How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 20

Chapter 20 

When Zheng Ling walked over, she saw Shu Xuan in a robe, being supported by Xiao Ying and Da Tou.

The surrounding staff looked panicked, and Director Li sat in a chair with a distressed expression.

The man who had spoken just now was the male lead of Feng Cheng Long. Ye Yu had also joined the cast but was playing a supporting role.

“Call the police, now! What are you waiting for?” Director Li kicked his assistant, who immediately pulled out their phone to call.

Ye Yu continued speaking, “Teacher Shu, we usually joke around in private, but you’ve really crossed the line this time.”

The male lead, Gu Run, had sharp and well-defined features. Unlike the current trend of delicate-looking actors, his face was more suited for serious dramas.

“This is what my assistant found in Teacher Shu Xuan’s dressing room,” Gu Run said, signaling his assistant. The assistant, wearing gloves, took out a plant. It had white pinwheel-shaped flowers and several liver-colored, mango-shaped fruits hanging from it.

“How dare you accuse Teacher Shu like this?” Xiao Ying said angrily. “None of us even know what that thing is!”

Hearing that, Zheng Ling stepped forward.

Ye Yu, who had just been aggressive, instantly cowered when she saw Zheng Ling approaching and hid behind Gu Run.

“Boss Zheng!” Da Tou looked visibly relieved when he saw her arrive.

Zheng Ling greeted the others and glanced at the plant in the assistant’s hand before turning to Xiao Ying and asking, “What’s going on?”

“They… they’re saying Teacher Shu poisoned the other actors,” Xiao Ying said, nearly crying.

Seeing an outsider present, Director Li tried to smooth things over. “The matter hasn’t been fully investigated yet—no wild accusations, please.”

“Poison? Shu Xuan?” Zheng Ling scoffed. “Who would be stupid enough to poison people here?”

Xiao Ying quickly nodded, bolstered by Zheng Ling’s presence.

Zheng Ling walked over to Shu Xuan and noticed she seemed to be favoring her foot. Earlier, Da Tou and Xiao Ying had been holding her up.

Shu Xuan reached out and lightly patted Zheng Ling’s arm in reassurance.

“You okay?” Zheng Ling wrapped an arm around Shu Xuan’s waist to support her.

“I’m fine,” Shu Xuan replied softly.

The set was a temporary one, built far from the city. It would take a while for the police to arrive.

There were no security cameras either—investigation would have to rely on traditional methods.

Zheng Ling helped Shu Xuan sit down and asked Director Li, “Director Li, how did Teacher Shu get hurt?”

Director Li had heard of Zheng Ling but had never met her.

After Ye Yu’s face had been famously smeared with lipstick, everyone in the crew had learned about Shu Xuan’s “family” seeking justice on her behalf. The younger actors had since held Zheng Ling in high regard.

To this day, no one dared mess with Shu Xuan.

“Quick, get some medicinal balm for her!” Director Li called out to his assistant.

Zheng Ling walked over to Gu Run and fixed her gaze on the plant in the assistant’s hand. “You said this was found in Shu Xuan’s dressing room?”

“Yes,” the assistant said, stepping back nervously.

“Do you know what it is?” Zheng Ling asked again.

“It’s poisonous—extremely poisonous,” the assistant said but didn’t name it.

Ye Yu peeked out from behind Gu Run, saying, “The evidence is right here, and you’re still denying it? If I hadn’t noticed something strange in my water, I might have drunk it!”

Zheng Ling raised her hand as if to slap her, and Ye Yu immediately flinched and shrank back.

“Hah, how ridiculous. How could something like this appear in South City? Ask around—how many people here even recognize this plant?” Zheng Ling took out a tissue, wrapped the plant, and held it up for everyone to see.

Almost everyone shook their heads. Even Shu Xuan didn’t recognize it.

“This is the suicide tree, Cerbera odollam,” Zheng Ling explained.

The fruit looks like a mango, with a color similar to a ripe red plum. For an adult man, eating just half could be fatal. Its dried powder form is even more toxic.

“The whole plant is poisonous,” Zheng Ling set the specimen aside. “And you all think it’s fine to jump to conclusions before the police investigate?”

“This plant only grows in southern coastal regions—people who aren’t from there usually have no idea what it is,” she added, directing her comment at Gu Run.

Gu Run didn’t back down. “Then how do you know?”

“I…” Zheng Ling was just about to respond when someone in the crowd suddenly began vomiting violently.

It was Chen Ju.

She had a minor role as a maid in the drama.

She squatted down, coughing hard and vomiting bile.

“Call an ambulance!”

“What’s going on?!”

The crowd burst into chaos.

Zheng Ling frowned. She suspected Chen Ju had accidentally ingested the poison.

Once the police arrived, Director Li gave them a basic account of what happened.

They questioned the crew and examined the set. Many people’s cups contained remnants of the suicide tree.

Chen Ju was taken to the hospital, and luckily, no one else had been poisoned.

