How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 40
Chapter 40
“Thank you, Uncle. You’re the most handsome,” Zheng Ling said sweetly for once.
Her uncle clearly enjoyed the compliment. “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you and Chen Xin?”
“You don’t trust me?” Zheng Ling asked helplessly.
“I do, but if we’re going to handle PR properly, I need to know the full story,” he replied. “Have you met Chen Xin privately?”
“Of course not,” Zheng Ling said firmly.
“Good. Just make sure you’re not caught together in private, or all our work will be wasted.” Her uncle rubbed his temples, sounding tired. “Alright then. By tomorrow morning, you’ll start seeing results.”
“Thanks, Uncle.”
“No need to thank me.”
Her uncle had the PR department from another of his businesses get in touch with some former media contacts. Late that night, they started posting about the Zheng Ling and Chen Xin situation.
The message was that Chen Xin had always been diligent in her work, had a happy family, and that Zheng Ling only worked with her—but someone was twisting things to stir up gossip.
The late-night gossip crowd wasn’t buying it. They were skeptical that there was nothing between Zheng Ling and Chen Xin.
But since there were no intimate photos, just empty speculation, it was hard to believe completely. Shu Xuan’s fans felt bad for her—these baseless rumors dragged her into unnecessary drama.
Commenter 1: [Funniest thing I’ve seen all year—a construction foreman marries a celebrity, and then cheats?]
Commenter 2: [It’s gotta be more than just rumors. That construction boss and Chen definitely have something going on.]
Commenter 3: [Honestly, it’s all just speculation. No proof yet, so let’s wait and see. I’ve seen too many stories with unexpected twists.]
Her uncle’s media team then pushed content about Zheng Ling’s achievements—from building reservoirs in Nancheng to leading tourism projects. There were even photos from her time volunteering in Jin City, where she looked utterly exhausted, clothes filthy, and Shu Xuan next to her, looking like a beautiful beggar.
Commenter A: Still no evidence. If you have proof, post it!
Commenter B: I just feel bad for them—getting attacked for nothing.
Commenter C: Seriously? No receipts, but you all wrote whole novels? Come on.
After seeing the photos, many netizens began speculating about the real CP—Zheng Ling and Shu Xuan. Fans jumped in to control the narrative.
Fan 1: Carrying my precious Xuanyan away from this mess!
Fan 2: Ugh, I feel bad for my queen, but the two of them look good together.
Fan 3: Let’s stay rational—don’t throw false accusations at Xuanyan. I trust our couple!
Soon after, Nancheng’s official Weibo account also posted a clarification about Zheng Ling and Chen Xin’s relationship. Thanks to her uncle’s connections with local publicity departments, they were able to release a formal PR statement.
Zheng Ling scrolled through the posts and saw that the narrative had shifted. No one cared about her and Chen Xin anymore—instead, they were hyping her and Shu Xuan as a couple.
She spotted a comment:
“Damn, look at Zheng Ling’s arm muscles—you just know she’s been carrying bricks. Imagine how satisfying it is to be with her. Shu Xuan is eating good!”
Another one read:
“Honestly, they look great together. But socially? It’s complicated. In a novel, I’d totally ship this rough-contractor x celeb pairing. But if my real-life idol married a construction boss, I’d slam my head into a wall.”
“Jeez, you guys say so much when Shu Xuan herself hasn’t even commented. Wild imagination.”
Eventually, Zheng Ling fell asleep while scrolling. Her dreams were restless—people were accusing her over and over, and no matter how much she explained that she had nothing to do with Chen Xin, no one would listen.
She woke up at 7 a.m., startled. After grabbing a bottle of water, she checked the time, ordered breakfast, and added a second portion for Shu Xuan. She wasn’t sure if Shu Xuan was awake, so she texted her.
To her surprise, Shu Xuan replied instantly.
Zheng Ling immediately called her. “Shu Xuan, you’re up?”
“Mmhm. What’s up?” Shu Xuan sounded like she was brushing her teeth, voice muffled with water running in the background.
“I…” Zheng Ling hesitated. She had wanted to say she missed her, but instead said, “Want to have breakfast together?”
Shu Xuan, now drying her face with a towel, replied, “Breakfast? But I’m in Dongcheng.”
“I know. So am I,” Zheng Ling chuckled. “What’s your room number?”
“Wait—are you one of those AI voice scammers pretending to be Zheng Ling?” Shu Xuan checked the number. It really was hers.
“Shu Xuan!” Zheng Ling said as she slipped on her shoes. “It’s me. Your legally wedded wife.”
Shu Xuan gave her room number. She quickly changed into casual clothes and applied lipstick. Normally, she’d just wear a mask and head to set, but today felt different. Zheng Ling was here.
