“What are you doing?” someone suddenly shouted.

I looked up and saw that Feng Tingxie had returned. Just seeing his face made me angry. Handsome, yes, but always stone-faced without a hint of warmth. Who wants to face a sculpture every day?

I hugged Yan Shao’s arm even tighter and said, “Are you blind? We’re warming each other.”

He seemed truly angry. He pulled me over with one hand and furiously said, “Don’t forget, you’re going to be married.”

“Thanks for the reminder!” I broke free and sneered, “If I remember correctly, I’m not marrying you.”

I didn’t say aloud: Why are you acting like you caught us in bed together?

His face suddenly turned pale, and he pressed his lips together without saying a word.

I turned around and called for Yan Shao to get in the carriage.

The carriage rocked gently, and I soon felt drowsy, my eyelids growing heavy, impossible to keep open.

When I woke up, I immediately felt refreshed. I rubbed my eyes and discovered I wasn’t in the carriage but in a room. Lifting the blanket, I nearly cried out in surprise because there was suddenly an extra arm across me, clearly not mine.

“You’re awake,” Yan Shao sat up, his voice raspy, sounding even more hoarse.

“Our relationship doesn’t seem close enough to share a bed, does it?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation, I’ll kick you off.”

He smiled. “Then I’d better get off myself.”

I exploded, “You’re trying to slip away after taking advantage of me?”

“Heavens! Who knows who took advantage of whom.” He laughed, “How do you feel?”

I twisted my neck and moved around, immediately feeling soreness throughout my body. I silently thought, not good.

“You didn’t do anything to me, did you?”

“Of course I did,” he answered matter-of-factly.

“What?” I pointed at him in anger, “I considered you a friend, yet you committed such an unconscionable act! So unethical! You’re shameless, despicable, vulgar…”

“I only helped expel the cold from your body. How is that despicable or vulgar?”

“Just that?”

He asked, “What did you want me to do?”

“Oh, I see,” he put on an expression of sudden understanding, his tone already carrying a hint of laughter, “You wanted me to do *that* to you?”

“Shut up!” I snapped.

“What did you say?” he exclaimed softly, his expression suddenly turning cold and severe, his gaze like the icy gleam on a blade’s edge, with an inexplicable murderous aura.

I was startled and couldn’t help shivering.

He looked at me for a while, his expression softening, and said, “I’ll go brew some medicine.”

I watched his back as he left, still feeling uneasy. How could one person have such contrasting temperaments? Changing instantly. If he was pretending, his acting skills were too good, even better than Andy Lau. But he didn’t seem to be pretending at all, especially in that moment just now. It was as if he was a revered, high-ranking ruler who had never imagined, and no one had ever dared, to say the words “shut up” to him.

I knew that aura wasn’t fabricated. I knew it.

Outside, daylight brightened and the air was fresh. I yawned and walked outside, immediately spotting Feng Tingxie.

With a black face, he seemed about to look for me and bluntly asked, “Where’s that doctor you invited?”

“He’s brewing medicine. Why?”

“He didn’t sleep in his room last night.” He said, staring straight at me.

“He slept with me last night.”

He looked at me in disbelief and after a long while said, “Miss Rong, do you even know what kind of person Chu Tianyao is? If he discovers this matter, not only will our lives be in danger, but even the entire Yu Chi Mountain Manor…”

“He was just treating my illness,” I interrupted him.

“Just treating?” He raised his voice suspiciously.

I replied irritably, “If you don’t believe me, you can come sleep with us tonight too.”

He laughed sarcastically, “Miss Rong, you truly surprised me.”

I quickly replied, “You’re not the first person to say that to me, so I’ll take it as a compliment!”

“By the way, where are we?”

“Qingshui Town. We need to get going soon. Come down and eat something.”

The inn had few guests, with only rice porridge and steamed buns on the table. The hygiene conditions were disappointing. I had no appetite, so I went to the back kitchen to find Yan Shao.

The backyard was cluttered with miscellaneous items. He was crouched beside a makeshift stove built of bricks, frantically fanning the flames. Smoke and ash flew everywhere while the medicine pot hissed from the heat. Wisps of steam rose and curled around his head. His profile showed two faint streaks of soot, his brows slightly furrowed, and his lips set in a stubborn expression, clearly unfamiliar with brewing medicine.

