The cave was silent.
Very silent.
Bai Xueyin sat on the bed surrounded by cubs while two terrifyingly handsome men stared at each other across the cave.
One was cold as ice.
The other looked cheerful on the surface.
But neither seemed willing to move first.
The red-haired young man finally coughed awkwardly.
“…Long time no see.”
Xue Linyuan’s silver eyes remained emotionless.
“I don’t remember inviting you.”
The smile on the red-haired man’s face twitched.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Meanwhile—
The little red panda cub was staring at the newcomer with wide eyes.
Then at himself.
Then back at the newcomer.
Then at himself again.
“…Mama.”
Bai Shuyi tugged her sleeve.
“He looks like me.”
The entire cave froze.
The newcomer blinked.
His gaze slowly lowered.
Toward the small cub sitting in Xueyin’s lap.
Golden eyes.
Fluffy red ears.
The exact same tail.
The exact same face.
For several seconds—
The cheerful young man completely stopped moving.
“…”
“…”
His basket dropped onto the floor.
Fruits rolled everywhere.
The little red panda cub tilted his head innocently.
The young man’s lips trembled.
“No way…”
Then he crouched instantly.
His golden eyes became brighter and brighter.
“NO WAY!”
The shout startled everyone.
Even Bai Xingyuan nearly fell off the bed.
The young man pointed toward the cub with a shaking finger.
“H-He…”
Then pointed at himself.
Then back at the cub.
“…HE LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE ME!”
The cave fell silent.
Xueyin suddenly had a very bad feeling.
The red-haired man slowly turned toward her.
His expression looked completely shocked.
“Little Snow Fox…”
His voice was trembling.
“Why is there a miniature version of me in your cave?”
Xueyin didn’t know how to answer that.
Because she barely understood the situation herself.
The red panda cub meanwhile climbed higher into her lap.
Then narrowed his eyes.
“…Who are you?”
The young man froze.
For some reason that question hurt.
A lot.
He slowly knelt before the bed.
Golden eyes becoming unexpectedly gentle.
“My name is Lin Huan.”
The cub blinked.
The name felt strangely familiar.
Lin Huan carefully smiled.
“I’m a red panda.”
The cub immediately looked at his own ears.
Then his own tail.
Then back at Lin Huan.
The realization slowly appeared on his little face.
“…Oh.”
Then he asked the most terrifying question possible.
“Are you my father?”
The cave became silent again.
Xueyin nearly choked.
Bai Qingluo covered her face.
Even Bai Chen looked interested.
Meanwhile—
Lin Huan completely froze.
His brain stopped functioning.
Father?
Father?!
The wandering red panda who spent years surviving alone.
The red panda who never thought about children.
The red panda who came searching for his missing mate.
Now suddenly had a son?
A son?!
His eyes instantly turned red.
Not from anger.
The little cub became alarmed.
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m not crying!”
“You are.”
“I’m not!”
“Your eyes are wet.”
Lin Huan immediately looked away.
Xue Linyuan watched the entire scene coldly.
Yet strangely—
He didn’t interrupt.
Because he understood.
Too well.
The shock.
The disbelief.
The overwhelming feeling of suddenly discovering a child carrying your blood.
Lin Huan took a deep breath.
Then looked carefully at Bai Shuyi again.
At the tiny cub who had grown up without him.
At the son he never knew existed.
His voice became quiet.
“…If you’ll allow it.”
The cub blinked.
“If Mother says okay.”
Instantly.
Every gaze turned toward Bai Xueyin.
Xueyin froze.
“Why are you all looking at me?!”
The cubs answered together.
“Because Mama decides.”
Lin Huan looked at her.
Xue Linyuan looked at her.
Even the twins looked at her.
The entire cave was waiting for her answer.
Outside—
Snow continued falling peacefully.
But none of them noticed.
High above the cave.
A black raven circled silently in the sky.
Golden eyes observing everything below.
Watching the reunion.
Watching Bai Xueyin.
And smiling.
Because another male had finally found her.
And he wouldn’t be far behind.