How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Before sitting down, Chen Xin glanced at Zheng Ling and had her assistant free up a seat.
“Come, Boss Zheng, sit next to me,” Chen Xin said as if all the online rumors meant nothing to her.
Zheng Ling hesitated for a few seconds, but still went over and sat down.
Everyone in the conference room turned to look at the two of them. A few wore unfriendly expressions, clearly curious about what kind of drama the two might stir up.
Chen Xin’s seat was at the head of the table. By placing Zheng Ling right next to her, she was making it unmistakably clear what kind of status Zheng held in her eyes.
At first, Zheng Ling wondered if this “Hongmen Banquet” (a trap disguised as a feast) was really meant to question her relationship with Chen Xin. But now it was becoming obvious—it probably wasn’t.
Secretary Xu’s assistant turned on the LED screen, displaying the meeting title:
“Seminar on the Construction Materials and Environmental Testing for Nancheng Tourism Development Project.”
Zheng Ling hadn’t received any prior notice about this meeting, meaning she was pulled in at the last minute.
“Is everyone here?” Chen Xin asked. Today, she wore a modern Chinese-style suit. Her hair was neatly coiled behind her head, and her eyebrows were sharply defined—giving her an aura of fierce authority.
Chairman Xu had his assistant take a headcount. “All present, Secretary Chen.”
“I heard material prices—especially stone—have recently gone up. We’re seeing shortages in Nancheng. Anyone have a solution?” Chen Xin opened her black leather notebook and took out a pen from her br3ast pocket.
Chairman Xu glanced at Zheng Ling. But she didn’t avoid his eyes—instead, she stared directly at him, making him uncomfortable.
“Secretary Chen, as you know, it’s market-driven. Demand determines price,” Xu said boldly. Everyone knew Nancheng Group controlled many large and small factories in the area. Private factories barely survived in the gaps between.
During the reservoir project, the funding allocated to Nancheng Group had been generous, so things went smoothly for Zheng’s team. But for the tourism project, the funding was tightly controlled—every transaction documented.
“‘Demand determines the market,’ huh?” Chen Xin smiled faintly. “With the real estate sector in a slump, apart from tourism, where in Nancheng is there even any demand for large-scale construction materials?”
Zheng Ling hadn’t expected them to address things so bluntly. She thought they’d at least hint subtly. Now she was worried Chen Xin might get caught in the crossfire.
“Secretary Chen, you don’t know what it’s like at the lower levels,” Xu replied. “Most of our labor is outsourced—manpower is short. Many of our factories can’t meet demand. Nothing we can do.”
Chen Xin was well aware: ever since taking her position in Nancheng, many men didn’t take her seriously—not just in Nancheng Group, even her colleagues liked to challenge her authority.
But she also knew—there was no need to think on the same level as these people.
“If supply can’t meet demand, find a solution. I want results. I don’t care about your process.” Chen Xin’s tone turned sharp. “About the environmental pollution—was Nancheng Group’s transport fleet excluded from the previous environmental reports?”
Chairman Xu shook his head. The rest of the room fell silent.
“Xiao Li, take a team and work with Chairman Xu’s group. Get every large truck and delivery vehicle entered into the tracking system. I want daily emission levels recorded,” Chen Xin instructed her staff.
“Yes, Secretary Chen,” Xiao Li responded.
Xu quickly interjected, “Secretary Chen, our internal team can handle that. No need to trouble yourself.”
“How would it be trouble?” Chen Xin calmly jotted it down in her notebook. She clicked the pen closed. “It’s settled.”
At first, Zheng Ling didn’t understand why Chen Xin insisted on this. But then it clicked—this was her way of calculating Nancheng Group’s actual transport volume. If the transport numbers matched previous years, it would prove that production hadn’t dropped—meaning their claims were false. And once sales and purchase data were calculated, it could expose price manipulation.
They discussed a few more design topics for the tourism site. Toward the end, Chen Xin brought up something else.
“Since everyone’s here, let’s touch on something off-topic.”
Zheng Ling tensed. She knew exactly what was coming.
Chen Xin glanced at her. “There’s no need to speculate about my relationship with Boss Zheng. She’s one of Nancheng’s rare talents. I admire and appreciate her. That’s simply my care for a younger colleague as a senior.”
“I know who’s been spreading rumors. This time I’m letting it go. But if there’s a next time—it won’t be so simple.”
The room went completely silent. No one dared to speak.
Chairman Xu said with a laugh, “Since you two get along so well, why not make Boss Zheng your goddaughter?”
Chen Xin shot him a sidelong look. Zheng Ling quickly replied politely, “Chairman Xu, you flatter me. Just being able to work with Secretary Chen is already a great honor.”
If Chen Xin had truly named Zheng as her goddaughter in front of everyone, it would’ve been incredibly beneficial for Zheng—but it would also plant a time bomb for Chen Xin. It would give others ammunition later.
“Business is business, personal is personal. This isn’t the right setting. I’ll pick a lucky day to officially acknowledge the goddaughter Chairman Xu introduced me to,” Chen Xin replied, skillfully shifting the focus back to him.
