The cave entrance darkened.
Snowflakes drifted lazily through the air.
A tall man stepped inside as if he owned the place.
Black hair.
Golden eyes.
A faint smile that looked playful and dangerous at the same time.
Several black feathers floated around him before disappearing into shadows.
The moment he entered—
Bai Qingluo immediately moved closer to Bai Xueyin.
The fox cub’s instincts screamed danger.
Not physical danger.
The kind that smiled while causing trouble.
The raven beast’s golden eyes swept across the cave.
First Xue Linyuan.
Then Lin Huan.
Then the cubs.
Then finally—
Bai Xueyin.
The teasing smile softened slightly.
“…Snow Fox.”
For some reason, the way he said those words made Xueyin’s chest tighten.
A strange feeling.
Familiar.
Yet distant.
Like hearing a song she almost remembered.
The raven seemed to notice her reaction.
His eyes brightened slightly.
Then—
“Who are you?” Xueyin asked.
The smile immediately froze.
Silence.
Lin Huan covered his face.
Xue Linyuan looked away.
Neither seemed surprised.
The raven blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then pointed at himself.
“Me?”
Xueyin nodded.
The raven laughed.
Then slowly stopped laughing.
“…You’re serious.”
Nobody answered.
Because everyone already knew the answer.
The raven stared at her.
Then suddenly looked toward the ceiling.
As if questioning fate itself.
“Wonderful.”
His smile returned.
But this time it looked strained.
“Apparently I wasn’t important enough to remember either.”
The cubs watched curiously.
Even Bai Xingyuan stopped clinging for a moment.
The raven sighed dramatically.
Then walked forward.
Every step carried effortless confidence.
Until he stopped in front of the bed.
“My name is Wu Ye.”
His golden eyes never left her face.
“I knew you.”
Past tense.
Not know.
Knew.
Something about that hurt more.
Xueyin lowered her gaze.
“I’m sorry.”
Wu Ye stared for a moment.
Then suddenly flicked her forehead.
“Ow!”
Xueyin glared.
The raven laughed.
“There.”
“What was that for?”
“Because every time I see you, you’re apologizing.”
The cave became quiet.
Wu Ye’s smile faded slightly.
“You always apologize when something isn’t your fault.”
The words escaped him naturally.
Without thinking.
Like a habit.
The moment he said them—
His expression changed.
A very old one.
One only he should remember.
The cave suddenly felt smaller.
For a brief moment—
Neither spoke.
Then Bai Shuyi broke the tension.
“Who are you to Mama?”
The question echoed through the cave.
Everyone froze.
Even Wu Ye.
The cub stared innocently.
Waiting.
The raven slowly smiled.
A dangerous smile.
“Good question.”
Then he looked directly at Xueyin.
“As it happens…”
Before he could finish—
A small black blur suddenly launched itself from outside.
“BIG BROTHER!”
A tiny raven girl crashed directly into Wu Ye.
The impact nearly knocked him over.
The entire cave stared.
The little raven girl looked about five years old.
Black wings.
Golden eyes.
Soft black hair.
And—
She looked exactly like a miniature version of Wu Ye.
The cave became silent.
Very silent.
The little girl finally noticed everyone staring.
Then her gaze landed on Bai Xueyin.
She froze.
Her golden eyes widened.
The color instantly filled with tears.
“…Mother?”
The word fell softly into the silent cave.
And every single person stopped breathing.
Including Wu Ye.
Because he never told his daughter who her mother was.
Yet the little raven recognized Bai Xueyin immediately.