The cave was quiet.
Too quiet.
Everyone was staring at Bai Xueyin.
Even the cubs.
Especially the cubs.
Xueyin suddenly felt enormous pressure.
“Why am I deciding this?” she complained.
Bai Qingluo blinked.
“Because you’re Mother.”
“…”
That answer somehow made sense.
Which was unfair.
Lin Huan looked unusually nervous.
Nothing like the cheerful red panda who had burst into the cave earlier.
His hands were clenched tightly.
Waiting.
Xueyin glanced at Bai Shuyi.
The little cub was trying very hard to act calm.
But his tail was wagging uncontrollably.
The sight nearly made her laugh.
In the end, she sighed.
“If Shuyi wants to know him…”
The cub’s eyes immediately sparkled.
“…then I won’t stop him.”
The moment those words fell—
Lin Huan looked like someone had handed him the entire world.
The red panda cub looked equally shocked.
Then—
A second later—
Both father and son smiled at the exact same time.
Identical smiles.
Identical eyes.
Even identical dimples.
The cave fell silent.
The resemblance was ridiculous.
Bai Yan pointed.
“They really are related.”
Bai Chen nodded.
“Very obvious.”
Lin Huan immediately moved closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
As if afraid the cub would disappear.
“Can I sit here?”
Bai Shuyi stared for a moment before nodding.
The next second—
Lin Huan sat beside the bed with the biggest grin imaginable.
The cub scooted closer.
Then closer.
Then closer.
Until they were almost shoulder to shoulder.
The sight strangely warmed Xueyin’s heart.
Yet at the same time—
A strange ache appeared. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Because these reunions felt important.
Important in a way she couldn’t understand.
Meanwhile…
Xue Linyuan stood near the entrance.
Silent.
Watching.
His expression remained calm.
But his silver eyes occasionally drifted toward Xueyin.
As if confirming she was still there.
Still real.
Still alive.
The prince looked away first.
Because every time he saw her confused gaze—
The reality hurt.
She remembered nothing.
Not him.
Not their past.
Not the countless nights they spent together.
Nothing.
Suddenly—
Lin Huan froze.
His smile disappeared.
His nose twitched.
Once.
Twice.
Then his entire body became rigid.
Xueyin blinked.
“What happened?”
The red panda’s expression became strange.
Very strange.
Then he slowly turned toward her.
“…Little Snow Fox.”
The nickname sounded familiar somehow.
Xueyin frowned.
“What?”
Lin Huan looked genuinely confused.
Then shocked.
Then horrified.
“Wait.”
His eyes widened.
“No way.”
“What?”
“No way.”
“WHAT?”
The red panda stood abruptly.
Golden eyes staring at her.
Then at the cubs.
Then at her again.
“Don’t tell me…”
His voice cracked.
“You don’t remember me either?”
The cave became silent.
Xueyin opened her mouth.
Then opened it again.
“…Should I?”
Lin Huan looked like he had been struck by lightning.
The cubs exchanged glances.
Xue Linyuan closed his eyes briefly.
Because he had already experienced this.
That moment when hope shattered.
Lin Huan took two steps backward.
His face pale.
“You forgot too?”
The words sounded small.
Much smaller than before.
Xueyin suddenly felt guilty again.
Even though she had done nothing wrong.
“I’m sorry…”
The red panda laughed weakly.
But there was no joy in it.
“So that’s why.”
His gaze lowered.
“That’s why you never came back.”
The cave became quiet once more.
Xueyin’s heart skipped.
Came back?
Just like Xue Linyuan.
The same words.
The same pain.
As if both of them had been waiting for her.
For years.
Then suddenly—
A black feather drifted into the cave.
Everyone froze.
The feather landed softly on the floor.
Silence.
Then a low amused voice echoed from outside.
“Interesting.”
A chuckle followed.
Warm.
Dangerous.
Teasing.
“I leave for a few years and suddenly everyone is having family reunions without me.”
The moment the voice sounded—
Xue Linyuan’s expression turned cold.
Lin Huan’s smile vanished.
Both males immediately looked toward the entrance.
As if an extremely troublesome person had arrived.
Outside the cave.
A tall figure stepped from the falling snow.
Black feathers swirled around him.
Golden eyes gleamed with amusement.
And those eyes—
Locked directly onto Bai Xueyin.
The raven beast had arrived.