She looked at herself in the mirror, noticing her involuntary smile. Was she really that happy just because Zheng Ling was here?
When the knock came, her heart thudded. She was actually nervous. They’d seen each other many times—why now?
She took a deep breath and opened the door.
Zheng Ling stood there with the hotel breakfast cart, smiling brightly. “Good morning, Shu Xuan!”
“Morning.” Shu Xuan stepped aside.
Zheng Ling pushed the cart in. “Shu Xuan, I’m sorry. There’s really nothing between me and Secretary Chen.”
Shu Xuan sat down and took a sip of coffee. “I know.”
“Thanks for believing me,” Zheng Ling said earnestly. She wasn’t sure if Shu Xuan had defended her out of duty from their marriage—or because she truly cared.
“We’re married. We should trust each other,” Shu Xuan said, picking up a slice of bacon. “When did you get here, Boss Zheng?”
“Last night,” Zheng Ling replied honestly.
Shu Xuan raised an eyebrow. “And you didn’t come find me?”
“It was late. I didn’t want to disturb your rest,” Zheng Ling said softly, warming her hands around a cup of soy milk.
Shu Xuan looked away. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Zheng Ling’s gaze. There was something about her eyes—honest and intense—that always stirred her heart.
Da Tou called at that moment. “Shu Xuan, someone suppressed last night’s trending topic. Everyone’s talking about your love life with Boss Zheng now.”
“Got it. Oh, and tell Xiao Ying not to bring breakfast—I’ve already eaten.” After hanging up, she turned to Zheng Ling. “Was that your doing?”
“I asked my uncle to handle it,” Zheng Ling admitted.
The two ate in silence. Since returning from Jin City, something between them had shifted—foggy, uncertain, quietly intimate.
“Isn’t your construction site busy?” Shu Xuan asked casually.
“It is,” Zheng Ling replied, “but I still wanted to see you.”
Shu Xuan set down her fork, full. “Boss Zheng, your top priority should be work. Once your company thrives, there’ll be plenty of time for love.”
Zheng Ling latched onto her last sentence. “So… we can talk about love?”
“Maybe,” Shu Xuan said with a playful, unreadable smile. “I need to go to set. Are you heading back to Nancheng or staying here?”
Zheng Ling clenched the fork tightly—her knuckles pale. “I’m going back.”
“Alright. Work hard,” Shu Xuan stood up, handed her a napkin. “Thanks for breakfast.”
They left together. At the hotel entrance, they bumped into Xiao Ying.
“Boss Zheng?!” Xiao Ying was stunned.
Zheng Ling nodded. “Take good care of Shu Xuan.”
“Of course!” Xiao Ying stood tall with pride.
Shu Xuan added, “Drive safely. Let me know when you get back to Nancheng.”
“Will do.” Zheng Ling headed to the garage, and only after she was gone did Shu Xuan get into the car to head to set.
Someone had snapped a photo of them at the hotel entrance and posted it online. Netizens now believed the two weren’t living separately.
Others claimed to have spotted Zheng Ling at a highway toll booth in the middle of the night—she’d driven through the night and was now heading back.
Commenter A: Zheng Ling, don’t love so hard!
Commenter B: Mom, I want a partner like Zheng Ling too!
Commenter C: Shu Xuan is stunning—even in casual wear, she looks like haute couture.
Da Tou had leaked the photo. Fans flooded the comments with “I’m dying from how shippable they are!” They were slowly warming up to their contractor sister-in-law.
Zheng Ling didn’t let the trip disrupt her work. Yang Lei quickly received the materials at the usual price, and the site resumed normal operations.
Meanwhile, at the set, Shu Xuan was greeted by Chen Ju.
“Good morning, Shu Xuan.” Chen Ju looked vibrant. Her acting had improved, and she no longer seemed nervous around Shu Xuan.
“Morning,” Shu Xuan replied, keeping some distance.
“I saw the news yesterday. Are you alright?” Chen Ju asked with concern.
“I’m fine,” Shu Xuan said with a smile.
“That’s good.” Chen Ju sat down. “Today’s scene…”
They began discussing the day’s filming. Li Li arrived just as shooting began, and the set buzzed with activity.
To promote the film, behind-the-scenes content was released. That day, it showed Shu Xuan and Chen Ju sitting close, reading the script together.
When Zheng Ling got home, she saw the vlog from Shining Moon Over the Southern Mountains. Shu Xuan and Chen Ju had their heads together, studying the script. Zheng Ling rubbed her fingers, telling herself it was just work.
But the comment section wasn’t so rational:
Commenter A: Ahhh! How does Xuanyan have chemistry with everyone?!
Commenter B: Right?! I was shipping her with Zheng Ling this morning. Now I’m shipping her with Juzi!