For some reason, an indescribable feeling suddenly welled up inside me. This person, a stranger who wouldn’t even reveal his real name, was willing to brew medicine for me in this dirty, messy corner.

He suddenly glanced at me and snickered, “Touched?”

I told the truth: “A little.”

He stared at me, feigning anger: “This is my first time brewing medicine.”

I walked over and reached out to wipe the soot from his face, smiling, “I can tell.”

He instinctively dodged and looked at me with slight surprise. My five fingers froze in mid-air, and I felt somewhat embarrassed—sharing a bed was for treatment, but this gesture was indeed too intimate.

He suddenly smiled again, his eyes bright and captivating. “The medicine is ready.”

He poured the medicine into a bowl and handed it to me, then went inside to wash up. I sat down in the main hall, waited for the medicine to cool slightly, and drank it in one go.

Feng Tingxie was eating a steamed bun and said, “Just drinking medicine isn’t enough. Eat something.”

I frowned and said, “You can eat this?”

Without looking up, he said, “If you’ve ever experienced hunger, you’d know there’s nothing in this world that can’t be eaten.”

I was stunned. From what he said, it seemed he had suffered greatly.

“He’s right.” Yan Shao appeared at the right moment, putting a steamed bun in my bowl and commanded, “Finish it.”

Feng Tingxie looked at him in surprise, seemingly not expecting agreement.

I took a bite of the steamed bun and stared at the two men before me. In terms of appearance alone, Feng Tingxie was undoubtedly more suited to the title “Yan Shao” than Yan Shao himself. But Yan Shao possessed a special quality—the ability to remain calm even if a mountain collapsed before him, giving people a sense of stability and strength. It seemed that no matter how great the problem, once it came before him, it would cease to be a problem. Between the two, I certainly preferred the latter. That was something young people lacked, requiring years of accumulation and the polishing of time to carve out that composure and ease, without a trace of harshness, as gentle as jade.

Lost in my shallow admiration, I suddenly noticed both of them looking up at me.

Yan Shao lightly tapped the edge of the bowl, pretending to be angry: “What are you thinking about? We’re both waiting for you. Hurry up and eat.”

I gave an awkward laugh, finished the bun in a few bites, and said, “Let’s go.”

For several days afterward, I would wake up to find an extra person in my bed. Since he didn’t do anything inappropriate to me, I didn’t mind, just treating him as a free bed-warmer. Feng Tingxie still had some objections, but since my physical condition had indeed improved greatly, he couldn’t say much more.

Only one thing puzzled me immensely: Yan Shao’s medical skills.

Every day I slept in the same bed with him, but I didn’t know how he was treating my illness. The medicine he brewed followed Physician Li’s prescription. After drinking it each night, I would become drowsy. When I opened my eyes, I would see him lying beside me, as if his method of treatment was simply holding me while I slept. Surprisingly, my body was genuinely getting better—my limbs had warmth, my appetite improved, and I seemed much stronger than before.

One morning when I woke up, he was still asleep. I watched him quietly and suddenly noticed he had many more wrinkles, even appearing somewhat aged.

I was startled and inexplicably felt a pang of sympathy.

I was shocked by my thought. Although I had confusedly traveled to the Ming Dynasty, I hadn’t lost my mind. I knew nothing about his real name, background, history, age, or marital status—the most basic information. He wasn’t a scholar, nor a doctor, and certainly not an altruistic person like Lei Feng from ancient times. He was by no means a simple person. I didn’t know his true purpose in helping me, but wasn’t I using him too? Had I ever told him the truth? As the saying goes, never develop feelings. I was being too emotionally vulnerable.

I couldn’t help but laugh self-mockingly.

“What are you smiling about so foolishly this early morning?”

He had awakened at some point and was looking at me with smiling eyes. Those eyes were as deep as the ocean, revealing a hint of firmness from their black and clear depths, truly soul-stirring.

I reached out to touch his face. “Strange, you suddenly have more wrinkles.”

His expression changed, and he stared at me, pressing his lips together without speaking. I feared seeing him like this the most; my hand trembled and slipped away. He promptly caught it, his gaze softening as he sighed deeply and said, “I’ve grown old.”

This was the second time he mentioned being old. I wanted to ask his age but didn’t dare. For some reason, I suddenly became cautious, afraid of offending him.

