The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

In reality, Yu Lan knew Xia Chenghao's feelings for Cen Jiexiao. She could see the true love hidden beneath his cynical exterior. But Cen Jiexiao, that seemingly fragile yet heartfelt woman, carried too much on her shoulders. To her, the romance between a man and a woman seemed like a mirage, untouchable.

Xia Chenghao spurred his horse and galloped away, Yu Lan's words echoing in his mind. "President Cen has been injured and poisoned, and his body is weak..." These words hit him like a hammer, hitting him hard in the heart and making him almost breathless.

Cen Jiexiao was injured? He couldn't believe his ears. How could this extraordinary woman, who could plan and win battles from afar, be injured so easily? And she was poisoned!

"Gee!" He roared, his legs clamping down hard on the horse's belly. The steed, in pain, shot forward like an arrow. The scenery on the roadside flew backward, but his heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, and his breathing became rapid.

He couldn't imagine what would happen to him if something really happened to Cen Jiexiao. For the first time, he, who had always been cynical, felt the taste of fear. This fear, like a vine, tightly wrapped around his heart, almost suffocating him.

Cen Jiexiao, you must not be in any danger! He prayed over and over in his heart, wishing he could grow wings and fly to her side immediately.

The inn wasn't far from Zhaoyin Academy, and after just a few cups of tea, Xia Chenghao arrived at the academy's gate. He dismounted, casually tossed the reins to a nearby servant, and, disregarding any etiquette, galloped straight towards Cen Jiexiao's courtyard.

Xia Chenghao, though usually uninhibited, was also a man of great courtesy. Now, for Sister Cen Xiao, he had already thrown all that formality behind him. He was terribly anxious, wanting nothing more than to see Sister Cen as soon as possible and confirm her safety.

Relying on his martial arts skills, he jumped over the high wall in a few leaps and landed outside Cen Jiexiao's study.

Inside, Cen Jiexiao was changing out of her cumbersome academy robes. Since she took over the Zhaoyin Academy, she'd had several sets made for her to wear on her official duties. While formal, they were also restrictive. She preferred light, comfortable clothing and a freer life.

With a loud bang, the door was kicked open. Cen Jiexiao was startled and, in a panic, grabbed a coat and threw it at the intruder, shouting, "Who is so bold as to barge in?"

"Wow! Dean Cen, I'm a little overwhelmed by your enthusiasm."

A familiar voice came from the door. Cen Jiexiao looked closely and saw that the person coming was none other than the impetuous Prince Xia Chenghao of Xixiang.

He took off his veil, revealing his extraordinarily handsome face, with a cynical smile on the corner of his mouth, as if it was not him who broke into someone else's room.

Cen Jiexiao looked at the man before her, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart. His handsome face still wore a carefree smile, as if his recent reckless behavior had been a trivial joke. But Cen Jiexiao's heartbeat hadn't yet subsided. The shock still lingered in her chest, transforming into a nameless anger that burned fiercely within her.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger, and said coldly, "Your Highness, could you please go through the main entrance next time? Also, when I'm changing, could you please let me know before you come in?"

"Inform?" Xia Chenghao raised an eyebrow, a playful smile playing on his lips. "That would be so boring. Besides, if I had informed you, would I still be able to see such an interesting scene like this?"

He deliberately dragged out the ending of his words, a hint of playfulness and ridicule, his gaze roaming unrestrainedly over Cen Jiexiao, a flicker of amazement in his eyes. She wore only a moon-white lingerie, her long, inky hair cascading down like a waterfall, her skin white as snow, her features painted like a picture. Her usual sharpness and aloofness faded, revealing instead a touch of delicate tenderness that made him want to tease her.

Cen Jiexiao felt uncomfortable being stared at, as if she were completely exposed before him. She grabbed a cloak and wrapped it around herself, hiding the unpleasant sight. She said unhappily, "Your Highness, please respect yourself!"

"Self-respect?" Xia Chenghao chuckled, as if he had heard some ridiculous joke. He took a step forward, approaching Cen Jiexiao, looking down at her, his tone ambiguous, "When has this prince ever lost self-respect? I just feel that Dean Cen is a little more charming than usual, and even more attractive."

The warm breath sprayed on Cen Jiexiao's ears, making her shiver and want to escape from his control.

"You..." Sister Cen Xiao was furious. This guy was really slick and unruly! Didn't he know how disrespectful such frivolous words and actions were to a woman?

Seeing Cen Jiexiao's angry look, Xia Chenghao's mood brightened. He finally calmed down a bit, stood up, put away the smile on his face, walked up to Cen Jiexiao, and said with a hint of worry in his tone, "Okay, I won't tease you anymore. I heard you were injured? Where is the injury? Is it serious?"

Hearing his greeting, Cen Jiexiao's simmering anger seemed to be doused with cold water, leaving only a core of confusion. This guy was incredibly well-informed, finding out so quickly. Most likely, he'd gotten the information out of Yu Lan.

"I'm fine," Cen Jiexiao said indifferently, as if she was talking about an insignificant matter. "It's just a minor injury." She paused, and a faint arc appeared at the corner of her mouth, with a hint of self-mockery. "Look," she said, and even moved her arm slightly, trying to show that she was really fine. "Isn't it full of life?"

Xia Chenghao frowned, clearly unconvinced. He'd heard from Yu Lan that Cen Jiexiao had risked her life and even been poisoned by the fumes in order to capture the assassin leader. "A minor injury?" He asked with a hint of doubt, even a subtle hint of worry. "Yu Lan said you risked your life and were poisoned by the fumes in order to capture the assassin leader, and you call that a minor injury?" His tone was filled with disbelief, as if to say, "How could you possibly make such a light statement?"

"That girl Yu Lan is really..." Cen Jiexiao shook her head helplessly, with a hint of doting in her helplessness, as if she was tolerant of her sister. "She is good in everything, but she is too straightforward and can't keep secrets." She smiled helplessly, as if she was talking about something interesting and trying to change the subject.

"I'm fine, aren't I?" Cen Jiexiao said, and she deliberately turned around in a circle, trying to prove that she was really fine. She had a relaxed smile on her face, trying to make him believe that she was really fine. "Look, I'm alive and kicking, aren't I?"

Xia Chenghao felt even more distressed when he saw her pretending to be relaxed. He grabbed Cen Jiexiao's wrist and said in a domineering tone, "Don't be so stubborn. Let me see."

Cen Jiexiao tried to break free, but he held her tighter. His hand was like an iron clamp, firmly locking her wrist, making her unable to move. She had no choice but to let him examine her, but a subtle panic flashed in her clear eyes.