How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Zheng Ling nodded. “When you go out for work, do they just stay home alone?”
Shu Xuan looked at the little girl. Her skin was rough—understandable, considering the high altitude and long daylight exposure in the area.
“Yeah, there’s no other way. School can be skipped, but meals can’t be missed,” the man sighed. “Of course, I want them to go to school.”
Zheng Ling could already imagine what kind of life those two children would have growing up. Jiangcheng wasn’t a first-tier city, but situations like this were rare there. Even kids who dropped out usually did so after finishing the nine years of compulsory education.
The little girl turned on the television and switched it to the opera channel, dancing along to the music.
It was Huangmei opera playing on the TV. The girl’s movements were agile, and the graceful melody felt like a silk ribbon wrapping her in an elegant dance.
“Has your little sister learned to dance before?” Zheng Ling asked in surprise.
The man shook his head. “Nope. She just dances on her own.”
“She’s got good potential,” Zheng Ling turned to Shu Xuan. “Don’t you think, Teacher Shu?”
Shu Xuan was also amazed by the girl’s dancing. At Xinghe Entertainment, she’d seen many trainee kids whose skills came only after countless hours of practice. This little girl, however, danced purely by feel—and she was already this good.
With proper training and planning, the girl’s future could be promising.
The little boy clapped enthusiastically after his sister finished. His hands were even more delicate than hers.
“Sis, your hat looks so nice. Can I try it on?” the girl asked Zheng Ling, her eyes sparkling.
Without hesitation, Zheng Ling said, “Of course you can.”
The little girl ran over, and Zheng Ling helped her put on the hat.
She beamed with joy and twirled in circles, but her head was too small, and the hat quickly fell off.
She immediately picked it up and wiped it carefully with her clothes.
“It’s fine. If you like it, big sister will give it to you,” Zheng Ling said, patting her head.
“Thank you, big sister!” the girl grinned brightly.
The man waved his hands nervously. “No, no, we can’t accept that.”
“It’s okay. You let us shelter from the rain after all.” Zheng Ling waved it off. The hat wasn’t anything expensive.
The little boy sat nearby, looking somewhat unhappy.
The rain stopped, and the man drove them out of the pasture on a tractor. The tractor still had some soaked cow dung in the back, so Zheng Ling pulled a piece of cloth from her clothes to wipe off the seat for Shu Xuan.
“Sorry, I use this to haul grass and manure normally,” the man explained.
“No worries.” Zheng Ling patted Shu Xuan’s back comfortingly.
Once back in the residential area, they said their goodbyes and returned to the hotel to change clothes. Zheng Ling smelled of cow dung and fresh grass.
Their clothes were still damp. After requesting some ginger tea from the front desk, they finally headed out for dinner.
“How about we buy those kids some books?” Zheng Ling suggested.
Shu Xuan was eating a beef pastry. The best thing about this place was that the elderly population meant few people recognized her—no need to stay incognito.
“Sure,” Shu Xuan took a small bite, “let’s also get them two phone watches.”
“Good idea. The dad works outside all day, so it’s safer for the kids to have a way to contact him,” Zheng Ling said, sipping mutton soup.
Shu Xuan put her half-eaten pastry down and looked at Zheng Ling.
“Not eating anymore?” Zheng Ling asked, still chewing her flatbread soaked in lamb soup.
“I’m full,” Shu Xuan said softly.
Zheng Ling stared in disbelief. “Seriously, what are celebrity stomachs made of?”
Without waiting for a reply, she reached for Shu Xuan’s bowl.
“I already ate from that,” Shu Xuan reminded gently.
“So what? You’re my wife, I don’t mind.” Zheng Ling grabbed the leftover pastry and devoured it in two bites. “If you don’t eat enough now, and we can’t order food later, your only dinner option is me.”
“You!” Shu Xuan was left laughing and exasperated.
Zheng Ling quickly finished the rest of the food, and the two of them went to a local bookstore to buy children’s books and picture books, along with two smartwatches for kids.
They both knew this wouldn’t change the kids’ lives drastically, but it was the little they could do. This world had far too many things they were powerless to change.
Back at the hotel, Zheng Ling wanted to get a second room, but Shu Xuan rejected the idea, saying waste was shameful.
“…”
The next morning, their phone rang early. It was a call from Da Tou.
Zheng Ling and Shu Xuan were woken up by the ringtone.
“What is it?” Zheng Ling answered using Shu Xuan’s phone.
There was a pause on the other end. “You two slept together?”
“Duh. We’re married. You want her to sleep with you instead?” Zheng Ling glanced at the pillow and separate blankets between them as she spoke.
“You two can travel, sure, but what’s with all this news?” Da Tou started yelling. “The internet says Shu Xuan married a construction worker and now they’re so poor they’re splitting one beef pastry! And the one with scallions—the cheapest kind!”
Zheng Ling got up carefully and stepped into the bathroom to continue the call. Shu Xuan stirred in bed—unclear if she was fully awake.
Zheng Ling opened her own phone and checked Weibo. Sure enough, “#ShuXuanEatingHalfBeefPastry” was trending.
She clicked on it.
