How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 41
Chapter 41
“What the hell are these comments saying?!” Zheng Ling’s eyes widened like copper bells—her jealousy could be smelled from five miles away.
She opened WeChat, typed something in the chat box, then deleted it. Was she being too petty?
After a moment of inner struggle, Zheng Ling buried her face in the pillow and flailed on the bed like a madwoman.
The next day.
Zheng Ling was watering the flowers Shu Xuan had planted, like usual. She snapped a photo and sent it over.
Zheng Ling: Teacher Shu, they’ve sprouted.
Shu Xuan was filming and hadn’t checked her phone.
Zheng Ling waited for a while but didn’t get a reply. So she drove straight to the office, where Yang Lei came over with an update.
“The air quality results that Secretary Chen asked for have come in,” he reported.
“How is it?” Zheng Ling didn’t look too great, and Yang Lei didn’t dare crack any jokes.
“Nancheng Group’s truck emissions are over the limit. Their vehicles weren’t great to begin with, and a few have already been scrapped. For the next few days, we’ll have to haul sand and gravel with our own trucks,” he explained.
“Alright. Check who isn’t scheduled for site duty and arrange a rotation,” Zheng Ling ordered. Her company had its own truck drivers, but deliveries from Nancheng were typically handled by their own transport team. Her workers usually only did on-site construction.
As Yang Lei turned to leave, he asked in a low voice, “Boss Ling, something bothering you?”
“Me?” Zheng Ling looked puzzled.
“Yeah. You look like a hemorrhoid,” he teased.
Zheng Ling’s face darkened. “Get lost.”
“Is it because of Teacher Shu?” Yang Lei dared to guess.
Zheng Ling didn’t respond.
“So I was right. I don’t get it—why are you two dragging your feet like this? You’re not usually like this, Boss Ling. Why so clueless when it comes to love?” He rambled on, “Besides, you’re already married. If there’s an issue, just talk it out!”
Zheng Ling cut him off. “What do you know? Go work, or I’ll dock your pay.”
“Nooo, not the pay!” Yang Lei ran off with the documents in his arms.
Zheng Ling and Shu Xuan were technically married, but it wasn’t based on love. Their relationship didn’t feel like that of a typical couple.
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she felt. She used to rely on A-Liao for advice, but now A-Liao was in jail, and she didn’t even have anyone to talk to.
Over the years, Zheng Ling had realized she was tired of socializing. She barely had any friends. Her life revolved around construction sites, and the only people she might connect with were a bunch of burly, rough men on site.
But ever since Shu Xuan moved in with her, Zheng Ling had started to feel like she couldn’t live without her. The once-empty house now felt like a giant beast that could swallow her whole—tearing apart her tough outer shell and exposing a soft, vulnerable heart.
When Shu Xuan finally replied, Zheng Ling was cooking at home. She had just taken her first bite of Shu Xuan’s favorite snail rice noodles when her phone buzzed.
Shu Xuan: Thank you, Boss Zheng. Don’t water them too much—too much water at this stage will make the seedlings mold.
Zheng Ling put her chopsticks down and mumbled, “Even the seedlings are more important than me.”
Still, she replied:
Zheng Ling: Got it, Teacher Shu. I’ll take great care of them. But I did steal one pack of your snail noodles.
Shu Xuan: Eat.
Zheng Ling wanted to keep the conversation going, but didn’t know what else to say.
Then another message came from Shu Xuan:
Shu Xuan: I’ll be going to Beicheng next week for an outstanding alumni event. Will you be free, Boss Zheng?
Zheng Ling: Is this… an invitation?
Shu Xuan: Mm. If you’re busy, I’ll just go by myself.
Zheng Ling nearly dropped her chopsticks.
Zheng Ling: I’ll go! Of course I’ll go! I’m free, totally free!
Shu Xuan looked at the reply and could already imagine Zheng Ling’s animated tone and expression. She smiled and sent back an “OK” hand emoji.
Qingbei University had invited Shu Xuan back before, but she’d been too busy with work to attend. This time, her scenes were minimal—mostly focused on Li Li and Chen Ju—so she had agreed to return to campus.
Da Tou was thrilled that Shu Xuan would go. Not many actors had graduated from a top university. And with all the recent drama, flaunting her academic credentials could shut up a few trolls.
Zheng Ling was in such a good mood at work that she was humming songs. Yang Lei showed up wearing a pink polo shirt, shiny leather shoes, and slicked-back hair.
“Well, look at you all dolled up! What, celebrating your wife taking a concubine?” Zheng Ling said cheerfully, completely different from the day before.
“Nonsense! It’s my wedding anniversary today. We’re having dinner at a fancy place later. How do I look—flashy enough?” Yang Lei twirled in front of her, his cologne nearly knocking her out.
Zheng Ling took two steps back. “Flashy? You could be the main ingredient in the cafeteria’s meat dumplings—just need extra Sichuan peppercorn and cooking wine to get rid of that smell.”
“Boss Ling, you’re glowing today. Did Teacher Shu come back?” Yang Lei ignored the sarcasm.