The suicide tree found in Shu Xuan’s dressing room was taken as evidence. Since there were no surveillance cameras, only traditional methods could be used for the investigation.

The police analyzed footprints at the scene. Based on size, the suspect was a woman.

Zheng Ling and Shu Xuan waited to be taken to the station to give their statements.

While waiting, Zheng Ling used the balm to massage Shu Xuan’s ankle. She’d twisted it on her costume during filming but didn’t go to the hospital so she wouldn’t delay the schedule. Now it was swollen like a pig’s hoof.

“Ah…” Shu Xuan winced, gripping Zheng Ling’s arm.

“Relax, I twist mine all the time on construction sites. I’ve got great technique,” Zheng Ling said calmly.

Across from them, Ye Yu whispered something to Gu Run while glancing their way. When she met Zheng Ling’s eyes, she immediately looked away.

Once the initial investigation ended, the police began escorting cast members to the station for formal questioning.

Zheng Ling handed some things to Xiao Ying.

“I can’t bend my leg,” Shu Xuan said, clearly hoping to be carried in a bridal-style lift.

Zheng Ling replied, “As long as something can bend.”

Without hesitation, she slung Shu Xuan over her shoulder like a sack and started walking out.

Ye Yu was stunned, and Gu Run was equally shocked.

“This forewoman—so what if she’s strong?” Ye Yu muttered bitterly.

Gu Run watched Zheng Ling with astonishment. As a man, even he would struggle to lift someone like that with one arm. This woman was truly something else.

On their way to the car, everyone stared.

“Holy crap, is that Shu Xuan’s family? I want someone to carry me too!” a female staffer whispered excitedly.

A male staffer added, “Look at those arm muscles. I didn’t believe it when people said Shu Xuan’s spouse was a construction worker—but now I do.”

On Zheng Ling’s shoulder, Shu Xuan understood what she meant by “something else needs to bend”—it was telling her to bend her waist.

For the first time, Shu Xuan felt utterly humiliated. She covered her face with her robe sleeve—she had no dignity left.

Forget the romantic, electric drama-like feeling. For Shu Xuan, this was a total social death moment.

At the station, the internet had already exploded.

Weibo hot searches featured:
#ShuXuanArrested
followed by
#FengChengLongCrewQuestioned
Pictures showed them entering the station, still in costume—Shu Xuan included.

Speculation ran rampant.

Netizen 1: “Don’t tell me this is a group drug orgy?”
Netizen 2: “Just say drug use. Why censor it?”
Netizen 3: “This seems too big to be a coincidence. No way so many people get taken in like that.”
Others were furious at the clickbait:
“Why is Shu Xuan trending when this involves the entire production?”

Some even posted footage of Shu Xuan entering the station—supporting Zheng Ling, who looked like her spouse.

Fans jumped in:
Fan 1: “Don’t spread rumors. Wait for the investigation results.”
Fan 2: “I believe in Shu Xuan ❤️”
Fan 3: “Please don’t dig into her partner’s private life. She’s a civilian.”

Still, gossip flew. Some even claimed Shu Xuan was pregnant, hence the support.

At the station, Shu Xuan denied knowing anything about the suicide tree, saying she’d never seen it before. She was busy filming all day, even with her injured leg.

Ye Yu accused them again. “That construction worker of hers bullied me. I bet the two of them did it together. Even if Shu Xuan doesn’t know what that plant is, her partner does! She had motive! Officer, arrest her!”

Director Li and Gu Run didn’t have much to say and were released after fingerprinting.

The only person poisoned, Chen Ju, was still in the hospital.

The on-site investigation revealed that the poisoner wore gloves and was very familiar with the set.

When officers came to question Zheng Ling, she was nearly dozing off.

“Zheng Ling, we meet again,” the officer joked. He had arrested her once for fighting.

“Fancy that,” Zheng Ling chuckled.

“How do you know what that plant is?”

“I went to college down south. A classmate once got poisoned by it,” she replied truthfully.

“Ye Yu said you bullied her.”

“Makeup is bullying now?” Zheng Ling said with a smirk.

“Don’t push it, or we’ll have a repeat of last time.”

“Got it!”

After a few more questions, they were released.

Shu Xuan was waiting in the car, half asleep from exhaustion.

“Teacher Shu, tired?” Zheng Ling asked as she slid into the driver’s seat. Da Tou and Xiao Ying sat in the back.

“Mhm,” Shu Xuan answered from the front passenger seat.

She had originally planned to spend a romantic Qixi Festival with Zheng Ling—though they weren’t in love, the holiday deserved some ceremony.

But after everything, her mood was shot.

“We’re not going home. I booked a hotel,” Shu Xuan said, eyes closed.

“What?” Zheng Ling blinked.

“Teacher Shu planned to take you out to dinner tonight…” Xiao Ying started, then shut her mouth.

Zheng Ling stifled a laugh. “Is this really appropriate? Two women in a hotel on Qixi? I’ll be embarrassed!”

