How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Zheng Ling looked at the boiled fertilized egg with a face full of rejection. Shu Xuan picked up two bites of luosifen with chopsticks into a small bowl, then pushed a big bowl in front of Zheng Ling.
“Teacher Shu, is this really edible?” Zheng Ling pointed at it with her chopsticks, not even wanting to touch it.
“Of course! It’s delicious. Try it!” Shu Xuan’s expression was like she was just eating an ordinary egg.
Zheng Ling shook her head like a rattle drum. “Please, you enjoy it yourself.”
“When I was in college, I had a roommate from the South. At first, she brought these into the dorm, and no one dared to eat them,” Shu Xuan took a small bite of the fertilized egg. “Then she said she’d give 500 yuan to whoever took a bite. I didn’t even think about it, just ate it in one go.”
“Later I got used to it. It’s actually quite good,” Shu Xuan smiled.
Zheng Ling recalled how Shu Xuan once mentioned she had been in deep debt and struggling with loans. She wondered how hard those days must’ve been.
“I want to try it too,” Zheng Ling looked at the fertilized egg on the table.
“Here,” Shu Xuan handed her a half-peeled egg — the semi-formed chick’s tiny claws and feathers clearly visible.
Zheng Ling shrank back. “Teacher Shu, can I ask for a little motivation?”
“Hm?” Shu Xuan looked puzzled.
“I’m scared to eat it. Can I get a kiss from Teacher Shu for encouragement?” Zheng Ling blinked, already certain that Shu Xuan wouldn’t actually kiss her.
Shu Xuan set down the egg and continued eating her luosifen. She only had two bites herself, leaving the rest for Zheng Ling.
After a few more bites, Shu Xuan calmly said, “Keep dreaming.”
Zheng Ling tried not to laugh. She really didn’t dare to eat that thing.
“…”
The next morning, Da Tou showed up at the house with a digital scale and banged on the door.
“Morning, Teacher Da Tou,” Zheng Ling opened the door in her piggy cartoon pajamas — the snout landed right at her belly button.
Da Tou was momentarily stunned, then greeted her with a smile, “Morning, Boss Zheng.”
“Teacher Shu’s not up yet, I’ll go call her.” Zheng Ling headed upstairs. Shu Xuan had already washed up and was coming out of the bathroom.
“Teacher Shu, Director Li wants you to audition at noon today.” Da Tou set the scale down. “Come on, hop on the scale.”
Shu Xuan came downstairs and stood barefoot on the scale. “Didn’t gain weight.”
“Not enough. You still need to slim down a bit more. The role is a disgraced demon queen.” Da Tou circled her. Shu Xuan already had a top-tier figure even among actresses, but the role required a leaner look.
Zheng Ling came back downstairs in home clothes. She had been idle these past few days, waiting for the company office to finish renovations before opening.
“She still needs to lose more?” Zheng Ling was incredulous.
“Of course. Every inch of Teacher Shu’s body must please the audience,” Da Tou explained. “An actor’s basic duty is to not hurt viewers’ eyes. You can’t play a banished demon queen and still look well-fed and plump in the cold palace.”
Zheng Ling wrapped her arms around Shu Xuan’s waist and realized she could hug her with one arm.
“If she gets any thinner, it’ll be bad for her health,” she said with concern.
Shu Xuan, however, was used to it. “It’s fine. I’ll undergo body recovery after the shoot.”
“Alright then.” Zheng Ling understood. “Our Teacher Shu is very dedicated.”
“Dedicated?” Shu Xuan stepped off the scale. “That’s just a basic professional standard, not really called dedication.”
“Besides, with the pay I get, I must be worthy of the audience and the producers.”
Xiao Ying came in with the outfit for the audition and brought along the styling team. Their studio was also being renovated, so they couldn’t move in yet.
“Teacher Shu, Boss Zheng,” Xiao Ying adjusted her glasses that nearly fell off.
Zheng Ling watched as the team bustled around Shu Xuan in the living room — makeup, hair, styling. She curled up on the couch with a bag of chips, just spectating.
After a while, she got bored and pulled out her phone.
She happened to see A-Liao’s new post on her feed — she was in a Bohemian-style dress posing in the halls of the British Museum. Zheng Ling had never seen her in that style before, and it actually looked pretty nice.
Zheng Ling liked the post and commented:
Bring back some local specialties, thanks.
A-Liao didn’t reply.
“Boss Zheng, what do you think? Isn’t our Teacher Shu stunning?” Da Tou looked smug, like she was admiring a priceless gem.
“Yeah, stunning. But our Teacher Shu — not yours,” Zheng Ling corrected her.
Da Tou silently cursed the couple. What’s wrong with a little compliment?
Once everything was ready and Shu Xuan rehearsed the script again, she prepared to leave.
Zheng Ling stayed at home alone. The once-bustling house suddenly turned quiet.
Xiao Ying hurried back in. “Boss Zheng, our car broke down again. Could you possibly drive Teacher Shu over?”
“Sure.” Zheng Ling didn’t even change clothes. She glanced at the time and figured there would be traffic, so she grabbed her motorbike keys.
When she came out revving the engine, it was loud and impressive. “Hop on.”
Xiao Ying grabbed Da Tou and whispered with a squeal, “Boss Zheng is so cool!”
