How Can a Construction Foreman Be the Public Girlfriend of a Top Celebrity? - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Zheng Ling glanced sideways at her phone screen, frowning at the notification—it was way too explicit.

Shu Xuan had received the same message. Her expression immediately slipped out of control.

“Technology’s gotten this advanced?” Zheng Ling scoffed, “You can actually have kids after getting one of those shots?”

Just as she said that, rustling sounds came from under the bed.

Several people suddenly popped out, arms full of peanuts and dates, which they dumped over the two women without mercy.

A Liao clapped her hands. “Time to make a baby! Chop-chop!”

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Startled, Zheng Ling threw her phone aside and lunged for the baseball bat, ready to apprehend the intruders.

Xiao Ying and Da Tou tossed their hoards of dates and peanuts onto the bed, grinning mischievously. “It’s your wedding night! This is tradition—just like in the old days!”

“You scared the life out of me.” Zheng Ling half-laughed, half-scolded. She reached into her pocket and pulled out some red envelopes. “Here. Take these.”

Xiao Ying and Da Tou gleefully took the red envelopes, while A Liao picked up the phone Zheng Ling had dropped.

“Ooh? So there’s really a special-effect fertility shot?” A Liao peered at the message on Zheng Ling’s phone.

Shu Xuan looked mortified, like someone had just dug up one of her deepest secrets.

Da Tou and Xiao Ying crowded around to look. Everyone gasped in unison.

Zheng Ling snatched her phone back. “You got the red envelope, now scram!”

“What’s the rush to get pregnant?” A Liao teased with a pervy grin, looking like a sleazy man ogling a pretty girl.

“You two didn’t even take the shot, right? How are you supposed to have a kid anyway?” she continued to stir the pot. If Zheng Ling didn’t know this was just how A Liao was, she’d probably have beaten her up like everyone else wanted to.

Xiao Ying pouted. “Mind your own business.”

“How’s it not my business?” A Liao hooked an arm around Xiao Ying’s shoulders. “I want them to use the fertility shot and then gift me the leftovers.”

“What the hell would you do with that?” Xiao Ying rolled her eyes.

“I’ll grow myself some knockers and let my girlfriends have fun—maybe let you try it too.” A Liao burst out laughing.

“You’re insane!” Xiao Ying shouted, face red.

“I heard there’s even a version where your finger can transform and get someone pregnant just by, you know, a little ‘poke and pray’~” A Liao giggled, quoting some bizarre website—not even from Banxia’s novels.

Zheng Ling had a massive sweatdrop. Shu Xuan pretended she didn’t hear.

Xiao Ying blushed furiously and ran out of the room. Da Tou chuckled, said a few words to Shu Xuan, and followed A Liao out.

The bridal suite was left with a bed full of peanuts and red dates, making it impossible to lie down comfortably.

Shu Xuan sat at the head of the bed. Zheng Ling plopped down at the foot.

“I didn’t get the shot, and I didn’t ask you to either,” Zheng Ling explained.

Shu Xuan didn’t respond. Instead, she pulled out a contract from the bedside drawer.

“Boss Zheng, please review this agreement.”

The title read: ‘Ten Marriage Rules’. Zheng Ling stared wide-eyed in confusion.

“Since we’re being forced into this marriage, I figured we should set the boundaries early,” Shu Xuan said, taking out a pen.

Zheng Ling took the agreement and flipped it open.

1. No gossiping about Shu Xuan in front of others.

2. No getting angry—everything must revolve around Shu Xuan.

3. No bringing strangers home.

4. No disappearing without reason—marital duties must be fulfilled.

5. No snooping on each other’s privacy.

6. No making poor decisions without consent.

7. No lying.

8. No crawling into bed!

9. No crawling into bed!!

10. No crawling into bed!!!

Zheng Ling was dumbfounded—three whole rules just about not climbing into bed, each with more exclamation points than the last.

Shu Xuan held the pen out to her. “What? Don’t dare sign it?”

Zheng Ling tucked the contract into her chest with a smile. “Alright. Whatever my wife says goes.”

Shu Xuan’s lips curved up in a faint smile. She kicked a box near her feet.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Don’t touch it! It’s dangerous!” Zheng Ling panicked—it was a box of adult toys her mom had sent. She thought her mom was just joking until the package actually arrived. She had hidden it under the bed, and now it must’ve gotten knocked out during the earlier chaos.

Shu Xuan handled it cautiously. “Why would you store something dangerous in the bedroom?”

“Ahem… I’ll move it right now.” Zheng Ling hurriedly carried the two boxes out of the room.

When she came back, the bedroom door was shut. Zheng Ling scratched her head—this agreement went into effect a little too quickly.

The wedding guests had long since left. Some cleaning ladies remained behind. Zheng Ling asked them to prepare a guest room.

