How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 34
Chapter 34
“You’re here, so of course I’d come back.” Zheng Ling didn’t know if it was appropriate to say that, but Shu Xuan didn’t respond.
She took out her phone and glanced at it—missed call reminders showed Zheng Ling had called her many times. There were also a few WeChat messages, from Shu Ming and Chen Ju.
“That orange girl messaged you again?” Zheng Ling’s tone was tinged with jealousy, though she didn’t even know what exactly she was jealous of.
Shu Xuan turned off the screen, then tucked her hand under her head like a pillow and said, “Take a guess.”
“I’m not guessing. I’m going to sleep.” Zheng Ling crossed her arms and turned her back to Shu Xuan like she was sulking.
All kinds of thoughts swirled in her mind—why wasn’t Shu Xuan asking about her? Did that Orange really like Shu Xuan? Worrying about these pointless things, Zheng Ling unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
By noon, the rescue teams had already relocated the villagers down the mountain. Most of the damaged houses were no longer habitable, so everyone had to temporarily live in emergency shelters.
The principal’s body was transported to the funeral home. When her parents arrived, they fainted from grief at the funeral home’s entrance.
Years ago, they had moved into the city. After the principal got married, her husband passed away due to illness, and she had stayed on the mountain ever since, never coming back down.
No one expected that after so many years, her return to the city would be in such a tragic way.
Students who had once left the mountain to attend school in Jin City heard the news and went to the funeral home on their own to mourn the principal. Some were already in high school, some were still in middle school, and others sent flower wreaths from faraway places.
They all knew—if not for the principal, they would never have escaped the mountains, never broken free from that cage.
The dating show was forcibly canceled due to the earthquake. Although the two-week schedule was only halfway through, the show had already achieved its intended impact.
The production team donated the livestream earnings to the school in the mountains of Jin City, hoping to contribute to the rebuilding of their home.
Zheng Ling and Shu Xuan returned to Nancheng. The two barely spoke over the following days, either because they were holding grudges or simply didn’t know how to start the conversation.
After getting home, Shu Xuan put on a facial mask. Li Li called her that day, asking if she was interested in working on a new film. Shu Xuan didn’t even look at the script before accepting. Li Li’s reputation in the industry was rock solid—every film she made was top-notch.
Zheng Ling had her own little plans. She took a packet of snail noodles from the cupboard and cooked it for Shu Xuan.
When Shu Xuan came out of the bathroom, Zheng Ling called out, “Teacher Shu, come eat!”
Shu Xuan had already smelled the aroma from before. She tore off her face mask and walked to the table. “Thank you, Boss Zheng.”
She took a few bites and said, “Boss Zheng, is there something you want to tell me?”
“No, nothing,” Zheng Ling scratched her head, not even sure what she was being petty about.
“Really?” Of course Shu Xuan didn’t believe her.
Zheng Ling really wanted to tell Shu Xuan that she might have already fallen for her. That the reason she was acting so moody was because she was jealous… because she was afraid… and maybe, because she didn’t feel very secure.
Just then, a call from Zheng Ling’s mother came through.
“Hello? Are you two okay?” Zheng Mama was barbecuing in the villa courtyard.
Zheng Ling snapped back to her senses and replied, “We’re fine.”
“Oh my goodness, you scared me to death. Your dad and I just saw the news. What about Xiao Xuan? Is she hurt?” Zheng Mama munched on grilled chicken wings. When Zheng Papa reached for a beer, she slapped his hand away.
“She’s fine. We’re both okay.” Zheng Ling replied.
“That’s good, that’s good.” Zheng Mama finally felt relieved. “If anything happens, you have to tell us. You and Xiao Xuan take care of each other. Even if there’s no romantic relationship, at least be like family or friends. As for having kids, just let nature take its course, okay?”
Zheng Mama had seen what Shu Xuan said during the livestream, and realized she’d been too pushy about them having children. In her mind, getting married meant having kids. But times had changed. Young people think differently now, and the social environment isn’t the same. She realized she couldn’t pressure others just because she wanted grandkids. Maybe she should put more effort into seeing if she could have another kid herself instead.
“Where’s Xiao Xuan? Is she beside you? Let me talk to her,” Zheng Mama continued.
Zheng Ling put the phone on speaker and set it between the two of them.
Shu Xuan cleared her throat. “Mom, can you hear me?”