How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Zheng Ling was meeting with Secretary Chen. In their conversation, Secretary Chen subtly warned her not to get involved in certain matters—implying that neither she nor Shu Xuan was in a position to handle them.
During their talk, Secretary Chen avoided saying anything too provocative.
“Boss Zheng, I trust you’re someone who understands the bigger picture. I don’t need to say much more—you know what needs to be done,” Secretary Chen said in a friendly tone.
Zheng Ling smiled politely. “Yes, thank you, Secretary Chen.”
“At this stage, what we should focus on is completing the construction project. Everything else can wait,” Secretary Chen said, pulling out a document.
She continued, “This is the project that Nancheng Group is planning to launch. Once the tourism development is complete, these sections will gradually be implemented. You can start preparing for them now.”
Zheng Ling didn’t expect Secretary Chen to still offer her such an opportunity at this point. But she understood—she was still of great value to him.
“Alright, I’ll make sure to do a good job with the tourism development and not let you down,” Zheng Ling said. “I remember really liking the tea you served before, Secretary Chen. I found two cakes of something similar recently—may I bring them over for you to try one day?”
Secretary Chen smiled. “Sure.”
That evening, Shu Xuan had dinner ready when Zheng Ling returned home. Lately, Shu Xuan had been staying at home more and had let the housekeeper take time off. She was quite good at cooking—back when she lived in Beicheng, she used to shop and cook for herself to save money.
“Boss Zheng, wash your hands—dinner’s ready,” Shu Xuan said. She was already in her pajamas—a silver silk camisole that accentuated her figure and swayed slightly with her movements.
Zheng Ling obediently went to wash her hands. The two of them sat at the table, each deep in thought, neither bringing up what had happened that day.
“Teacher Shu, there’s dust on the back of your pajamas,” Zheng Ling said, walking over and using a tissue to gently wipe her lower back.
Shu Xuan stiffened the moment she felt the touch and instinctively pulled away, a bit unnerved.
After wiping, Zheng Ling went to wash her hands again.
Only then did they finally sit down to eat.
“Teacher Shu, your cooking is amazing.” Zheng Ling picked up a bite of stir-fried broccoli and carrots.
Shu Xuan used the communal chopsticks to serve her some prawns in tomato sauce. “Eat more. Were you busy today?”
“Not really. How about you? What did you do while staying at home?” Zheng Ling asked, eyes lowered as she ate.
“Watered the plants, cooked, took a bath,” Shu Xuan replied, then added another prawn to Zheng Ling’s plate. “What did Secretary Chen say?”
Zheng Ling’s chopsticks trembled slightly, but she smiled. “It was about the construction site. He also gave me a proposal for future projects.”
“Seems like he still values you quite a bit,” Shu Xuan said softly.
Zheng Ling wasn’t lying—but she did conveniently shift the focus.
“Maybe so,” she replied.
“The film crew wants me to report in tomorrow. Looks like Boss Zheng won’t be supporting me anymore,” Shu Xuan teased, taking a small bite of broccoli.
Zheng Ling wasn’t surprised. “That’s great. Can I ask you to support me then? I can be your kept man.”
“If you’re willing,” Shu Xuan looked up, the meaning behind her words unclear.
“I am.” Zheng Ling raised her eyebrows with a playful smile.
Shu Xuan coughed lightly. “Boss Zheng, don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”
Zheng Ling shook her head. “Do you?”
“I don’t either,” Shu Xuan said, standing up and placing her chopsticks down. “Don’t forget to wash the dishes.”
Zheng Ling sat alone at the dining table, watching Shu Xuan walk back to the bedroom. The smile on her face slowly faded.
After Shu Xuan went to bed, Zheng Ling headed to the control room in the house. There were surveillance cameras installed around the villa, and she had a nagging feeling something was off with Shu Xuan today.
To avoid alerting Shu Xuan, Zheng Ling didn’t turn on any lights. She tiptoed into the control room and turned the flashlight to its lowest setting.
She reviewed the footage from the past few days—but found nothing unusual.
Maybe she was overthinking it. She turned off the computer and was about to leave, when she noticed a few finger marks in the dust on the desk and some unfamiliar smudges on the back of the chair.
That instantly reminded her of the dust on Shu Xuan’s pajamas earlier.
Had Shu Xuan deleted the surveillance footage?
Zheng Ling stared at those slender fingerprints and pursed her lips with a bitter smile.
What exactly was Shu Xuan hiding from her?
The next morning, Shu Xuan left for filming just like usual.
Zheng Ling stood by her window, watching her leave. Xiao Ying and Da Tou came to pick her up.
Just as Shu Xuan reached the gate, she suddenly stopped and turned to look up at Zheng Ling’s bedroom window. Zheng Ling quickly hid behind the curtain.
It felt like they were acting in a spy movie.
At the filming location, crowds of fans had gathered outside. They held up light boards and banners—many tabloid reporters had been tipped off that Shu Xuan was returning to work after a suspension.
The nanny van parked far from the entrance. Shu Xuan got out wearing sunglasses.
The moment fans saw her, they rushed forward.
“Wife! You’re the best wife in the whole world!”
“Ahhhh! Shu Xuan, fighting! Fighting!”
“Shu Xuan, we’re always behind you—we’ll never leave!”
