How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 28
Chapter 28
“You mean that incident? One of the girls in your class bullied a girl from mine,” Zheng Ling set down her coffee cup. “You didn’t know?”
Shu Xuan shook her head.
Zheng Ling hesitated for a moment, then continued, “Nowadays we’d call it campus bullying.”
“Campus bullying?” Shu Xuan was clearly unaware.
“Yeah. Honestly, a lot of top students in elite classes don’t have the best character.” Zheng Ling realized that sounded a bit too sweeping and added, “Academic performance doesn’t determine everything, and it shouldn’t be used to deny someone’s worth.”
Shu Xuan listened quietly, watching Zheng Ling speak, a bit entranced.
“It started with our homeroom teacher nitpicking that girl, which led to a lot of people isolating her,” Zheng Ling glanced at her phone—still some time before boarding. “The girl from your class was the teacher’s daughter.”
That part Shu Xuan did remember. In their elite class, many students had connections, but quite a few, like herself, had gotten in based purely on grades.
“So you took revenge on our class for her?” Shu Xuan asked.
“Exactly. I can’t stand people who bully others just because they have power—whether they’re male or female. Bullying is never okay.” Zheng Ling chuckled. “Does Teacher Shu think I was too reckless?”
“Not at all. An eye for an eye is the simplest form of revenge,” Shu Xuan smiled back.
Zheng Ling raised an eyebrow. “Want to hear the details?”
“Go on.” Shu Xuan sipped her coffee.
“It was right after the Spring Festival break. I had a bunch of firecrackers I’d saved up over the holiday. I specifically chose the time after morning exercises—since that’s when the long restroom line formed.”
Zheng Ling got animated as she talked, “I watched your class return from morning drills every day, waiting to catch her going into the bathroom. I staked out for a whole week before I saw her go in.”
“Then I ran up to the second floor, lit a firecracker, and dropped it into the sewer pipe—”
“Zheng Boss, stop. That’s enough,” Shu Xuan interrupted, already visualizing the whole scene.
“No way, you have to let me finish,” Zheng Ling was persistent, “The best part’s coming.”
“The firecracker was right in the toilet bowl—” Zheng Ling didn’t get to finish because Shu Xuan got up and clamped a hand over her mouth.
Zheng Ling mumbled, muffled, while Shu Xuan couldn’t hold back her laughter and buried her face in Zheng Ling’s shoulder. “Zheng Boss, shhh!”
At that moment, a staff member came over to inform them it was time to board.
Shu Xuan was still laughing as she sat back up. Da Tou and Xiao Ying walked in carrying bags. Seeing the two of them so close, they pretended not to notice.
Autumn in North City was noticeably more desolate than in the south, and the dry wind stung their faces.
They arrived at the hotel, where Shu Xuan and Zheng Ling shared a suite, while Da Tou and Xiao Ying stayed in a separate room.
The next day was the CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala—Shu Xuan’s first time participating in such an event. She had previously been invited to the Spring Festival Gala but always declined, thinking she had no notable talent, couldn’t sing, and would only ruin her image. This time, it was Da Tou who negotiated the deal, especially after a wave of recent brand cancellations. Shu Xuan needed to reestablish her standing quickly.
In the entertainment industry, newcomers were endless, but reaching Shu Xuan’s level was extremely rare. If she didn’t fight for resources, others would.
The next morning, Shu Xuan was already in makeup before Zheng Ling woke up. Zheng Ling opened the door bleary-eyed and saw makeup artists and Xiao Ying working on Shu Xuan in the living room. She was relieved she hadn’t worn her silly pig pajamas.
Xiao Ying looked puzzled. “Shu Teacher, Zheng Boss, didn’t you two sleep together?”
Before Zheng Ling could speak, Shu Xuan answered, “I got up early and didn’t want to disturb her rest.”
“Oh, I see.” Xiao Ying accepted the excuse.
One of the stylists commented, “Teacher Shu and Zheng Boss are really sweet together.”
Shu Xuan looked at herself in the mirror and smiled without replying.
Zheng Ling headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
“Zheng Boss, come to the gala with me,” Shu Xuan said.
“Me?” Zheng Ling had a mouth full of toothpaste and mumbled, “Better not.”
Shu Xuan didn’t press the matter, but Xiao Ying chimed in, “You should come! All the other stars are bringing their spouses. Otherwise, the seat next to Shu Teacher will be empty.”
“Or should we just assign her a male celebrity?” Xiao Ying pulled out her phone, ready to text Da Tou.
“I’m going! I just wasn’t fully awake earlier.” Zheng Ling quickly spat out her toothpaste.
Shu Xuan chuckled and had the stylists give Zheng Ling a makeover too.
By the time they were done, it was noon. Da Tou had already arranged for lunch to be sent to the hotel.
Zheng Ling wore a crisp white shirt under a black leather jacket, her hair slicked back behind her ears—sharp and stylish.
Shu Xuan wore Giambattista Valli’s Fall/Winter haute couture: a black strapless A-line gown with a trailing hem. The skirt was filled with white lace blossoms, making her look like a graceful, regal black swan. Around her neck was a Cartier pearl and ruby necklace once worn by Elizabeth Taylor—its first public appearance in China, valued at $11.8 million.
When Da Tou first got the call from Cartier, she didn’t believe it until Zheng Ling’s uncle confirmed it. The necklace had arrived under heavy security, with four or five guards carrying the safe. Once it was on Shu Xuan, it was as if it had come to life.