Shu Xuan: …

Da Tou: My silence is deafening.

Xiao Ying: I should be under the car, not in it.

Shu Xuan calmly replied, “Go or don’t.”

“Going! Anything for my wife!” Zheng Ling said as they arrived. Director Li called with news—Chen Ju had woken up and was getting an IV.

They went into the hotel. Da Tou and Xiao Ying followed.

“You two celebrating Qixi too?” Zheng Ling teased.

“Teacher Shu invited us,” Xiao Ying grinned.

Shu Xuan had booked two suites. Was this premeditated?

In the room, Shu Xuan changed into slippers. “Sorry we didn’t get to eat together.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Zheng Ling said, though she had felt a little disappointed.

They ate dinner overlooking the sparkling river, boats passing by, surrounded by couples holding hands.

“Does your foot still hurt?” Zheng Ling asked, sipping wine.

Shu Xuan smiled softly. “Not anymore.”

“Do you suspect anyone?”

“Honestly, everyone seems suspicious until the truth comes out.”

“This is terrifying. Someone in our own production…”

Shu Xuan said calmly, “That’s the entertainment industry. I once saw a host lose her voice from poisoned water left unattended for a minute. They had to replace her on live TV.”

“There’s really such stuff?” Zheng Ling was shocked.

“That’s child’s play,” Shu Xuan said indifferently.

After dinner, the police called again—Shu Xuan had to return the next day.

The production had been suspended for three days, and the Feng Cheng Long incident was all over the internet.

Police published statements, and netizens speculated wildly.

Some said Shu Xuan’s mother was a murderer, though it had already been proven self-defense.

That night, Zheng Ling got up to use the restroom and saw Shu Xuan’s room light still on.

She knocked. “Still up?”

“Reading the news.”

Zheng Ling glanced at the screen—Weibo comments full of slander.

Star River Entertainment was clearly interfering—no PR firm would take the case. Big Head was handling it herself.

Shu Xuan wasn’t fazed. To her, online hate was just mosquito buzz.

“These people are disgusting!” Zheng Ling said, scrolling through lies—some claimed Shu Xuan was pregnant, others said she faked her mom’s death.

“I’m going to roast them all!” she said, picking up her phone.

Shu Xuan stopped her.

Her hand was cold, fingers brushing the calluses on Zheng Ling’s.

“Come hug me, Boss Zheng, our poor Shu Teacher…” Zheng Ling reached out dramatically.

Shu Xuan threw a pillow at her.

Next morning, Da Tou and Xiao Ying picked up Shu Xuan for the station. Zheng Ling went back to the set to fetch her bag.

Only a guard was there, as the area was prone to petty theft.

After explaining, she was let in.

As she neared Shu Xuan’s dressing room, she heard movement inside.

She approached silently—and saw someone rummaging through the room with gloves on.

It was Ye Yu’s assistant.

Zheng Ling quickly recorded her, switching her phone to silent and turning off the flash.

The assistant scraped powder from a compact and sealed it in a bag.

Ten minutes later, she left.

Zheng Ling double-checked the room. The powder smelled faintly of jasmine—just like the suicide tree.

She packaged it and brought it to the police, who had just ruled Shu Xuan out.

Her limp didn’t match the suspect’s strong, symmetrical gait.

Ye Yu’s foot size also didn’t match.

Chen Ju said she was just thirsty and drank the water without noticing.

Bits of the plant were found in multiple places—clearly disguised as trash.

Gu Run’s assistant had only recognized the plant due to her botany background.

Back at the station, Ye Yu was yelling at her assistant for buying the wrong coffee.

Just as she was about to drink it, Zheng Ling rushed out and kicked it out of her hands.

Coffee splashed all over Ye Yu. “You crazy builder! What’s your problem?! This is the police station!”

Police tackled the assistant immediately.

“What’s going on? Officer, she kicked my drink!”

“Idiot—go wash up,” Zheng Ling growled.

Shu Xuan, Da Tou, and Xiao Ying arrived just in time to see it all.

The assistant was taken in for questioning.

Soon, Ye Yu broke out in a rash—an allergic reaction.

Zheng Ling handed Shu Xuan her bag.

“What is it?”

“I think Ye Yu’s assistant is the culprit.”

She explained what she saw and how she suspected the assistant had laced the coffee with poison.

Police confirmed the coffee contained high levels of the toxin, and the assistant’s footprints matched.

Under pressure, the assistant confessed: she was trying to poison Ye Yu and frame Shu Xuan.

She had endured long-term abuse and finally snapped. The plan failed when Zheng Ling caught her in the act.

Authorities confirmed Shu Xuan and Chen Ju were innocent victims.

Later, the police published the results.

Still, many netizens refused to believe it.

Netizen 1: “LOL, Shu Xuan probably bribed the cops to take the fall.”

Netizen 2: “This is capitalism at work. Evil wins again.”

Fans fought back in the comments, defending Shu Xuan as best they could.

The online war had only just begun.