One of the ladies was surprised and asked, “Boss Zheng, you’re sleeping separately on the first night?”

“I reek of alcohol, and Ms. Shu is already asleep. I don’t want to disturb her,” Zheng Ling replied.

“You’re so considerate, Boss Zheng. If I had known earlier, I’d have married a woman too. Men are the worst.” The cleaning lady grumbled while making the bed.

“Get divorced and find someone new,” Zheng Ling said casually, lounging on the sofa.

The lady paused mid-action. “You’re right! I’m taking a few days off to go get a divorce!”

“Huh?” Zheng Ling was stunned.

“Only women truly understand women,” the auntie declared. “If I could find a girlfriend like you, Boss Zheng, that’d be perfect.”

“Um… maybe sleep on it?” Zheng Ling didn’t expect her words to be taken so seriously.

“No! I’m filing tomorrow!” the woman said firmly like a feminist warrior.

Years later, Zheng Ling arrived at the underworld palace.

The King of Hell told her she was going to the 18th layer of hell.

Zheng Ling asked, “Why?”

King of Hell: Please watch the VCR.

On the first day of marriage, Zheng Ling woke up early to make breakfast.

The villa garden was full of roses and hydrangeas. A breeze carried down a few petals.

Shu Xuan lazily stretched in bed. With no work lately, she felt blissfully relaxed—it had been a long time since she’d felt this at ease.

She came downstairs and saw a bouquet on the dining table and breakfast ready. A note was left beside it.

Good morning, Teacher Shu. Miss Zheng is busy and unable to greet you, so she’s left breakfast. Please enjoy it. >v<

On the table were two meal sets: Chinese-style flatbread with soy milk, and Western-style sandwiches with coffee. Zheng Ling probably didn’t know what Shu Xuan preferred, so she prepared both.

Shu Xuan sat down, admiring the fresh flowers and eating the still-warm flatbread. It was actually quite tasty.

She’d lived alone for many years and wasn’t used to this kind of life—but it was novel. Zheng Ling was better than she had expected.

The reason she made that contract was to remind herself: No one in this world will be good to you forever. She didn’t think she could love someone, nor was she sure she’d be loved in return.

Having grown up in a household where her father abused her mother, her understanding of love and marriage came mostly from novels and movies. She had to stay cautious—today might be sunshine and rainbows, but tomorrow could be utter devastation.

For Shu Xuan, love was a rare commodity. She didn’t hate anyone, nor did she expect too much. Mutual respect was enough.

Meanwhile, Zheng Ling’s project had entered the inspection phase. Inspectors were checking the reservoir.

“I heard you just got married?” said a man named Director Hou.

“Yes,” Zheng Ling replied, following him closely.

The reservoir had excellent safety measures. This section was the first to be inspected, and Director Hou was in charge.

“Congratulations,” he said while examining the water levels. “Young and capable, Boss Zheng.”

“You flatter me,” Zheng Ling replied politely. “We still need your guidance for any issues.”

Director Hou, whose balding head gleamed under the sun, chuckled. “No need for that. Just checking in.”

“It’s almost lunchtime. How about a meal?” Zheng Ling invited.

“No, we have standard meal allowances. I shouldn’t.”

Zheng Ling smiled. “Don’t worry, I know the rules. But surely bottled water is allowed?”

She handed him a water bottle—the cap was already twisted open.

Director Hou took a sip, his expression changing instantly. “You’re a smart girl. I suppose a little meal wouldn’t hurt.”

“Right this way,” Zheng Ling said with a smile.

The bottle contained Maotai liquor. People like Director Hou could recognize it from just a sip.

The lunch went smoothly. Director Hou signed off on the inspection. They would double-check the documents next week.

As he left, he even took a handful of wedding candy.

Zheng Ling collapsed in a chair afterward. She used to hate dealing with such people, but now she had no choice but to play along.

That evening, as she returned home, she saw Shu Xuan picking flowers in the yard. She leaned on the doorframe, watching.

Shu Xuan was cutting roses with scissors, trimming the stems carefully. Bathed in sunset light, her slender fingers moved deftly among the petals. From afar, Zheng Ling was mesmerized.

It felt unreal—like something out of a dream.

Noticing the gaze, Shu Xuan looked up and saw Zheng Ling.

Zheng Ling was filthy from lunch with Director Hou and helping workers move leftover materials from the site.

“Why aren’t you coming in?” Shu Xuan asked, pausing her movements.

“I’m looking at you,” Zheng Ling said with a grin.

“Oh.” Shu Xuan lowered her head to continue trimming.

“Is that all? Teacher Shu, you’re so cold,” Zheng Ling walked over but didn’t touch her, afraid her dirty clothes would smudge Shu Xuan.

“What response do you expect?” Shu Xuan replied coolly.

“At the very least, a passionate kiss,” Zheng Ling joked shamelessly.

