The Ice Crystal Palace fell silent for a moment.
Ling Xiao suddenly smiled.
"Okay."
He walked directly behind the Snow Empress and whispered into her ear.
"Xue'er."
The Snow Empress's body trembled slightly.
The breath stirred by Ling Xiao's words made her ears feel a little ticklish.
When Ling Xiao called her "Xue'er," her heart began pounding wildly.
Her face flushed even redder.
The Snow Empress's rosy cheeks were like the most vibrant flowers upon the Extreme North Icefield.
Looking at the Snow Empress's thoroughly reddened face, Ling Xiao felt an unprecedented sense of peace rise within him.
He suddenly thought of a question.
"Mom."
Ling Xiao asked tentatively.
"If I call you Xue'er... can I still call you Mom in the future?"
The Snow Empress was slightly stunned upon hearing this.
Then, she smiled radiantly.
That smile of the Snow Empress's was the most beautiful one Ling Xiao had ever seen in both his lives.
The coldness on her face completely melted away, and the corners of her lips curved into the gentlest smile.
At that moment, the Snow Empress also realized that Ling Xiao was still the same little one from before.
So what if he had grown up? So what if he had become stronger? So what if they were not related by blood?
Deep in his heart, he would always be that child who called out "Mom" the moment he opened his eyes.
"You can."
The Snow Empress's voice was gentle and loving.
"Whenever you want."
The Snow Empress paused slightly, and a rare trace of playfulness entered her tone.
"If you're embarrassed in the future..."
The Snow Empress's earlobes reddened even more.
"You can hide in my arms at night and call me Mom. No one will know."
The Ice Crystal Palace was filled