His eyes seemed capable of seeing through people’s hearts. He suddenly smiled and asked, “Did I frighten you?”

I shook my head.

He reached out to smooth my hair and said softly, “It’s been many years since I felt as relaxed as I do now.”

My mind went blank, not understanding why he was suddenly saying these things to me.

He continued, “So, you must live well…” He paused, his voice deepening as he slowly said, “Because I don’t intend to let you go.”

What did that mean? Everything he said today was completely puzzling.

“Alright, let’s get up. Otherwise, that young Master Feng will start nagging again.”

Before he finished speaking, there was a knock at the door, and Feng Tingxie called from outside: “The medicine is already brewed. How long are you two going to sleep?”

The tone carried obvious hostility.

I immediately jumped out of bed to get dressed. Although this young Master Feng didn’t nag like a mother hen, his gaze was very sharp—being watched by him was like having a knife held to one’s throat, quite deadly.

That evening, we entered Shandong territory and stayed in a small town. The town wasn’t large but lively enough. After eating and drinking my fill, my feet itched with the desire to sneak out for a stroll. Fearing their opposition, I went to bed early, pretending to sleep while waiting for an opportunity to slip away.

Who would have thought that while pretending to sleep, I accidentally fell asleep for real? By the time I woke up, bright moonlight was streaming through the window, the streets were completely dark, and a few distant dog barks emphasized the night’s tranquility.

I daydreamed for a while, then suddenly realized that Yan Shao hadn’t come to sleep with me that night. Had my body completely recovered? Though I hate to admit it, the empty pillow beside me felt strangely unfamiliar.

I opened the door and went out. Just as I reached his window, I heard a woman’s voice.

“You needn’t do this.”

“Is that something you should say?” Yan Shao’s voice had no warmth, not even the slightest change in tone—a manner I had never witnessed before, creating an indescribable strange feeling.

Silence fell within the room.

I pressed against the wall, not daring to breathe.

“Yes, I spoke out of turn, but…” The woman’s voice suddenly choked with emotion. “But I don’t understand… Why are you doing this for her? Is it worth it? Just one word from you, and I could…”

Yan Shao coldly interrupted her: “You need only mind your own business.”

The room fell silent once more.

I couldn’t resist reaching out to poke a hole in the window paper—as soon as my finger touched it, I felt a cold energy seeping through my fingertip, traveling into my bones. My entire arm felt icy, and I couldn’t help crying out, stepping back.

At that moment, the door suddenly opened.

“So late, do you need something from me?”

Yan Shao stood in the doorway wearing a white robe, his face hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable.

I pushed past him and entered the room, looking around to see the bed in disarray and a bucket steaming with hot water, but no sign of anyone else.

He said lazily, “What are you looking for?”

I turned to glare at him and only then noticed that under his thin robe, he was completely naked.

I immediately gasped, “What were you two doing just now?”

He smiled, “I was about to bathe. Would you like to join me?”

I glared furiously, “Where’s that woman?”

“What woman?”

“Stop pretending. I heard a woman’s voice.”

He remained expressionless and said flatly, “You heard wrong.”

“Don’t try to fool me.”

He looked at me with deep eyes, suddenly laughing lightly, “Even if there was a woman in my room, that would be normal. Why are you angry?”

I fumed, “In the middle of the night, a man and woman alone in a room, and you dare say it’s normal?”

He smiled innocently, “Well, I’ve been sleeping in the same bed with you, and nothing happened, right?”

I was suddenly speechless.

He looked at me and said with a grin, “The water’s getting cold. Do you want to bathe together or not?”

“Shameless!” I cursed and stormed out, slamming the door.

He burst into laughter behind me, seeming happier than ever before.

Early the next morning, I unprecedentedly woke up early and personally brought water to Yan Shao’s room to serve him. I thought he would at least say thank you and offer some explanation for last night, but he simply accepted my service as if it were his due. Despite my indirect probing, he maintained that he didn’t understand, as if the woman’s voice I heard last night was merely my imagination, which infuriated me.

After a night of weighing the pros and cons, I magnanimously decided to forgive him, provided he said something conciliatory or offered even a slight explanation. After all, I still needed his help to implement my escape plan, so it wouldn’t be wise to strain our relationship. Besides, I wasn’t his wife—even if he was visiting prostitutes, it could be considered a normal physiological need—though from their conversation, the woman seemed more like an old flame he had neglected for some time.

