The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 95 Meeting Xia Chenghao Again

Late at night, Cen Jiexiao sat at her desk, by the flickering candlelight, compiling a list of materials needed for tomorrow's project. The occasional chirping of insects outside the window accentuated the stillness of the room. She rubbed her aching temples, and the scenes from Qingfeng Ferry that day returned to her: sweating workers, steaming green bean soup, and... that unsettling gaze.

"Who's watching me from behind? Is the Queen Mother up to something again?" Cen Jiexiao muttered to herself, feeling like something was about to happen. Lately, she'd been toiling day and night to complete the Qingfeng Ferry as quickly as possible, devoting almost all her energy to the floating bridge project. She hadn't given any thought to the insidious menaces lurking in the shadows.

"Meow~meow~"

Suddenly, a faint meowing sound came from outside the door, interrupting Cen Jiexiao's thoughts. Puzzled, she walked to the door and gently pushed it open. She saw a snow-white kitten curled up at the door, its green eyes gleaming faintly in the night.

"Where did the cat come from?" Cen Jiexiao looked around, but there was no one in sight. It was strange to say, she had been at Zhaoyin Academy for so long, but this was the first time she had seen a cat, let alone a cat this size, completely white and obviously of a noble breed.

Could it be a gift from Senior Brother? Cen Jiexiao's mind flashed back to Senior Brother's handsome but serious and stern face, and she shuddered. Impossible, absolutely impossible! Given Senior Brother's stubborn mind, if he really wanted to give her something, he would have told her in advance in a serious manner. How could he play such a "surprise"?

"Little one, what's your name? Are you lost? Come, let me hold you." Sister Cen squatted down, stretched out her hand to the kitten, and asked softly. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of intimacy with this kitten that suddenly appeared.

The kitten seemed to sense Cen Jiexiao's kindness. It slowly stood up, walked gracefully to her side, rubbed its furry head gently against her palm, and made a comfortable purring sound.

"So good, so good." Cen Jiexiao carefully held the kitten in her arms, gently stroking its soft fur, feeling warm in her heart.

“You like it?”

Suddenly, a deep, magnetic voice came from behind her. Cen Jiexiao trembled with fear and almost screamed out loud. She turned around abruptly, and when she saw who it was, her heart suddenly rose to her throat.

This person was none other than Xia Chenghao, whom Sister Cen Xiao wanted so badly to punch. Xia Chenghao was wearing a black robe and standing a few steps behind her. In the dim candlelight, she couldn't see the expression on his face, but the chill emanating from his body made Sister Cen Xiao shudder.

"Xia...you...why are you here?" Cen Jiexiao asked stutteringly in fear, subconsciously holding the kitten in her arms tighter.

Xia Chenghao didn't answer her question. He just walked straight up to her, his eyes falling on the white cat in her arms. A hint of an ambiguous smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. "I bought this cat from a livestock dealer when I was in Xixiang. When I first saw it, I thought it looked quite like you."

Cen Jiexiao was confused and frowned slightly. Just as she was about to ask, Xia Chenghao continued, "So I brought it to you on my mission to the Great Zhou this time. It's my apology for what happened last time."

"Apologize?" Cen Jiexiao couldn't believe her ears. This guy still had the nerve to bring up what happened last time? She was immediately furious. She stood up suddenly and glared at Xia Chenghao with wide eyes. "Mr. Xia, do you know what you did back then? That was kidnapping, that's a crime. I can report you to the authorities. A few years in prison would be a light punishment."

Xia Chenghao remained calm, as if Cen Jiexiao's words had no effect on him at all. He chuckled, a hint of joking in his tone, "Dean Cen is a smart man. If he really wants to arrest me, I'm sure that other than venting his anger, Dean Cen's other benefits will probably go to waste."

"Benefits?" Cen Jiexiao was almost laughing at Xia Chenghao's shamelessness. "There's already a rift between you and me, and we no longer trust each other. I'm afraid, Mr. Xia, I'm not worthy of it."