The photo was from the day before—Shu Xuan sitting elegantly across from her, while Zheng Ling, bundled in long sleeves because of the chilly night, was caught mid-bite on a meat flatbread. She looked like a refugee.
The comments were full of gossip.
Netizen 1: “LOL. Even after marriage, celebrities can’t escape normal life.”
Netizen 2: “Look at your icy queen Shu Xuan now—probably sobbing in some laborer’s arms.”
Her antis were the happiest—finally something to mock her with.
Some tried defending them, saying the contractor’s family seemed well-off, referencing the extravagant wedding favors.
But few believed it. Most assumed Shu Xuan paid for everything—how much could a contractor possibly earn?
Da Tou calmed down and said, “Boss Zheng, Shu Xuan is a really good person. We all hope you treat her well. She’s suffered a lot over the years.”
“I’ll try to handle this news, but please be mindful when going out. After all, she’s still a public figure.”
Zheng Ling nodded. “Got it. Thanks.”
After the call ended, Shu Xuan walked into the bathroom. “What happened?”
“Nothing—someone took photos of us eating yesterday.” Zheng Ling looked at Shu Xuan’s delicate features. She almost forgot that Shu Xuan was a celebrity. Over the past few days, she just felt like a regular friend.
But there was a gulf between them that couldn’t be ignored. In terms of social status, even if they didn’t mention it, others would.
Zheng Ling never used to care about things like this—she did whatever she pleased. But now, it was different. She had Shu Xuan. They were married.
Shu Xuan took the phone from her. “What did Da Tou say?”
“She said we should pay more attention to our image when we go out.” Zheng Ling scratched her head, visibly irritated.
“Okay.”
They headed back to the horse riding shop. Today, both the little boy and girl were there.
They greeted Shu Xuan and Zheng Ling with joy, but the hat that had been gifted to the little girl was now on the boy’s head.
Zheng Ling was confused but said nothing. “Look what we brought you.”
Shu Xuan took out the picture books and two kids’ smartwatches.
“Say thank you to the big sisters!” the man called out.
“Thank you, big sisters!” the kids hugged the books and immediately started reading.
Zheng Ling said, “Here’s how the watch works—when you go to work, you can call the kids. Here’s the manual.”
The man fumbled with it, unable to figure it out. Shu Xuan and Zheng Ling patiently taught both him and the kids.
“Thank you both.”
“You let us take shelter from the rain yesterday—we should be the ones thanking you,” said Zheng Ling. It was true. Braving the storm to leave the pasture would’ve been dangerous.
“That hat—didn’t the girl really like it?” Shu Xuan asked.
The man looked a little awkward. “The boy liked it, so he took it.”
Even though the hat was clearly made for girls, and not something boys would normally want.
On the way there, Shu Xuan and Zheng Ling had discussed sending dance gear and dresses regularly for the girl, but now they saw it probably wasn’t necessary.
After leaving, Zheng Ling didn’t ask Shu Xuan why she didn’t mention it. She could already feel the family had a bias toward boys.
Even if they sent clothes or equipment for the girl, it would likely end up with the boy.
They’d read online how many donation projects specifically aimed at helping girls ended up being diverted to 18-year-old boys.
Zheng Ling had a wild idea in her heart, but she hadn’t told Shu Xuan yet.
They stayed in western Sichuan for another three days before heading to Qianzhou.
Originally, they planned to go to Jiangnan, but it was too far, and since the Jiangnan region was heavily involved in entertainment and media, it would’ve been inconvenient for Shu Xuan to travel there.
Qianzhou was more remote and was on the southeast route from Sichuan.
Returning to Jiangcheng from Qianzhou was also more convenient.
After a week of travel, Zheng Ling drove them back to Jiangcheng.
Zheng Ling’s parents hadn’t yet had a proper meal with Shu Xuan. Their wedding had been rushed, and everyone was busy. Now was the perfect time.
They brought back lots of local specialties, and Zheng Ling immediately began cooking once they got home.
Zheng Mother sat with Shu Xuan in the living room.
“How was it? Tired?” Zheng Mother had dressed up especially today. She ditched her usual garish clothes and gold chains, toning down her flashy style.
Shu Xuan shook her head. “Not tired, Auntie.”
“What ‘Auntie’?!” Zheng Mother feigned anger. “What, was the red envelope I gave for your title change too small?”
“…Mom.” Shu Xuan said softly. It felt awkward. She hadn’t said that word in years.
Zheng Mother couldn’t hold back anymore. Excited, she revealed her usual brash style. She pulled out a box from under the coffee table—it was filled with gold bricks.
At least ten jin (approx. 5 kg) of gold, and she stuffed it all into Shu Xuan’s arms.
“Xuan, this is just a little something from Mom. Whatever I have, you’ll have too. My mom is your mom now—wait, no—I am your mom!”
Zheng Mother genuinely liked and cared for Shu Xuan.
But she wasn’t good with words. She hadn’t been well-educated, so she used money to show her affection.
Dinner was ready, and Zheng Ling came over with her apron off.
There was Shu Xuan, holding two gold bricks, and Zheng Mother—who moments ago had tried to act elegant—now looked like a nouveau riche tyrant.