You see how understanding and considerate I was toward him, yet he maintained the principle of “lie to the end, never admit anything.” Fine, you won’t tell me now, but someday your fox tail will show.

Feng Tingxie’s nose was sharper than a dog’s, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. He held back all morning, but by lunchtime, he finally couldn’t contain himself.

“What’s going on between you two?”

I tapped my chopsticks lightly and sneered, “I’m surprised to see you’re such a gossip.”

“Gossip?” The boy looked completely innocent, clearly unfamiliar with the term.

I suddenly became curious whether Feng Tingxie had ever ordered “takeout” in the middle of the night. He appeared to be in his early twenties, the age when blood runs hot and hormones are active.

“Little Xie, I want to ask you something. Answer honestly.”

He pulled back, straightened his posture, and said formally, “That depends on what it is.”

“Personal matters.”

“That depends on whether I can tell you.”

I was exasperated and waved dismissively, “Forget it then.”

After thinking for a moment, he finally said, “Go ahead, ask. What is it?”

I looked at him sideways, “You promise you’ll answer honestly?”

He nodded.

I immediately leaned in closer, “Are you married?”

He hadn’t expected this question, and his face reddened, “No.”

“How many women have you had?”

His face turned red, and his beautiful obsidian eyes stared directly at me.

I reminded him, “Answer honestly.”

After a long silence, he finally grunted, “None.”

“Not even one?” I exclaimed, “My goodness! So you’re still a virgin?”

Perhaps my voice was too loud, as several gazes from around us turned our way.

He glared at me fiercely, his face changing from red to white and then to green.

I lowered my voice and continued, “Well then…”

He suddenly became irritable, “What else do you want to ask?”

I smiled apologetically, “One last question. After I ask it, I’ll tell you what happened last night.”

He said coldly, “I no longer want to know about what happens between you two.”

I said helplessly, “But I suddenly really want to tell you.”

His face flushed red as he lowered his head and sat silently, eyes fixed downward. It was rare to see him blush, and I was about to tease him further when I suddenly glimpsed someone entering the door and froze.

She was truly a beauty—bright eyes, red lips, dressed in pure white, carrying a long sword, spirited and valiant. This must be the legendary female knight of the martial world, and I couldn’t help but admire her.

As soon as this woman entered, someone from a corner immediately stood up and said, “Xin’er, you’ve finally arrived.”

I turned to look and saw a middle-aged man in his forties, with ordinary features and no distinctive characteristics—the type who would blend into a crowd. But this young woman addressed him as “Master Lu” and seemed quite respectful.

“Xin’er, where’s your master?”

“Master couldn’t wait and already went to Jinan. He instructed me to meet with you, Uncle Master.” The woman’s manner and tone were quite anxious as she asked, “Uncle Master, what’s the situation at Biyufeng? Has Shaoci been injured?”

Shaoci? I was shocked. Could it be Lin Shaoci?

Feng Tingxie also changed expression, turning his head slightly.

“Shen Zuitain led people to attack Biyufeng. Elder Lin and Miss Wanci have both gone missing, and there’s still no news about Young Master Lin.”

“What about Manor Lord Rong? Has she returned?”

“Some say she’s already dead.”

The woman’s eyes widened, and she blurted out, “That’s impossible, isn’t it?”

“There are many rumors in the martial world now. I’m not clear on the specifics either,” the man surnamed Lu said as he stood up. “Your master is too impatient. He’s no match for Shen Zuitain. We must hurry to Jinan immediately.”

Shen Zuitain attacked Biyufeng, and Elder Lin and Miss Wanci were missing.

So Biyufeng must be the headquarters of Yu Chi Mountain Manor, and that’s why Lin Shaoci was left alone.

As I was lost in thought, Feng Tingxie patted my hand and looked at me with concern, saying, “Don’t worry!”

I suddenly realized that I was Rong Shukuang, the Manor Lord of Yu Chi Mountain Manor, and I couldn’t just sit by. I must go to Jinan.

I cleared my throat and said, “Listen, whether you agree or not, I need to go to Jinan first.”