“She didn’t, but she invited me to her class reunion,” Zheng Ling raised an eyebrow. “Tell me, isn’t that kind of flirty? Like she’s trying to introduce me to her circle?”
Yang Lei thought it was no big deal. “Sigh, Boss Ling, you’ve really never been in love. You treat the smallest things like big romantic gestures.”
Zheng Ling was in too good a mood to be offended. “Fine. Since it’s your anniversary, I’ll give you the day off.”
“Really?!”
“If you don’t leave now, you’ll be working overtime.” She headed into the building.
Yang Lei jumped in his car and waved at her. “Boss Ling, hope you get to celebrate your own anniversary soon too!”
For the rest of the week, Zheng Ling obsessed over what to wear. She prepped a few business outfits, then a few casual ones—planning to send photos to Shu Xuan for help.
But after trying on each outfit and snapping mirror selfies, she got tired and decided to just call her on video.
Shu Xuan was doing yoga when the phone rang. She sat cross-legged and answered, “What’s up, Boss Zheng?”
“Teacher Shu, can I trouble you to help me pick an outfit?” Zheng Ling’s face filled the screen, eyes sparkling.
“Sure,” Shu Xuan looked at the mess of clothes behind her—Zheng Ling must’ve spent a long time picking them. Clearly, this reunion was important to her.
Zheng Ling put on a khaki layered blazer. “How about this one?”
“Move the camera back. Put it on the table,” Shu Xuan instructed. “Yes, now I can see your whole body.”
Zheng Ling followed. “Does it look good?”
“Not bad. A little too formal,” Shu Xuan commented.
Then Zheng Ling changed into a camel trench coat, planning to pair it with a turtleneck sweater and corduroy pants. “This one?”
It was a good choice—Beicheng was going to get colder next week.
“You need to put on the full outfit—shirt and pants—so I can see the full effect,” Shu Xuan added.
Zheng Ling moved the camera aside and started changing clothes.
But in the reflection of the full-length mirror—clearly placed to help her change—Shu Xuan saw everything.
As Zheng Ling began to take off her pants, Shu Xuan quickly said, “Boss Zheng, I’ll hang up now. Send me photos once you’re done changing.”
Zheng Ling turned just in time to see her reflection on the chat screen—and realized Shu Xuan must’ve seen it all.
Still, she wasn’t too embarrassed. They were both adults, both women, and even married—so what was the big deal?
After changing, she checked herself in the mirror and snapped a photo to send.
But Shu Xuan didn’t reply.
She was in the bathroom splashing cold water on her face, cheeks burning red from what she had just seen.
Zheng Ling, seeing no response, called again.
“Teacher Shu, check this out—what do you think?”
Shu Xuan answered, her face calm, but the redness hadn’t faded. “Looks good.”
“Your face is really red. Too warm?” Zheng Ling teased, fanning herself with her coat. “Will I be too hot wearing this in Beicheng?”
Seeing her wave the coat open reminded Shu Xuan of that mirror reflection earlier. She quickly placed the phone face-down on the table. “No. I just turned the AC up too high.”
“Oh? Really?” Zheng Ling’s voice floated through the speaker like silk, tickling Shu Xuan’s ear and making her heart itch.
Suddenly—beep. Shu Xuan hung up.
Zheng Ling collapsed onto her bed, laughing for a long time. How could Shu Xuan be this adorable?
Since Nancheng was a bit closer to Beicheng, Zheng Ling arrived first and waited for Shu Xuan at the airport.
Qingbei University had already posted about the alumni event on its official account, so many fans knew Shu Xuan would be flying in today.
Quite a few fans were camped out at the airport. Zheng Ling, feeling cold, pulled up her hoodie and wore a mask.
As Shu Xuan walked out of the terminal, fans rushed forward. Zheng Ling followed with her suitcase but moved slowly. The crowd pushed her to the side.
“Ahhh! Xuan Bao!”
“Wife! Stay healthy!”
“Xuan Bao, Beicheng is really cold—don’t catch a cold!”
The fans’ screams were enough to power an entire season of a romance drama.
Zheng Ling couldn’t get close and ended up stuck behind the crowd.
Shu Xuan spotted her immediately, bundled up and masked, but couldn’t leave just yet—she was still signing autographs and taking photos.
A young girl next to Zheng Ling jumped to see Shu Xuan and said, “Miss, are you a fan of Shu Xuan? If not, can you let me take your spot?”
“I’m chasing my wife,” Zheng Ling replied, turning her head.
“Then can I take your spot, please? Pretty please?” the girl pleaded.
Zheng Ling pulled down her hoodie a bit. “Shu Xuan is my wife.”
“She’s my wife!” the girl shifted positions and screamed even louder.
“Why don’t they believe me…” Zheng Ling muttered.
After finishing autographs, Shu Xuan smiled at her fans. “Be careful on your way home, okay?”
She patiently signed for everyone and took pictures with each fan. She knew she wouldn’t be where she was today without them.
Just as Zheng Ling was about to head to a quieter area to wait, Shu Xuan suddenly raised her voice:
“That fan in the hoodie and black mask—aren’t you coming with me?”