Even though Zheng Ling saw Shu Xuan every day, she was still blown away by her beauty.
At the gala venue, performers were already walking the stage. As a special guest, Shu Xuan only needed to participate in a magic segment—nothing too demanding.
The show began. Married celebrities all walked the red carpet with their partners. It was Zheng Ling’s first time attending such an event, and she was determined not to embarrass Shu Xuan.
Somehow, Da Tou had secured a Rolls-Royce. Shu Xuan and Zheng Ling rode it to the red carpet. The moment the car stopped, the spotlights hit.
Zheng Ling stepped out first, shielding the doorframe with her left hand and offering her right to Shu Xuan. Under the bright lights, they slowly walked down the red carpet.
Though the audience outside was made up of hired extras, the cheers when Shu Xuan appeared were clearly louder than for anyone before.
Shu Xuan waved gracefully at everyone. The lights dazzled Zheng Ling’s eyes, and she squinted, a little uncomfortable.
After signing autographs, they entered the venue.
Shu Xuan was seated at the same table as Li Li and Ye Yu. Li Li brought her spouse, while Ye Yu had their company’s new male artist beside her.
“Ms. Li,” Shu Xuan greeted politely.
Ye Yu visibly flinched at the sight of Zheng Ling, but still greeted Shu Xuan.
Li Li’s partner was a civilian. They exchanged polite nods.
“Xiao Shu, how’ve you been lately?” Li Li asked casually.
“I’m doing well. Ms. Li, I hope you weren’t too frightened that day—I never got a chance to ask.”
Li Li shook her head. “No, no. It was my first time seeing something like that.”
Ye Yu pouted. “Why aren’t you worried about me? I was there too, you know.”
Zheng Ling shot her a glare, and Ye Yu shut up immediately.
“And this is…?” Li Li didn’t know how to address Zheng Ling.
“Sorry, I forgot to introduce you. This is my spouse, Zheng Ling,” Shu Xuan said softly.
Zheng Ling grinned, “Just call me Xiao Zheng, Ms. Li.”
“Sure.”
During the recording, Zheng Ling found it boring and just kept eating. Even Shu Xuan’s share of the meal ended up in her stomach. She was the only one seriously eating at the table.
When Shu Xuan’s name was called, Zheng Ling still had half a mooncake in her mouth. Thankfully, she swallowed just before the spotlight hit.
Shu Xuan had a full five-minute segment—basically the length of a standalone performance.
The magician said, “Ms. Shu, please snap your fingers.”
Shu Xuan did as instructed.
Suddenly, balloons popped up from under Zheng Ling’s chair, startling her so much she jumped.
The audience burst out laughing at her reaction. The balloons exploded midair, transforming into doves, and then unfurled a banner that read: “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”
By the time the program wrapped up, it was 11 p.m. On their way out, they ran into Director Li. Shu Xuan hadn’t noticed him earlier due to the crowd.
After the usual pleasantries, Director Li said, “Ms. Shu, I’m taking on a dating reality show. Interested?”
“A dating show?” Shu Xuan was surprised. Director Li usually made films and dramas—why the switch?
“Well, you know how it is. The film industry’s in a slump. A lot of projects are shelved indefinitely. Our ‘Phoenix Rises’ still doesn’t have a release date—probably won’t air till this time next year,” he sighed. “So we have to get creative.”
“Plus, the current narrative promotes marriage and childbirth. This dating show could win government favor.”
“So, would you consider it?” Director Li asked earnestly.
Shu Xuan said she’d reply after the National Day holiday and mentioned it to Da Tou on the way back.
Da Tou said, “This is great. After the blow we took last time, this is a chance to show we support marriage—it’s all about optics now.”
Shu Xuan hesitated.
Zheng Ling, recalling Secretary Chen’s advice, said, “Shu Teacher, this isn’t a bad idea. First, it boosts your popularity. Second, it recovers what we lost. The higher-ups love shows that align with their messaging.”
What Zheng Ling said made sense. But Shu Xuan had never done variety shows like this before. Would audiences still be able to take her acting seriously afterward?
Xiao Ying chimed in, “Zheng Boss, sounds like you’re the one who wants to join the show!”
“Hmm? Really?” Shu Xuan turned to Zheng Ling.
Zheng Ling waved her hand. “I know nothing.”
Of course, the show was for married celebrities—if Shu Xuan went, Zheng Ling would go too.
It only took two hours to fly from North City to Jiang City. When they arrived at dawn, Zheng’s mom had sent a driver to pick them up.
Da Tou and Xiao Ying each went home and didn’t follow them to Jiang City.
Shu Xuan planned to give Director Li her answer after the holiday.
As soon as they arrived home, Zheng’s parents were waiting behind the door.
When the two of them stepped in—“Bang!”—confetti exploded everywhere.
“Welcome home, Xiao Xuan! The rest of you can come or not!” Zheng’s mom rushed up and gave Shu Xuan a big hug.
Shu Xuan was stunned, mostly by the heavy gold dumpling pendant around Zheng Mom’s neck that poked her uncomfortably.
“Come on, come on! ‘Dumplings when home, noodles when away’!” Zheng Mom cheerfully hung the gold dumpling pendant around Shu Xuan’s neck.
Shu Xuan was overwhelmed by the affection.
Zheng Ling muttered, “Mom, it’s ‘noodles when home, dumplings when away.’”
“What do you know,” Zheng Mom beamed at Shu Xuan wearing the gold dumpling. “I couldn’t find gold noodles, okay?”