural paraiba tourmalines. It featured over a thousand diamonds, including a ten-carat blue diamond. She recognized it from a magazine as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece valued at fifty million yuan.
"This must have been hard to get," she remarked, breathless.
"I pulled a few strings," he admitted, satisfied by her reaction.
"Thank you. I'll definitely wear this to the gala."
Tang Zhisong smiled. It seemed Cheng Yanjun's "wife-coaxing bible" was working.
* * *
December 30th.
The day of the gala arrived. Jiang Bin had been working around the clock, even moving into a hotel adjacent to the stadium to oversee the rehearsals. The event was a massive undertaking, with the gala itself followed by a high-stakes banquet where the city's titans would negotiate deals and secure their influence through donations. This gala was her grandfather's legacy; she felt the full weight of it.
Starting at 8 AM, guests began to arrive. Jiang Bin's brother, Jiang Shaoyu, stood at the entrance acting as the host—their father's calculated way of allowing him to build a public reputation. Meanwhile, their father and his wife, Chen Ling, remained in a private lounge to receive only the most elite guests.
Jiang Bin stayed at the presidential suite, overseeing everything via monitors. Her father messaged her: [Is Tang Zhisong here yet?]
[He's on his way from the airport.] She replied.
By 3:00 PM, an hour before the event, the venue was bustling with distinguished figures from every corner of the industry. Jiang Bin finished her makeup and donned a stunning cerulean off-shoulder evening gown that traced her silhouette perfectly. Just as she was about to head out, the door opened.
Tang Zhisong walked in, looking travel-weary but sharp in a black cashmere coat.
"You're back?" Jiang Bin breathed.
He smiled, his gaze lingering on her. "Are you heading out already?"
His assistant, Tao Xing, quickly slipped out to give them privacy. They hadn't seen each other in two months, and the air between them was a complex mix of lingering awkwardness and the spark of their previous intimacy.
"Let me get you some water," Jiang Bin offered, but Tang Zhisong stopped her.
He picked up her personal cup and drank from it, his eyes never leaving hers. She looked every bit the high-born heiress in her gown and white coat, clutching a peacock-blue bag.
The way he looked at her was direct and intense. Their eyes met, pulling at the invisible threads between them. The distance of the past months clashing with the memory of their physical closeness.
"The gala starts in an hour," she said, feeling self-conscious under his gaze. "Why don't you rest here for a bit?"
He wanted her to stay, but he knew her work always came first. "Go ahead. I'll be there shortly."
As she turned to leave, she caught his eye one last time. "Rest well. I'll call you before we start."
Other couples might have shared a kiss or a hug after such a long time apart, but they were still learning to inhabit the space between them—two powerful individuals lingering at the gates of a shared vulnerability.
Translator's Notes:
To be fair, Tang Zhisong was skeptical of this so-called "Wife-Coaxing Bible". Could a woman as career-driven as Jiang Bin truly be swayed by a handbag? Yet, with their relationship at a standstill, he decided to treat a dead horse as a live one (adopting a "nothing to lose" attitude) and try anyway. Anything available on the open market was beneath his notice. Possessing sufficient power and wealth, he secured a piece from a famous auction house in New York—a one-of-a-kind, irreplicable heirloom.
Delayed by industry summits in New York, Tang Zhisong didn't return to China until late November. He called Jiang Bin just before boarding to confirm she was in Shanghai, keeping his return a secret to surprise her with the gift. However, when he landed and headed straight to Emerald Heights, he found the apartment empty once again.
He placed the gift on the kitchen island, tossed his black cashmere coat onto the sofa, and called her.
"Not home yet?"
"There's an emergency at the Southwest branch," Jiang Bin replied from a high-speed train. "Cheng Yin and I are on our way to Kuncheng."
Tang Zhisong fell silent at the mention of Kuncheng. It was thousands of miles away. Not wanting to dampen her professional drive, he suppressed his frustration and softened his tone. "Alright, stay safe. Call me if you need anything."
They hadn't seen each other in over twenty days. This cycle of brief reunions and long separations was hard on any couple. That night, lying in the bed they usually shared, he realized that while he was once used to sleeping alone, he now felt a nagging restlessness without her beside him. He didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning.
While Jiang Bin was away, Tang Zhisong threw himself into his work. What began with software development and AI-integrated smart homes had exploded into a major breakthrough in the artificial intelligence industry—a classic case of "no intention to plant the willow" leading to a forest of success. Facing Western blockades on high-performance chips, Tang Zhisong’s pride refused to let him retreat. He poured money into R&D, secured the industry's top talent, and challenged WestTech head-on. Now, Ningsheng Technology stands as China’s largest chip supplier—a true industry giant.