I looked directly into his eyes, pretending to be righteously indignant, and spoke in a tone that brooked no refusal, then got up to find Yan Shao.

Where had this guy disappeared to? He couldn’t be found when needed most.

After searching the back courtyard for a while without finding anyone, I was about to leave when I suddenly heard coughing from behind the back wall.

“Please forgive this subordinate for speaking out of turn.” A man’s voice said cautiously, “The situation is entirely under our control. You don’t need to do this.”

Hmm? Those words sound familiar, and so does the voice.

The coughing grew more intense.

“You don’t understand, Fengming. You still don’t understand. When you reach my age…” Yan Shao’s voice had a trace of bitterness. He paused and then said, “You should go back now.”

“This subordinate takes his leave.”

There seemed to be a gust of wind in the air, the sunlight flickered briefly, and the courtyard returned to silence, made even more apparent in contrast to the noise from the front hall.

He sighed softly and said, “Come out.”

I emerged to see his face unusually pale, though his eyes showed a warm smile.

I looked at him steadily and said, “We’re not going to Cangzhou anymore. We’ll part ways here.”

He smiled without asking why and simply nodded.

I widened my eyes, “You’re not even going to ask why?”

He sighed lightly, “I already know.”

“You know?” I exclaimed, “How do you know?”

“Is there anything in this martial world that I don’t know?” He sighed with a somewhat weak smile, “But don’t worry, Lin Shaoci is smarter than you imagine.”

I was stunned for a moment, then said, “I’m surprised. You say we’re friends, yet you show no intention of helping at all.”

He remained composed, smiling, “But when you said ‘part ways,’ I wasn’t surprised at all.”

He looked at me quietly, his gaze seeming to penetrate my heart.

“Because you know this matter is serious, the journey ahead is dangerous, and life or death is uncertain. You don’t want me to accompany you to possible death.”

I felt both moved and amazed. We had only known each other for just over ten days, yet his understanding of me surpassed that of longtime friends. He was truly formidable.

I said, “That’s right. Though I don’t know who you are, at least my body has fully recovered. We’re just chance acquaintances; you owe me nothing. I have no reason to ask you to risk your life with me.”

He kept smiling: “Shukuang, you may seem worldly-wise, but you’re still too naive. This martial world is more terrible than you imagine. This time, I can’t accompany you. Be careful.”

As he spoke, he suddenly began coughing again and quickly covered his mouth with a silk handkerchief.

“What’s wrong?” I reached out to support him, but he avoided my touch.

“I caught a chill last night. Your body has just recovered; I don’t want to infect you.” His voice sounded muffled through the handkerchief.

“It’s getting late. You should set off soon.”

“Then…” I felt somewhat reluctant to leave, “When will we meet again?”

He smiled, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you go.”

When I went outside, Feng Tingxie was already waiting by the carriage. “Said goodbye to your physician?”

I glared at him, “Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?”

He snorted, “No need to eavesdrop to know, though I am somewhat surprised.”

“When did you learn to predict the future?”

He looked offended, “He helped you expel the cold poison, depleting his internal energy severely. It’s been obvious these past few days that he’s struggling internally, but you didn’t notice. I thought he cared so deeply for you, being so thorough and attentive, but surprisingly, he’s letting you face danger alone.”

“Internal energy depletion?” I was stunned.

He gave me a withering look, “Sometimes you’re too clever, and other times, utterly foolish. If he hadn’t used his internal energy to help you expel the poison every night, could you have recovered so quickly? Do you think Shen Zuitain’s ‘Profound Ice Cold Jade Palm’ is a joke? Even Divine Physician Li Xiuran said your body would need three months of quiet recovery, yet he cured you in just seven short days.”

I was dumbfounded. No wonder he suddenly aged so much. Could his constant coughing be not from catching a chill?

Feng Tingxie suddenly frowned again, almost mumbling to himself, “Strange, this man’s martial arts are unfathomably deep, yet I’ve never heard of anyone called ‘Yan Shao’ in the martial world.”

“Hey, who exactly is he? How did you meet him?”

This young man was speaking to me more and more disrespectfully.

I sighed, “I don’t know either. I met him in a brothel.”

“A brothel?” His face reddened, “I didn’t expect you to have such tastes.”

Lin Shaoci once said the same thing to me.

