The forest was silent.
Bai Xueyin stood facing the snow fox tribe.
Her thoughts were in complete disorder.
Her…
father?
No.
The original Bai Xueyin’s father.
She had inherited this body.
But she hadn’t inherited its memories.
Or its feelings.
How was she supposed to face him?
Elder Han seemed to understand her hesitation.
His expression became gentler.
“Young Miss…”
“The Clan Leader isn’t asking you to return immediately.”
“He only wishes to see you.”
“He has waited for this day for many years.”
Xueyin lowered her eyes.
Many years…
Another person who had been waiting.
Behind her, the cubs quietly gathered around.
Bai Shuyi tugged on her sleeve.
“Mama?”
“Are we going somewhere?”
Before Xueyin could answer—
A calm voice spoke.
“You should go.”
Everyone turned.
Xue Linyuan had stepped forward.
Lin Huan and Wu Ye remained silent beside him.
None of them objected.
Xueyin looked at them in surprise.
“You think I should?”
Wu Ye nodded.
“He’s your father.”
Then he corrected himself quietly.
“…Whether you remember him or not.”
Lin Huan smiled gently.
“Besides…”
“If anyone deserves answers…”
“It’s him.”
Xueyin remained silent.
She wasn’t afraid of danger. This story is hosted at g.com.
She was afraid of hurting someone.
What if the Clan Leader looked at her with love…
And she couldn’t return it?
Almost as if reading her thoughts—
Elder Han smiled sadly.
“Young Miss.”
“The Clan Leader already knows.”
Xueyin blinked.
“…Knows what?”
“That you’ve lost your memories.”
Silence.
Elder Han continued softly.
“He said…”
> “As long as my daughter is alive…”
> “She doesn’t have to remember me.”
> “I’ll simply get to know her again.”
The words struck Xueyin’s heart.
She lowered her head.
For some reason…
Her eyes became warm.
Bai Qingluo quietly slipped her hand into Xueyin’s.
“We’ll go with you, Mother.”
The other cubs immediately nodded.
“We’ll protect Mama!”
“Together!”
“No one bullies Mother!”
Even little Wu Yin puffed out her chest proudly.
Lin Huan laughed.
“I think they’re planning to protect the entire mountain.”
For the first time that morning—
Xueyin smiled genuinely.
She looked at Elder Han.
“…How far is the Snow Fox Clan?”
The elder’s face brightened.
“Half a day’s journey.”
Then his gaze shifted toward the three males.
His smile disappeared.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Elder Han coughed politely.
“The Clan Leader requests…”
“…that only his daughter and grandchildren enter the Snow Fox Clan.”
Lin Huan blinked.
“What?”
Wu Ye raised an eyebrow.
“So we’re not invited.”
Xue Linyuan remained expressionless.
But the temperature around him seemed to drop slightly.
Elder Han hurriedly explained.
“It isn’t disrespect.”
“The Clan Leader simply wishes to spend time alone with his daughter first.”
The three males exchanged glances.
Then…
Surprisingly…
They all nodded.
“Fair enough,” Lin Huan said.
Wu Ye smiled.
“A father deserves that much.”
Xue Linyuan simply replied,
“We’ll wait.”
Xueyin let out a small breath of relief.
She had expected another argument.
Instead…
The three of them quietly accepted it.
As everyone began preparing for the journey…
No one noticed—
High on a distant cliff…
The mysterious silver-eyed guardian was watching once again.
His gaze lingered on the departing group.
Then he whispered quietly to himself,
“…Uncle Bai…”
“I hope…
this time…”
“…you can protect her.”
Before disappearing into the morning mist.