Despite his punishing schedule, he checked Jiang Bin’s itinerary every night. She was also busy and didn't always reply, but he didn't mind.
On December 1st, Jiang Bin was sidelined at her hotel in Kuncheng by her menstrual cycle. Knowing she was unwell, Tang Zhisong called her during his morning commute.
"Have you eaten breakfast?"
"I have. The hotel breakfast is actually quite good." she replied.
"Then rest properly before you get back to work." he urged, concerned by her relentless pace.
Jiang Bin was curled up on a sofa with a pillow, her head throbbing.
"I've already dumped most of the work on Cheng Ying, but I still have some things to take care of. Besides, if I don't wrap things up quickly, I'll be stuck here for days..." Jiang Bin admitted she was pushing to wrap things up so she could return sooner. She wanted to see him.
Tang Zhisong sighed. "I'll send someone over to take care of you."
"No need. I'll be fine by tomorrow."
A silence stretched between them.
"I'm almost at the office," He said, implying he had to hang up, though he wanted her to be the one to do it.
"Oh right," Jiang Bin remembered. "I need to call my cousin anyway."
She mentioned calling Mu Yun to check on her plants back at her penthouse, Tang Zhisong’s brow furrowed.
"Why trouble someone else with such a small thing?"
Jiang Bin blinked. To her, Mu Yun wasn't 'someone else', he was her cousin who had been looking out for her after all, but she caught Tang Zhisong’s drift.
"So... you'll help me?" she tested.
"Tell me the passcode. I'll go over at noon." It was his first time acting as an errand boy, but he told himself it was only right—she was his wife. When Jiang Bin hung up, a beautiful smile bloomed in her face. She hadn't expected a man as busy as him to deign to do such chores.
At noon, Tang Zhisong arrived at Zhouyue International. He couldn't help but mock himself; he had been married for months and was only now receiving the passcode to his wife's apartment.
When he stepped out onto the terrace, he was struck by the vibrant life flourishing there. He texted Jiang Bin to announce his arrival, then found the watering can, only to stand there in uncharacteristic hesitation. He had never actually done this before. He vaguely recalled his mother mentioning that different flowers required specific amounts of water, and his pride wouldn't allow him to accidentally kill her plants.
Seeing his text, Jiang Bin placed a video call. When the screen finally flickered to life, however, she didn't see his face. Instead, the frame was filled entirely with the floor of her own terrace. She realized immediately that he was giving her a taste of her own medicine—repaying her in kind for making him stare at the floor tiles during their last call at the Tang Estate.
"Start from the door," she instructed, her voice trailing off into a soft, knowing laugh. "Three pumps of the mister for the first pot..."
The man did exactly as he was told. His lean, pale fingers occasionally flashing across the screen as he worked. He worked in silence, making it seem like no one was there at all.
"Some of the leaves are withered. They need trimming," she noted.
"I have time. Where are the shears?"
"In the cabinet by the balcony."
Jiang Bin watched as a pair of long-handled pruners appeared on screen. She burst out laughing.
"Mr. Tang, could you please turn the camera around? I want to see your technique so you don't cut the wrong thing."
Tang Zhisong paused, then set the phone on a flower stand, aiming it at himself.
"Where do I start?" he asked, his expression dead serious.
Finally, his handsome face appeared on the screen. Even in a black suit with a pair of oversized garden shears, he looked strikingly elegant. Jiang Bin, wanting to see how far his patience went, nitpicked every single plant.
Eventually, he looked at the screen.
"Jiang Bin, are you addicted to ordering me around?" he asked, looking into the camera with mock seriousness.
"You're the one who volunteered," she countered playfully.
After he finished, he stood by the sink drying his hands. "When are you coming back?"
"Probably five more days."
Five days...Tang Zhisong dried his hands, speechless. Jiang Bin felt bad, she was waiting for a key person in their project to sign documents on Monday.
"My tea collection is in the cabinet across from the kitchen island. My treat," she offered as thanks for his labor.
"Thanks," he gritted out, setting the phone up and making himself a cup. They finally locked eyes through the screen. She was lying on her sofa, her beautiful face resting on her arms as she watched him.
"By the way, will you be in Shanghai at the end of December?" she started.
"I will." he answered, mentally hoping she didn't notice just how quick his reply was..
