The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 301 Testing (Part )

Cen Jiexiao nodded thoughtfully: "It seems that Xiaoman's observation is correct." There was a hint of loss in her tone, but she quickly concealed it.

Yu Lan put down the teacup in her hand, sighed softly, and said, "As for Lord Chen..." She paused, her eyes drifting out the window, as if she was lost in some memories.

"He pretends to be indifferent to you, Dean, but in fact he has been silently paying attention to you and protecting you, just like..."

She paused, as if searching for the right metaphor.

"Just like the bright moon guarding the stars in the dark night, although it never speaks, it always guards silently."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Cen Jiexiao couldn't help but become interested. She leaned forward slightly and asked curiously.

Yu Lan pursed her lips and smiled, then continued, "A few days ago, I borrowed the advice of Master Chen to study the Commentary on the Classic of Mountains and Rivers, and you happen to have a rare edition..."

Yu Lan paused deliberately, keeping the question in suspense. Seeing that Cen Jiexiao was listening more attentively, she continued, "I've decided to use this opportunity as an introduction to let Master Chen know about your recent situation, Teacher."

"So I found an excuse and sent the copy of 'Commentary on the Classic of Mountains and Rivers' to Lord Chen's residence."

Yu Lan recalled the scene at that time and a smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of her mouth.

"I told Master Chen at the time that this was something you, the teacher, asked me to pass on, and I hoped he could give me some pointers."

"After receiving the book, Lord Chen did not show any special enthusiasm. He just said thank you lightly." Yu Lan imitated Chen Zigui's expression and tone at the time. Her tone was calm, but it contained deep meaning.

"But." Yu Lan changed the subject, lowered her voice, and spoke mysteriously.

"I noticed that there was a hint of joy in his eyes, just like... just like a traveler who has been thirsty and finally sees an oasis in the desert." She tried to find the right metaphor.

Yu Lan paused and continued, "Later, I heard from his attendants that after Lord Chen returned to his study, he carefully turned the pages of the book, his fingertips gently stroking the pages as if he were touching a treasure. Sometimes his brows furrowed, sometimes the corners of his mouth curled up, and sometimes he recited the words in a low voice, completely immersed in the book and forgetting himself."

"Moreover," Yu Lan continued, "and not only did he stay up all night studying it over and over again, he also filled the blank spaces of the pages with comments. His words revealed his admiration and...longing for you, teacher." Yu Lan deliberately lengthened her voice and spoke meaningfully.

Xiaoman also added, "I've been keeping in touch with Master Yulan recently, exchanging information we've gathered. I heard that Master Chen has been frequently asking his colleagues about your recent situation, and his words are filled with concern, even..."

Xiaoman deliberately paused, looked at Cen Jiexiao's reaction, and then continued: "He even asked someone to find out what you like and what your hobbies are, saying that he wanted to... cater to your preferences." Xiaoman covered her mouth and chuckled.

Cen Jiexiao listened quietly, with mixed feelings in her heart. Two completely different emotions intertwined and collided in her heart, hitting her heart like a surging tide.

The Emperor's passion came and went quickly, like a fleeting bloom, leaving behind only a faint aftertaste, yet also a sense of melancholy. Meanwhile, the affection of the eldest brother was like a trickling stream, endless, nourishing her heart and warming her life.

"It seems that the emperor's feelings for me are not completely sincere. After all, he is the king of a country and has three thousand beauties in his harem. Freshness is the most important thing to him. He may be in love with me today, but he may fall in love with someone else tomorrow." Cen Jiexiao murmured to herself, with a hint of loss in her tone.

"And my eldest brother, he always has me in his heart. He always protects me and never leaves me." Cen Jiexiao's tone became firm. Thinking of this, Cen Jiexiao's heart suddenly felt much lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders. An unprecedented sense of relief arose spontaneously. She knew that she had to make a choice.

As night fell, Cen Jiexiao, filled with anxiety and anticipation, quietly slipped out of the villa where she was staying. She wanted to meet Chen Zigui, to confess everything to him, to tell him her true choice.

Along the way, Cen Jiexiao's heart was like a turbulent sea, full of excitement and nervousness. She imagined the scene of reuniting with Chen Zigui, imagined them hugging each other tightly and telling each other their hearts, imagined that from now on, they could stay together forever, never to be separated.

However, when she came to Chen Zigui's courtyard and saw the warm scene in the study, her heart seemed to be grasped by an invisible big hand and almost stopped beating.

Warm light streamed through the study window, illuminating Cen Jiexiao's pale face. Through the window, she saw Chen Zigui engaged in an intimate conversation with a strange woman. The woman was beautiful and elegant, her every gesture exuding the charm of a mature woman. They chatted and laughed cheerfully, their manners intimate, like a perfect match.

Cen Jiexiao's footsteps stopped where they were, as if nailed to the ground, unable to move. She felt her breathing become rapid, as if a huge rock was pressing on her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe.

She couldn't believe her eyes. She couldn't believe that the man she loved so deeply was so intimate with another woman. Could it be that all this was fake? Could it be that everything he had shown before was just a disguise?

She rubbed her eyes and looked back toward the study, hoping this was all just an illusion. However, reality slapped her hard in the face. The woman gently rested her head on Chen Zigui's shoulder, while Chen Zigui gently put his arm around her waist. They smiled at each other, their eyes filled with love.

At this moment, Cen Jiexiao's heart sank to the bottom. She felt like she had been slapped hard, and her face was burning with pain. She couldn't believe her eyes, couldn't believe that the man she loved so deeply had betrayed her.

Tears blurred her eyes unconsciously. She bit her lips tightly to stop herself from crying out loud. She wanted to turn around and leave, but found that her legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, too heavy to lift.

She stood there blankly, watching the heartwarming scene in the study, her heart aching. She didn't know where to go, or what to do. She only knew that her heart was broken...

Outside Chen Zigui's villa, the night wind was weeping and complaining, like an ice-cold hand, mercilessly brushing past Cen Jiexiao's thin figure.

The wind carried the chill of early autumn, stinging her skin and her broken heart.