Zheng Ling was deeply moved. In a world like this, with her personality, she would’ve died a thousand times over if not careful. Every word here sounded casual but had to be remembered. Every exchange looked sharp but carried hidden meanings.
She hated this kind of atmosphere—but had no choice.
“Haha, Secretary Chen, you’re too kind. Then we’ll leave it to you. Since we’re all here, why not have dinner together tonight?” Xu suggested.
“I’ll have to pass. It’s my husband’s birthday tonight. We always celebrate together—I can’t miss it,” Chen Xin declined.
With that, everyone suddenly understood: Chen Xin was married—and to a man. How could she possibly have feelings for Zheng Ling? Even if she did, someone in her position would never fall for a construction contractor. And judging by her gentle tone when she mentioned her husband, it was clear she loved him dearly.
After the meeting, Zheng Ling realized she barely spoke a word. Chen Xin had invited her just to show her face—to publicly declare her stance.
Zheng Ling had drunk too much water during the meeting, so she headed to the restroom.
While washing her hands, she smelled cigarette smoke and heard two men chatting nearby.
One man said, “That Chen Xin isn’t much, huh? At the end of the day, men still run the world. Honestly, a woman shouldn’t be in that position. She should just stay home and play housewife.”
“Keep your voice down,” the other replied. “This is all your fault—telling me to tip off the media. Look what happened. Chen Xin wasn’t even targeting us before, and now she’s got people monitoring the factories. We’ll have to watch our profits going forward.”
“What’s there to be afraid of? Xu’s the one up top. If anyone’s getting canned, it’ll be him first.”
Zheng Ling held her breath, hiding behind the door, afraid to miss a single word.
They continued, “Xu probably caught on and told the factories to restore the original prices. Now that Zheng Ling’s getting the better deal.”
“Hah, her little lover isn’t doing well. Just saw the news—surrounded by reporters at the hotel.”
“What do you have against her anyway?”
“That water reservoir project—you remember? My cousin got punched by her.”
“She hit him?” the other sounded surprised.
“Shh! You’re so loud!”
“You know, she does give off kind of a scary vibe. Looks like a Russian or something. Not even a bit feminine.”
Zheng Ling realized the speaker was Wu Yi. Peeking through the door, she saw the other man—fat-faced and greasy.
Then the toilet flushed. Chen Xin walked out.
The conversation outside abruptly stopped—their footsteps echoed as they left.
Zheng Ling greeted her, “Secretary Chen.”
Chen Xin washed her hands. After drying them with a paper towel, she asked, “Heard all that?”
“Mm… Thank you, Secretary Chen,” Zheng Ling said softly. She didn’t understand why Chen Xin defended her so fiercely.
“No need to thank me. As women, we already face more obstacles at work,” Chen Xin said without much emotion.
“I’ve been targeted and excluded too. I just don’t want someone like you, who actually gets things done, to be treated unfairly.”
Zheng Ling quietly listened. Chen Xin continued, “If you need help, come to me. And no need to bring tea next time.”
“Okay.” Zheng Ling felt ashamed of herself for trying to bribe her before. Chen Xin really wasn’t like the others.
“As for the rumors, leave them to you to clean up, alright?” Chen Xin said, adjusting her collar in the mirror.
“Got it. I’ll take care of it.”
“How’s your relationship with your spouse?” Chen Xin asked casually.
Zheng Ling instinctively touched her nose. “Pretty good. We’re planning to have a baby.”
Chen Xin raised an eyebrow, then smiled. “So Boss Zheng still doesn’t trust me. That’s fine—healthy skepticism is good.”
“Secretary Chen…” Zheng Ling didn’t know how to respond. Chen Xin’s direct words always made her feel like all her lies were pointless.
“Alright, I’ve got another meeting.” With that, Chen Xin walked out of the restroom.
Back at the office, Zheng Ling watched the video of Shu Xuan being hounded outside the hotel. Her heart ached. She wanted to call, but was afraid to disturb her.
After some thought, Zheng Ling rushed home, switched cars, and got on the expressway—driving straight to Dongcheng without a single stop.
By the time she arrived, it was already late at night. She booked a room in the same hotel where Shu Xuan was staying, planning to surprise her in the morning.
After washing up, she called her uncle.
It took a while for him to answer. His voice was cold. “What is it?”
“Uncle, I need a favor. Can you help handle those online rumors about Teacher Shu?” Zheng Ling’s tone was a bit humble. In front of her uncle, she was always just a kid.
“I’ve shut down my company already. Isn’t the PR department at your wife’s studio?” he snapped.
“I know. But I didn’t want to disturb her. Please?” she pleaded.
A long silence. “You’re not afraid of disturbing me, though?”
“That depends on how your spouse feels,” Zheng Ling replied cheekily.
“Bye. Goodnight.”
“Wait, you’d really let me suffer?” she said, pretending to cry.
Another pause. “Fine. I’m doing this for Shu Xuan.”