"I'd like to invite you to the charity gala. I'm the one hosting it this year. Do you think you can come?" She had finally asked.
Tang Zhisong felt a wave of relief. "I'll be there."
* * *
Five days later, they missed each other again. As Jiang Bin landed in Shanghai, Tang Zhisong was boarding a flight to Western Europe. Since she couldn't see him anyway, she went straight to the office to finalize the gala preparations. When she finally reached Emerald Heights at 11 PM, she saw the gift box on the island.
She didn't open it immediately. Instead, she sat down and took a photo. She sent it to Tang Zhisong, who had just landed at his hotel.
[Is this for me?]
[Open it and see.] He replied.
They hopped on a video call. Jiang Bin opened the box, and even though she was used to luxury, she was stunned. No woman is immune to the allure of a new bag, and Jiang Bin was no exception. It was a peacock-blue crocodile skin bag, unique in design, inlaid with roses made of natural paraiba tourmalines. It featured over a thousand diamonds, including a ten-carat blue diamond. She recognized it from a magazine as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece valued at fifty million yuan.
"This must have been hard to get," she remarked, breathless.
"I pulled a few strings," he admitted, satisfied by her reaction.
"Thank you. I'll definitely wear this to the gala."
Tang Zhisong smiled. It seemed Cheng Yanjun's "wife-coaxing bible" was working.
* * *
December 30th.
The day of the gala arrived. Jiang Bin had been working around the clock, even moving into a hotel adjacent to the stadium to oversee the rehearsals. The event was a massive undertaking, with the gala itself followed by a high-stakes banquet where the city's titans would negotiate deals and secure their influence through donations. This gala was her grandfather's legacy; she felt the full weight of it.
Starting at 8 AM, guests began to arrive. Jiang Bin's brother, Jiang Shaoyu, stood at the entrance acting as the host—their father's calculated way of allowing him to build a public reputation. Meanwhile, their father and his wife, Chen Ling, remained in a private lounge to receive only the most elite guests.
Jiang Bin stayed at the presidential suite, overseeing everything via monitors. Her father messaged her: [Is Tang Zhisong here yet?]
[He's on his way from the airport.] She replied.
By 3:00 PM, an hour before the event, the venue was bustling with distinguished figures from every corner of the industry. Jiang Bin finished her makeup and donned a stunning cerulean off-shoulder evening gown that traced her silhouette perfectly. Just as she was about to head out, the door opened.
Tang Zhisong walked in, looking travel-weary but sharp in a black cashmere coat.
"You're back?" Jiang Bin breathed.
He smiled, his gaze lingering on her. "Are you heading out already?"
His assistant, Tao Xing, quickly slipped out to give them privacy. They hadn't seen each other in two months, and the air between them was a complex mix of lingering awkwardness and the spark of their previous intimacy.
"Let me get you some water," Jiang Bin offered, but Tang Zhisong stopped her.
He picked up her personal cup and drank from it, his eyes never leaving hers. She looked every bit the high-born heiress in her gown and white coat, clutching a peacock-blue bag.
The way he looked at her was direct and intense. Their eyes met, pulling at the invisible threads between them. The distance of the past months clashing with the memory of their physical closeness.
"The gala starts in an hour," she said, feeling self-conscious under his gaze. "Why don't you rest here for a bit?"
He wanted her to stay, but he knew her work always came first. "Go ahead. I'll be there shortly."
As she turned to leave, she caught his eye one last time. "Rest well. I'll call you before we start."
Other couples might have shared a kiss or a hug after such a long time apart, but they were still learning to inhabit the space between them—two powerful individuals lingering at the gates of a shared vulnerability.
Translator's Notes:
- "Wife-Coaxing Bible" (追妻宝典): A popular slang for a set of rules or tips on how to win back or appease a significant other.
- "Dead Horse as a Live One" (死马当活马医): A Chinese idiom meaning to make a last-ditch effort even when a situation seems hopeless. Equivalent to "nothing to lose" attitude.
- "No Intention to Plant the Willow" (无心插柳): Part of a proverb (无心插柳柳成荫) meaning an accidental success or a byproduct that becomes more significant than the original goal.
- "One Body, Two Wings" (一体两翼): In Chinese corporate strategy, this is a formal way of saying a company has a strong core business (the body) supported by two powerful, complementary sectors (the wings). For Tang Zhisong, the "body" is his original software and AI foundation, while the "two wings" represent his massive success in both smart home integration and high-end chip manufacturing. This structure is what makes his company stable and "flight-ready" to dominate the global market.
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