“Honey, I love you! Be brave, Shu Xuan! If anything happens, we’ll take the fall!”
Shu Xuan was surprised. Under normal circumstances, such events wouldn’t have been leaked. Da Tou was just as confused—she hadn’t arranged any fan presence today.
Still, Shu Xuan took off her sunglasses and smiled gently. Her eyes were full of warmth. “Thank you, everyone. Please stay safe on your way home.”
“AHHHHHH!!”
“Shu Xuan baby! Take care of yourself!”
Fans screamed excitedly as Shu Xuan, flanked by Xiao Ying and Da Tou, made her way through the crowd. Some fans handed her notebooks for autographs.
“Wife, I came all the way from Beicheng! Can I get your autograph?” a fan tearfully asked.
Shu Xuan took the notebook graciously. Da Tou handed her a pen.
“Thank you for your support. But next time, don’t come from so far away,” she said kindly.
“Wuwuwu… I’ve followed you since high school, after watching that interview of yours—how you went from the bottom of the class to a 985 university…” The girl’s makeup was smudged with tears.
Shu Xuan took a peach-scented tissue from her pocket and handed it to her. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Let’s both keep working hard for the future.”
“Wuwu… okay… all da way!” the girl cried incoherently.
After signing autographs and taking pictures, Shu Xuan entered the set.
None of the actors or crew treated her any differently. Everyone had been harmed by the system in some way, but few had dared to stand up like Shu Xuan or those brave girls on stage.
You don’t have to be a warrior—but don’t mock those who are.
Shu Xuan quickly got into character. The drama was a suspense thriller where she played a forensic doctor. While reading the script, she had also studied many documentaries to prepare for the role.
But once on set, she realized how much she still didn’t know. She hadn’t been formally trained, so she had to work harder than others—carefully analyzing every role and every storyline.
Since terminating her contract with Xinghe, Shu Xuan hadn’t taken many roles—but they were all high quality. It was the best opportunity for her to transition into more serious acting.
After she finished shooting, Da Tou came over to report on the current state of her studio.
The recent controversy had been like a thunderstorm—brief and violent—but now the clouds had cleared as if nothing had happened.
“Teacher Shu, most of the brands we signed with have canceled their contracts. No new offers have come in yet,” Da Tou reported seriously.
Shu Xuan rubbed her temples and took a sip of water Xiao Ying handed her.
“It’s alright. The priority is choosing good scripts,” she said.
“Got it. Also, your Weibo account is unblocked. Should we post some lifestyle updates to show you’re back?” Da Tou asked.
Thinking of the fans who had shown up that morning, Shu Xuan nodded. “Sure.”
For celebrities and their fans, the relationship is mutual. Shu Xuan stayed standing because of their support, and in turn, her light gave hope to many trapped in darkness.
Just like how she saw Zheng Ling—not just working to make money, but trying to create a better life for others.
She had to do the same. Society had given her this platform, and she needed to give something back to those who supported her.
Shu Xuan’s comeback post on Weibo quickly trended. Her account had been unblocked, and she posted a photo collage.
It included selfies, pictures of meals she cooked, a village sunset, the starry night, and a pomegranate.
Zheng Ling was reviewing documents in her office when a Weibo alert popped up on her computer.
It was Shu Xuan’s post.
She immediately shared and commented on it.
Zheng Ling’s Weibo was full of posts about Shu Xuan. She didn’t share much about her own life—but she did argue with fans on one post from Shu Xuan’s studio.
A fan refused to believe that Shu Xuan was hers, and Zheng Ling got into a fight with them.
Frustrated, she sent a “hammering person.jpg” meme in retaliation.
A few days later, it was time for A-Liao to be discharged from the hospital and taken into custody.
Shu Xuan was too busy, so she sent Xiao Ying to accompany Zheng Ling.
A-Liao was lying in bed scratching her armpit, looking thrilled to see them.
“Don’t look so glum. I’ll be out before you know it,” she said cheerfully, kicking on her shoes.
Xiao Ying had once thought A-Liao was too rowdy, but after seeing how capable she was, she couldn’t help but admire her.
“Teacher Shu asked me to give you this. She thought you’d like it,” Xiao Ying said, handing over a book wrapped in decorative paper.
A-Liao laughed as she accepted it. “Thanks, Teacher Shu! But what about you?” she turned to Zheng Ling. “Just because you’re a couple doesn’t mean one gift is enough!”
Zheng Ling knew she couldn’t bring much into prison. She pulled out a box of tea from her bag. “Here.”
“What? Sis, I don’t even drink—” A-Liao opened the box and stopped mid-sentence.
Inside was a stack of cash.
“If you want something while you’re inside, buy it. I’ll visit whenever I can,” Zheng Ling said.
After chatting for a while, A-Liao’s parents arrived and accompanied her with the police into custody.
On the way, A-Liao opened Shu Xuan’s gift. It was Misogyny by Ueno Chizuko.
She looked out at the sunlit sky.
One day, they would shine brilliantly, too.
Shu Xuan later learned that the fans who showed up that day were arranged by her uncle. His entertainment company had been forced to shut down after the protests. Most of the artists had left; a few remained stuck due to contract restrictions.
Fortunately, the legal and PR teams that had previously helped Shu Xuan’s studio had now signed directly with her.
Her uncle still had other companies—entertainment was just a side interest for him.