How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 44

Chapter 44 

“I also hope that all the junior students here can find your own goals—first become independent individuals, and then pursue the value of your lives.”

“My life started against the current, but I managed to turn it around. I believe all of you can create a world of your own too.”

Shu Xuan had walked a long and difficult road. She knew she couldn’t shape anyone else’s life. All she could do was offer encouragement to students at this stage of life. Many things could only be truly understood once experienced firsthand. No matter how much she said, it would still feel like parental lecturing—harmless, but not necessarily helpful.

As a senior from Qingbei and a public figure, Shu Xuan felt both obligated and responsible to give back to society in a positive way. This was a standard she had held herself to for many years. In the entertainment industry, poor role models were everywhere, and many impressionable middle school and college students followed them blindly.

Chen Die led the applause. Looking at Shu Xuan on stage, she felt deeply gratified. Back then, Shu Xuan had been timid and insecure; now she stood tall and radiant with confidence. At one point, Chen Die had even been frustrated, wondering why someone as talented as Shu Xuan wouldn’t fully utilize her gifts. But seeing her shine brighter over time, she had long since let go of that frustration.

Zheng Ling’s eyes were full of Shu Xuan. Then her phone vibrated—it was a call from her father.

She bent down and quietly stepped out of the auditorium to answer.

“Dad? What’s wrong?” Zheng Ling asked.

There was silence on the other end. Her father sighed. “Your mother’s in the hospital. She didn’t want me to tell you, but I thought you should know.”

“What happened to Mom?” The moment Zheng Ling heard that, her ears buzzed like she had tinnitus.

“A few days ago, she was in a car accident. She’s awake now and out of danger, but…” Her father didn’t finish.

Zheng Ling’s hand trembled as she gripped the phone. She ended the call with shaking fingers and, still trying to keep her composure, sent Shu Xuan a message, then quickly booked a flight back to Jiangcheng.

Shu Xuan was still chatting with the freshmen and didn’t notice that Zheng Ling had already left. By the time she saw the message, Zheng Ling was already at the airport.

She immediately called. “Where are you?”

“At the airport,” Zheng Ling answered, standing inside the terminal. Light rain had begun to fall in Beicheng, and within moments, it turned into a torrential downpour as they spoke.

“What happened to your mom?” Shu Xuan asked. She was on her way back to the hotel.

Zheng Ling’s voice choked. “She was in a car crash.”

“Wait for me.” Shu Xuan checked the earliest flight back to Jiangcheng. She could still make it in time.

Thanks to her premium membership, she had staff fast-track the ticketing process. When she got to the airport, she went through the VIP channel straight to the gate. There, Zheng Ling sat blankly in a chair, holding her ticket in her hand like a child with nowhere to go—her eyes vacant, her posture frozen.

Shu Xuan, wearing a mask, walked up to her. She was furious, and it showed in her tone.

“Zheng Ling, do you even see me as your wife?”

Zheng Ling jerked her head up. Shu Xuan’s hair was messy from running. Everything her father had told her had thrown her into panic. She hadn’t thought things through—she had just rushed to the airport without talking to Shu Xuan.

“Teacher Shu, I…” Zheng Ling couldn’t get her words out. Just moments earlier, her father had messaged again. Her mother’s leg had been broken—amputation was necessary. He even sent a photo.

Shu Xuan sat down beside her and wrapped her in an embrace.

“You told me to lean on you. But when something happens, I want to be the first person you think of. Can you do that for me?” she asked gently.

She softly patted Zheng Ling’s shoulder.

Once they boarded the plane, Shu Xuan upgraded Zheng Ling’s seat so they could sit together. Zheng Ling leaned against her shoulder, sniffling like she’d just been crying.