Shu Xuan couldn’t help but laugh at Zheng Ling’s ridiculous expression.

“What?” Zheng Ling asked.

“You look like a sad little stray dog begging on the street,” Shu Xuan said and walked inside with the bouquet.

From fragrant pup to filthy mutt—Zheng Ling rushed inside and sneakily rubbed her dirty sleeve on Shu Xuan’s arm, leaving a streak.

“Zheng Ling!” Shu Xuan recoiled, disgusted.

Zheng Ling stuck out her tongue. “Just marking my territory.”

Their days continued like this—uneventful, but sweet.

Shu Xuan’s latest movie started its promotional tour. She returned to Xinghe Entertainment.

Qin Qing was still giving her the best resources, but no new projects had been arranged.

Since the press conference, most rumors were cleared. It was also revealed that Shu Xuan had changed her name.

At a promotional event in an office building, someone suddenly yelled, “Li Pannan!!”

Among the screaming female fans, the male voice stood out. He wore a tight polo shirt and shorts that clung to his thighs—sleazy as hell.

Shu Xuan paused mid-autograph. The man shouted again.

“Li Pannan! You think no one knows who you are just because you changed your name?!”

Xiao Ying immediately had security drag him out. The fans stood up for Shu Xuan.

Rumors about Shu Xuan’s original name, “Li Pannan,” began circulating again.

It wasn’t a new topic, but people had subconsciously avoided it.

After Shu Xuan’s mother killed her abusive husband, Shu Xuan changed her name. “Li Pannan” had been given by her grandmother, who wanted the family to have a boy.

When Shu Xuan’s mom gave birth to a second daughter, the grandparents were clearly disappointed and never treated the two girls kindly.

The video of the incident went viral. “Li Pannan” became a trending topic.

Many netizens sympathized. They realized her name meant the family had wanted a boy. Women across the internet began joining the conversation.

Commenter 1: “No need to shame Shu Xuan. She’s a victim too.”
Commenter 2: “My name’s Ruo Nan (‘like a boy’)… My mom fought hard but couldn’t change it.”
Commenter 3: “This society sucks. We can’t change it ourselves. I hope aliens attack and nuke the damn place.”

Zheng Ling was surprised when she saw the news. Shu Xuan had never mentioned this.

She used to think Shu Xuan’s surname was just from her mom, but now it all made sense. No wonder Shu Xuan always said she didn’t need special treatment—she had been through a lot.

Feeling sorry for her, Zheng Ling ordered a bunch of live seafood and began cooking crayfish.

“Teacher Shu! Let me warm your heart!” Zheng Ling sang while bustling in the kitchen. The meal was ready just as Shu Xuan walked in.

The table was full of seafood, along with fresh fruits flown in from Xinjiang.

“Dinner’s ready!” Zheng Ling called, pouring Shu Xuan a glass of red wine.

“You won the lottery or something?” Shu Xuan asked.

“I win every day. That’s why I cook good food every day,” Zheng Ling beamed, placing peeled crayfish in Shu Xuan’s bowl.

“Let’s hope so.” Shu Xuan smiled and began eating.

“How’s work?” Zheng Ling scooped out sea urchin and filled a small porcelain bowl.

Shu Xuan was already used to being taken care of. “Pretty good. Xinghe is planning to terminate the contract.”

“Planning to sign with anyone else?” Zheng Ling asked, pushing the bowl toward her.

“Not at the moment,” Shu Xuan replied, spooning some sea urchin. “Why do you care about my work now?”

“Haha, I don’t understand the entertainment industry. Just curious.” Zheng Ling thought of her uncle, who had some involvement in the industry, and planned to ask her mom about it.

Shu Xuan didn’t reply and focused on her food.

“Don’t worry. Even if you don’t work, I can support you,” Zheng Ling teased.

“I’d rather not. Flowers raised in greenhouses usually die tragically,” Shu Xuan smiled faintly.

Zheng Ling raised her eyebrows—she hadn’t expected that answer.

That night, in her own room, Zheng Ling pulled out her laptop and began watching Shu Xuan’s films.

The first one was a historical drama—Shu Xuan’s first big female lead role. Her acting was average, but the show had been a hit.

Zheng Ling remembered hearing its theme song everywhere back in college but had never watched it due to graduation stress.

As she watched, she saw Shu Xuan tackle various genres. It wasn’t until a suspense film that she finally broke through and won Best Actress.

That film became the foundation of her stardom. Zheng Ling curled up in bed watching it—A Liao had once asked her to see it in theaters, but she’d brushed it off at the time.

She had to admit, based on behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, Shu Xuan really loved acting.

She’d faced plenty of controversy, but no one ever questioned her talent or dedication.

Zheng Ling sent her mom a message, asking about her uncle’s entertainment company.