The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 302 Lost, Lost

Cen Jiexiao stood frozen in place, like a statue without a soul. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving two cold streaks. The warm light in the study, in her eyes, felt like a sharp knife, slicing at her heart. She clutched the corner of her clothes tightly, her knuckles white and protruding, as if she wanted to crush all the grief and grievance she felt within her fingertips.

She wanted to rush in and question Chen Zigui, question that woman, and ask them why they had deceived her and trampled on her feelings. She wanted to cry hysterically and vent the pain and despair that had accumulated in her heart.

But in the end, she did nothing. She just turned around silently and disappeared into the night.

She walked aimlessly, her feet feeling light and airy, as if she were treading on clouds, yet also as if she were falling into an abyss. The bustling streets and the clamoring crowds blurred into a phantasmal patchwork of light and shadow, like a bizarre dream. She could no longer hear the cries of vendors or the laughter of passersby, only the sound of her own heartbreaking, beat after beat, clear and heavy.

She didn't know how long she had been walking, nor where she was. The world seemed to have disappeared from her sight, leaving only endless darkness and emptiness. She only stumbled to a stop when her legs gave out and could no longer support the weight of her body.

She looked around blankly, and when familiar scenery came into view, she realized that she had returned to the villa where she was temporarily staying.

Yu Lan and Xiao Man had already been waiting at the door. Their anxious expressions instantly turned into worry the moment they saw Cen Jie Xiao. They could tell at a glance that something was wrong with Cen Jie Xiao. Her face was pale, her eyes were empty, and she looked like she had lost all her life.

"Dean, what happened to you? Why did you come back so late? We were all so worried!" Yu Lan rushed forward and supported Cen Jiexiao's shaky body. Her voice was full of concern and anxiety.

Xiaoman also hurried forward and asked with concern: "Teacher, has something happened? Why do you look so bad?" There was a hint of trembling in her tone, and she was afraid to hear bad news.

Cen Jiexiao forced a smile, which was uglier than crying. It was like a flower blooming on broken glass, sad and fragile.

"It's okay, I just felt bad, so I went out for a walk." Her voice was hoarse and weak, as if it was squeezed out from the depths of her throat.

"Teacher, don't hide it from us. It's obvious that something is wrong with you!" Xiaoman saw through Cen Jiexiao's disguise and pretense at a glance. She looked at Cen Jiexiao with heartache, and her eyes became red.

"If you have anything that makes you unhappy, just tell us and we'll find a solution together!" Yu Lan also advised, her eyes full of worry and concern.

Cen Jiexiao shook her head, fighting back tears and sobs, not letting them burst forth. Her heart was already numb with pain.

"It's really nothing, I just want to be alone for some time." Cen Jiexiao's voice was low and hoarse, as if she was talking to herself.

Although Yulan and Xiaoman were worried, they could only stay by her side silently, offering her silent comfort and support. They knew that what Cen Jiexiao needed at the moment was time and space to digest all this suddenness.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window onto Cen Jiexiao's face, but it failed to dispel the gloom that had settled on her. Her eyelids felt heavy as if they were filled with lead, and her whole body ached and felt weak, as if she had been on a long journey. Last night's dream was still clearly lingering in her mind. Those broken images, those desperate cries, were like sharp thorns piercing her heart, making it difficult for her to breathe. She struggled to get up and wash and dress in front of the bronze mirror. The person in the mirror was pale, with dark circles under her eyes, and looked haggard. She tried to force a smile, but it was uglier than crying. She couldn't hide her haggardness no matter what she did.

Taking a deep breath, Cen Jiexiao changed into her court attire, and, forcing herself to step out of her room, she had walked the palace path countless times before, but today, every step seemed especially heavy.

Arriving at the Empress Dowager's chamber, Cen Jiexiao bowed and greeted her. Empress Dowager Li was reclining on a soft couch, holding a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, her eyes closed. Hearing Cen Jiexiao's voice, she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on Cen Jiexiao's face, her brows furrowed slightly.

"President Cen, you don't look very well today. Have you not had enough rest recently?" Empress Dowager Li's voice was filled with concern, but also with majesty.

"Your Majesty, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired because I've been busy with work lately." Cen Jiexiao explained quickly, trying to make her voice sound calmer.

"I see that you are pale and have dark circles under your eyes. It's not just fatigue." Empress Dowager Li put down the Buddhist beads in her hand and stared at Cen Jiexiao sharply.

"Young man, please take care of yourself and don't let me down."

"Your humble servant will remember the Empress Dowager's teachings." Cen Jiexiao lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Empress Dowager Li's eyes.

She knew that Empress Dowager Li was meticulous and perceptive, and that her little tricks could not be hidden from her.

Empress Dowager Li did not ask any further questions, but simply ordered the maid to serve tea. Cen Jiexiao silently took the teacup and took a sip, but found the tea bitter and hard to swallow.

After returning from the palace, Cen Jiexiao felt exhausted, both physically and mentally. She dragged herself back to her room, closed the door, and sealed herself off in this small space. She walked to the window and stared blankly out, her eyes empty and her thoughts racing.

Yu Lan and Xiao Man had been keeping an eye on Cen Jie Xiao's movements. Seeing that she had been locked up in her room since returning from the palace, they were very worried. They knocked gently on the door, but there was no response. They knocked a few more times, but still no response.

"Dean, are you in there?" Yu Lan asked softly.

The room remained silent.

"Teacher, if you hear it, please respond. We are very worried about you." Xiaoman also said with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

After a long time, Cen Jiexiao's low voice came from the room: "I'm fine, you guys go and do your work first, I want to be alone and quiet."

Yu Lan and Xiao Man exchanged a glance, both seeing worry in each other's eyes. They knew that Sister Cen was worried, but since she didn't want to talk about it, they didn't want to force it.

"Dean, if you have something that makes you unhappy, you must tell us and don't keep it in your heart." Yu Lan said with concern.

"Yes, teacher, if you are not well, how can we be well?" Xiaoman also said.

Cen Jiexiao did not respond, so Yu Lan and Xiao Man had to leave silently.

The next day, Yu Lan and Xiao Man returned to Cen Jie Xiao's room and found her still locked up. They were worried that she would get sick if she continued like this, so they decided to take her out for a walk.

They knocked on Cen Jiexiao's door and saw her sitting alone by the window in a daze, her eyes empty, as if she had lost her soul.