Instinctively, Qi Xunyi hugged the little boy before he fell. Even though Xiao Tianyao hadn't lifted the kid too high up and it wouldn't have hurt the boy even if he fell, Senja couldn't help but reach out her hand spontaneously.

"Be careful." She blurted.

Upon seeing Senja reach out her hands toward him, the boy in Qi Xunyi's embrace did the same, only then Xiao Tianyao saw the bite mark on the back of Senja's hand.

"What's this?" He grabbed Senja's hand and took closer look. "Who bit you?"

When Lee heard Xiao Tianyao's question, he abruptly retracted his small hand, turned his body and hugged Qi Xunyi's neck instead, not trying to get closer to Senja anymore.

"Ah, this…" Senja drawled, not wanting to answer. By the looks of it, it seemed that her chance to bring Lee along was naught.

Regardless of Senja's reluctance to answer, Xiao Tianyao's eyes fell on the little boy who was trembling in Qi Xunyi's arm. Fortunately, he only glared at him and dragged Senja away from them leaving Qi Xunyi puzzled.

"Is he and Young Miss Senja…" Qi Xunyi didn't finish but his meaning was very clear.

"I guess so." Xiao Jun nodded.

"He is very belligerent."

"That is belligerent?" Xiao Jun looked at Qi Xunyi, amused. "You can consider it as nice; you haven't seen belligerence."

"That was nice?" Qi Xunyi exclaimed in disbelief. "I feel sorry for Young Miss Senja."

"He takes after our father." Xiao Jun shrugged nonchalantly. Although he talked casually, his gaze deepened as he saw Xiao Tianyao and Senja's retreating backs.

"He doesn't remember me." Qi Xunyi didn't seem to have come to terms with this yet.

He put down Lee and told him to go to the other children. He nodded obediently and walked away. After the little boy had left, the atmosphere around the two turned serious.

"That was a long time." Xiao Jun replied offhandedly.

"Even though I don't communicate with him as often as I do with you, it's impossible that he forgot me. The fall of the kingdom of Xinghe wasn't a small thing." Qi Xunyi paused then continued. "He saved me at that time. It doesn't make sense that he can't recall anything from that chaotic event."

"Something happened to him after that." Xiao Jun said gloomily and added. "Don't mention anything about Xinghe Kingdom to him. If he didn't recognize you turn a blind eye to it." Xiao Jun said sternly.

"But what happened to him?"

"Just do what I say." Xiao Jun spoke with finality, leaving no room for argument.

"Understood." Qi Xunyi yielded. Even so, he's still puzzled about what had happened to Xiao Tianyao.

***

When they reached the lodgment, it was only a few hours to morning.

Senja was tired, but she didn't feel sleepy. So, she tried to engage in a conversation with Xiao Tianyao while he treated her wounds. She had several minor bruises on her arms because she had been dragged by the man in dark green robe with a whip.

"Is he your big brother?" Senja remembered Xiao Jun. Both of them were definitely handsome. Xiao Jun had a warm aura while Xiao Tianyao was the arctic one.

"Yes."

"Then, are they your brother's friends? You don't know them, do you?"

"It seems so."

"But the man named Qi Xunyi knew you." Senja recalled how Qi Xunyi had prodded Xiao Tianyao because he didn't recognize him.

Xiao Tianyao put down the cotton and raised his head. "I am a prince, who doesn't know me?"

Senja's lips twitched, she forgot how arrogant this man was. "I think he knows you because of personal association."

"I've never met him." Xiao Tianyao declared.

"Then who are they?"

Strangely, Xiao Tianyao was quite chatty tonight and had actually answered all her questions. She'd be a fool if she didn't take this opportunity to know more about him.

"Greenhill people. I've never interacted with them since they lived in the mountain and rarely involved in conflicts. As it appears, they owe Xiao Jun."

Wait!

Senja's eyebrows furrowed as she sorted out the fact that had just dawned on her.