Shu Xuan cast a brief glance at her, then walked over to Zheng Ling and put on her helmet. This motorbike was one of Zheng Ling’s prized possessions — she spent a year or two building it, and its price was close to that of a Porsche 911.
Zheng Ling handed her a gray helmet — different from the Ultraman one Shu Xuan used to wear.
“Teacher Shu, won’t this mess up your styling?” Da Tou asked worriedly.
Zheng Ling explained, “It’s noon traffic now. The bike’s way faster.”
“No problem,” Shu Xuan said and put on the helmet.
Zheng Ling zoomed off like the wind.
This bike was much faster than her previous one. Shu Xuan, a little scared, clutched at the back of Zheng Ling’s clothes.
“If you’re scared, just hold on to me,” Zheng Ling shouted ahead.
“I’m not scared!” Shu Xuan yelled faintly from behind.
Yet Zheng Ling could clearly feel the grip around her waist tighten, Shu Xuan leaning in closer and closer. She chuckled silently — Not scared, huh?
They hit traffic on the bridge, but Zheng Ling zipped through the motorcycle lane and soon arrived at the audition venue.
Shu Xuan took off the helmet, put on her mask and glasses, then used her phone as a mirror to fix her hair.
Zheng Ling leaned on the bike. “Teacher Shu, you guys should really get a new car. That one keeps breaking down.”
“Boss Zheng, are you saying I’m a burden?” Shu Xuan’s tone was flat.
“How could I!” Zheng Ling replied quickly. “It’s just a safety issue, and I don’t want you to be late. I’ll wait here till you finish.”
She could still feel the warmth of Shu Xuan’s hands around her waist.
Wait… What am I thinking?! In her head, two little versions of herself were fighting it out.
“Thanks, Boss Zheng. I’ll think about it.” Shu Xuan turned to go, then paused. “Come with me. It’s hot outside.”
Zheng Ling hesitated. “I won’t be in the way?”
“No.”
It was Zheng Ling’s first time visiting a film set. Though her uncle owned an entertainment company, they had no real business interactions — just family get-togethers during holidays.
She followed Shu Xuan into the Nancheng Grand Theatre. The producers hadn’t announced the audition publicly, and the production — a big-budget historical drama — was an S+ level project. Casting was strict, and confidentiality was tight.
Shu Xuan’s role this time wasn’t the protagonist. She was trying out a villainous role — something she’d always wanted. Technically, she’d be third-billed.
Inside the theatre, staff were busy preparing.
Shu Xuan had shot to fame with her debut and soared ever since, always cast as the female lead. When the directing team learned she was auditioning for a supporting villain, they were stunned and double-checked with Da Tou.
“Teacher Shu, this way please,” a staff member guided her into the makeup room, already crowded with actresses. For auditions, there weren’t many formalities — everyone used the same space.
The other actresses all stood to greet her when they saw Shu Xuan. Zheng Ling, unfamiliar with such scenes, kept completely silent and still, afraid of causing trouble.
Shu Xuan sat down and reapplied some lipstick. Zheng Ling sat beside her.
“Teacher Shu, don’t you want to review the script again?” Zheng Ling asked.
“No need.” Shu Xuan had a tiny bit of lipstick at the corner of her mouth. She gently wiped it away with a tissue.
A nearby actress walked over. It was Ye Yu — a rising star auditioning for the lead role.
“Teacher Shu is basically a walking script machine. She can memorize the entire thing in one go,” Ye Yu smiled.
Shu Xuan returned a faint smile. “You’re too kind, Teacher Ye.”
“And this is…?” Ye Yu, shorter and petite, with a sunny, girl-next-door look, gestured toward Zheng Ling.
“This is my partner,” Shu Xuan replied calmly.
Zheng Ling felt a bit awkward and rubbed her nose. “Hello.”
Other actresses in the room immediately perked up, eavesdropping with full attention.
There had been rumors of tension between Ye Yu and Shu Xuan, but this scene didn’t look tense at all?
“Haha, so this is your contractor girlfriend?” Ye Yu covered her mouth, giggling. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it.”
Shu Xuan’s expression didn’t change. She kept her smile. “Teacher Ye, did you take on a new comedic project? That smile looks… peculiar.”
It was the first time Zheng Ling saw Shu Xuan dish it out. Her image of Shu Xuan had always been calm and composed — even now, her facial control was perfect.
“Come on, don’t be so petty,” Ye Yu grumbled. “Just kidding around. So protective, huh?”
“Leaving Galaxy Entertainment, and now only able to try for minor roles. A few more years and even that might be gone,” Ye Yu added, pretending to whisper.
Zheng Ling abruptly stood up, glaring fiercely. Ye Yu was visibly startled.
Shu Xuan gently patted Zheng Ling’s arm. “Teacher Ye should worry about herself. So many years and no awards — is that by choice?”
“Oh right, I forgot — you’re the type who ‘stays humble and returns still a newbie,’” Shu Xuan’s tone was soft and sweet, as if lulling someone to sleep — yet every word stabbed like a blade.
Ye Yu forced her expression to stay composed. “Teacher Shu, just you wait. I’ll surpass you.”
Then, suddenly, Ye Yu leaned in and kissed Shu Xuan on the cheek — smooch.
Both Shu Xuan and Zheng Ling froze.
Ye Yu bolted out of the makeup room in a flash.