Han Shān's mother, Hán Bīng, sat on the best bench (forcibly relocated from the hunting demonstration area) with the posture of a queen surveying her conquered territory.
Her silver-white hair caught the light like frozen waterfalls, and her piercing blue eyes missed absolutely nothing.
Ruì Xuě was curled in her lap.
"I like you," Ruì Xuě announced, patting her cheek with a tiny paw.
Hán Bīng's expression softened by approximately 2%. For her, this was practically a beaming smile.
"You have good instincts, cub," she said, stroking his white fur. "You get that from me."
"From YOU?" Han Shān muttered from where he stood guard, strategically positioned between his mother and Bai Yue, like a very tall, very stressed buffer.
"Yes. From me." Hán Bīng didn't even look at him. "Your father had terrible instincts. Remember when he tried to fight that avalanche?"
"He won."
"He lost. The avalanche surrendered out of pity."