“Enough idle talk. Let’s go to Jinan immediately,” I said. “The carriage is too slow; let’s ride horses directly.”

He hesitated, “I’m worried about your health. What if…”

“It’s fine. But I’ll have to ride with you on one horse.”

“Why?” He looked surprised.

“Because I don’t know how to ride a horse, brother.”

He was quite shocked and stammered, “So memory loss is this severe.”

Feng Tingxie seemed even more eager than me to reach Jinan, riding non-stop and eating and drinking on horseback without a moment’s delay. I couldn’t help but praise him, “I didn’t expect that under your cold exterior, you have a chivalrous heart.”

He was startled, then coldly replied, “Sorry to disappoint you. I’m only responsible for your safety; I don’t concern myself with anything else.”

I laughed, “I know you have some conscience and wouldn’t stand by while someone dies.”

He said seriously, “I refuse to get involved in martial world disputes.”

I countered, “If Yu Chi Mountain Manor is destroyed, why should I still help you steal that list?”

“Rest assured, Young Master Lin is not that incompetent. And you will steal that list,” he said impassively. “Because at this point, Yu-Chi Mountain Manor can even less afford to offend Chu Tianyao.”

I was momentarily speechless, and after a while said, “We’re at least partners. Are you going to just stand by and watch?”

He suddenly smiled. “You’re worrying unnecessarily. Young Master Lin has excellent relationships and many lovers, each with a significant backgrounds. They certainly won’t stand idly by, just like that Miss Liu Xin’er. She not only came herself but also brought her master, Daoist Qingxuan.”

“Lin Shaoci has many lovers?” I felt my eyeballs were about to pop out.

“Just wait and see,” his smile grew more enigmatic. “Within two days, every attractive woman in the martial world will gather in Jinan. What concerns me is you, Miss Rong… hehe, they won’t be easily dismissed with mere words, and now you’ve lost all your martial arts skills…”

I was completely confused by him. That iceberg Lin Shaoci was the martial world’s heartthrob?

Feng Tingxie saw that I remained silent and asked with a smile, “Scared?”

“Scared my ass,” I rolled my eyes at him. “The one who should be worried is you. You must protect my safety.”

He smiled without replying.

I suddenly remembered something, “By the way, you mentioned the Biyufeng incident before. What exactly happened?”

His expression changed, and he tightly shut his mouth.

I tried to persuade him, “Look, I’ve lost my memory. If you don’t tell me about previous events, when we reach Jinan, if something happens or I encounter enemies, you’ll be in trouble too.”

I waited for a moment with no response and said resignedly, “Alright, if you won’t talk about Biyufeng, at least tell me about myself.”

He was silent for a moment, then asked, “What about you?”

“Rumors about me in the martial world, how good my martial arts were, what weapons I used, my ranking in the weapons list, and so on. Just tell me anything.”

He suddenly laughed out loud, “Ranking in the weapons list? You have quite an imagination.”

Ugh. Having thoroughly read Louis Cha’s “The First Dagger of Wind and Cloud,” I naturally knew about Hundred-Victories Sheng’s weapons list.

“Regarding your martial arts, there are indeed many rumors in the martial world…” He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully. “If there truly were a martial arts ranking, your previous skills would place you in the top five.”

“I was that skilled?” I leaned forward, staring at his profile, my mouth hanging open in disbelief.

His ears turned red, though I couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment or suppressed laughter.

“Yes, you were very skilled,” he continued. “You didn’t usually carry weapons, but they say you were most proficient with the knife. Five years ago, at the Manor Lord election assembly of Yu Chi Mountain Manor, you defeated Young Master Lin’s Pursuing Wind Sword with a Trimming Cloud Knife and took the position of Manor Lord.”

“Huh? Manor Lords are elected?”

“Yes. Yu Chi Mountain Manor was established 163 years ago, and every Manor Lord has been elected.”

OMG! Rong Shukuang was this impressive! Wait, something’s not right.

“If I was that skilled, why was I injured by Shen Zuitain?”

He frowned, “That incident shocked the entire martial world. No one knows what happened that night at Tiger Hill in Suzhou. Do you truly not remember anything?”

As he spoke, he turned to look at me, seemingly hopeful that I would suddenly regain my memory to satisfy his curiosity.

I glared at him, “Nonsense. If I could remember, why would I be asking you?”