The smile on Xia Chenghao's face gradually faded. He looked at Cen Jiexiao with a serious look, and there was a hint of subtle anger in his tone: "Oh! Well, give the cat back to me."

Seeing Xia Chenghao's sudden change of expression, Cen Jiexiao was shocked, but she was not one to give in easily. She stiffened her neck and said, "Hey, why are you like this? Besides, you said it was an apology, why are you going back on your word?"

"You are the dean of a college, how can you go back on your word? You were the first one to say that you were not worthy of this position." Xia Chenghao pressed on step by step, aggressively.

"No, let's deal with this separately." Cen Jiexiao felt a little guilty, but she still forced herself not to give in. "By the way, you came with the tribute delegation from Xixiang this time, so you better be careful. This time, it's my Zhaoyin Academy working with the Imitation Japanese Camp that is responsible for the security of the East China Sea Sacrifice Ceremony. Don't play any tricks, or you'll be merciless. Don't even give me a kitten, even if you give me a tiger, I'll catch you."

Obviously, until now, Sister Cen Xiao still doesn't know that Xia Chenghao is the Prince of Xixiang, and she is afraid that he regards him as an alternative speculator.

"Oh, what did you just say?" Cen Jiexiao tilted her head, her eyes wide open, and asked with a hint of doubt, "This kitten looks like me? How?" She lowered her head and gently stroked the furry kitten in her arms, and asked softly, "Mimi, do you think we look alike?"

The kitten rubbed itself comfortably in her arms and made a soft meow, as if responding to her words.

"Hahaha, they are quite similar." Xia Chenghao looked at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but chuckle.

Cen Jiexiao was confused and asked, "How are they similar? Why didn't I see it?"

"They're similar in every way," Xia Chenghao said with a smile on his face, staring at Cen Jiexiao intently, "especially those eyes, clear and bright, yet with a hint of cunning."

Cen Jiexiao felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by him. She subconsciously reached out and touched her cheek, pretending to be calm and said, "Stop it, who are you calling cunning? I'm famous for being gentle and kind."

"Really?" Xia Chenghao raised his eyebrows noncommittally, a hint of ridicule in his tone, "Then who was the first to send people to follow whom last time? Your group of guards are not simple. This time when we meet, you are threatening to hand me over to the authorities?"

"That's you..." Sister Cen Xiao was suddenly speechless, her pretty face flushed slightly. She wanted to refute, but didn't know how to start.

Seeing that she was speechless, Xia Chenghao said softly: "Okay, I won't tease you anymore. I said you two look alike because..." He paused deliberately, observing Cen Jiexiao's reaction.

Cen Jiexiao really took the bait and asked curiously, "Why?"

Xia Chenghao looked at her and said word by word: "Because, you are all the same, you are likable."

Cen Jiexiao was stunned for a moment, her heart beating uncontrollably. These words, like a stone, stirred ripples in the tranquil lake of her heart. She raised her head and met Xia Chenghao's deep eyes, momentarily lost in thought.

Xia Chenghao stretched out his hand and wanted to touch the kitten's head. Sister Cen Xiao thought Xia Chenghao was going to touch her face, so she instinctively dodged to the side.

This dodge was not a big deal, but the kitten in her arms seemed to be frightened and suddenly jumped out of Cen Jiexiao's arms, arched its back, and made a "hissing" warning sound at Xia Chenghao.

"You beast, how dare you be so presumptuous!" Xia Chenghao's face darkened, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes, and he raised his hand, as if to hit the kitten.

"No!" Seeing this, Cen Jiexiao rushed forward without thinking and grabbed Xia Chenghao's wrist.

Xia Chenghao pulled back with all his strength, only to see Sister Cen Xiao fall heavily into Xia Chenghao's arms. This scene looked particularly special under the silver light of the bright moon.

"You..." Cen Jiexiao raised her head and met Xia Chenghao's eyes as deep as a pool, her heart trembling suddenly.