Sky Curtain: Random stalls with rhinoceros horns, shaking the entire dynasty.

Jiang Feng spoke very softly, trying to soothe her uneasy emotions.

Little Sizi sobbed as she reached out her small hand and tightly gripped Jiang Feng's clothes, as if it were the only piece of driftwood she could hold onto on the vast ocean.

"Little Nangjun... am I never going to see Father and Mother again? They'll definitely cry if they can't find me..."

Jiang Feng looked into the little girl's wide, fearful eyes and sighed inwardly.

He knew that talking to a child about time travel and the cruel reality of not being able to go back would only make her more devastated.

Jiang Feng's brain raced, and he decided to fabricate a kind and beautiful lie.

Jiang Feng suddenly stopped patting her back, lowered his voice mysteriously, and winked at Xiao Sizi.

"Little Sisi, have you forgotten what your brother does?"

Jiang Feng pointed to the dark night sky outside the window.

"Brother can use magic! That long, water-spitting little snake, and this little hammer that blows hot air, weren't they all made by brother using magic?"

Little Sizi stopped sobbing, her tear-streaked eyelashes fluttered, and she nodded somewhat blankly.

"Hmm... Little Pouch-kun knows magic..."

"Yes."

Jiang Feng smiled and pointed to the night sky outside the window, where a few stars were faintly twinkling.

"So, while you were taking a bath, your brother used some super powerful time-traveling magic to let your father and mother know you're safe!"

"Really?!"

Little Sizi's eyes lit up instantly, and she didn't even bother to wipe away her tears.

"Did you really tell your parents?"

"Of course it's true."

Jiang Feng was talking nonsense with a straight face, but his tone was full of certainty.

"My brother told them that Little Sizi is now in a very safe place with lots and lots of delicious food."

"Your father and mother were overjoyed when they heard this. They told your brother to let you stay here obediently for a few days, eat your fill, and sleep soundly."

To make the lie more believable, Jiang Feng stood up, walked to the window, and pointed to the brightest star in the sky.

"Look, those stars are your parents' eyes. Although they can't be with you now, they are always watching over you from heaven."

"If you sleep well, they will smile at you from heaven; if you keep crying, they will be sad from heaven too."

Following Jiang Feng's finger, Xiao Sizi looked out the window at the lone, twinkling star.

In the innocent world of a four- or five-year-old girl, she believed Jiang Feng's words without a doubt.

"Really...Are Father and Mother watching over us from heaven..."

Little Sizi murmured to herself, her fear and loneliness instantly dispelled by the sense of security brought by this "magic".

"Then I won't cry anymore! I'm going to sleep peacefully!"

Little Sizi hurriedly wiped away her tears with her little hands, forced a bright smile, and waved vigorously at the star outside the window.

"Dad! Mom! Sizi is doing very well here! Sizi is all chubby and healthy, and I'm even wearing a bunny outfit! Don't worry about Sizi, I'm going to sleep soon!"

At this very moment, inside the Taiji Palace of the Tang Dynasty.

In the deathly silent square, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun looked up at their daughter waving and loudly announcing her safety to the window in the sky, listening to Jiang Feng's extremely gentle "white lie".

Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth tightly to stop herself from crying out, but tears flowed freely like a river bursting its banks.

"What a kind person... This young master Jiang Feng is truly an incredibly kind person..."

Empress Zhangsun wept uncontrollably.

"He not only protected the little girl, but also so carefully cherished her childlike innocence. Such kindness is something my Li family... my Tang Dynasty, can never repay in our lifetimes!"

Li Shimin threw down the Emperor's Sword.

This most esteemed emperor of the Tang Dynasty straightened his clothes and then did something that shocked the entire world.

Li Shimin faced the sky, bent his knees, and actually knelt down in the square of Taiji Palace!

"His Majesty!"

The eunuchs and palace maids around them were terrified.

But Li Shimin remained unmoved. He raised his head, his gaze traversing a thousand years of time and space, as if meeting the gaze of Jiang Feng in the sky.

He slammed his head heavily against the bluestone slab.

"Brother Jiang Feng!"

Li Shimin's voice was hoarse, yet it conveyed a resounding determination and boundless gratitude.

"I am Emperor Li Shimin of the Great Tang Dynasty! Today, I am deeply indebted to you! Please comfort my beloved daughter and protect her."

"From this day forward, you are my sworn brother, Li Shimin! If one day we can cross the river of time and space, I will surely repay this kindness with the entire treasury of the Tang Dynasty!"

Modern single apartment.

Jiang Feng naturally couldn't hear Li Shimin's earth-shattering oath.

He walked back to the bedside, looked at Xiao Sizi who had calmed down, smiled and covered her with the blanket that had slipped off, tucking the corner of the blanket in.

"Alright, your parents have seen how well-behaved you are. Now, close your eyes and get ready to sleep."

Jiang Feng said softly.

Little Sizi obediently closed her big eyes, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under the orange night light.

That long-lost sense of security returned to her, and coupled with the day's running around and excitement, fatigue quickly washed over her like a tide.

Jiang Feng sat on the floor, leaning against the edge of the bed, gently patting the blanket with his hand, humming an unknown soft tune.

Soon, the sound of the little girl's even and long breathing came from the bed.

Just as Jiang Feng thought she was completely asleep and was about to stop what he was doing...

Little Sizi suddenly smacked her lips, her brows furrowed slightly, and she mumbled something in her sleep.

"Little Nangjun... Meatballs are so good... Tomorrow... Tomorrow I want to eat those... crunchy potato beans..."

Hearing this dream-talking about food, Jiang Feng's tense nerves finally relaxed completely, and he couldn't help but laugh silently.

"This little foodie really doesn't want to suffer any loss."

Jiang Feng stood up and turned off the bedside nightlight.

......

The next morning

Jiang Feng rolled over on the floor and slowly opened his eyes.

He glanced habitually at the clock on the wall; it was 6:30 in the morning.

For a freshman, this time should be spent soundly asleep in their dorm room.

But ever since he awakened the system, he has had to get up early to buy goods in order to run his nightly stall business.

Jiang Feng quietly sat up from the floor mat and turned to look at the single bed.

Little Sizi was sleeping in a wild, starfish-like position, occupying the center of the entire bed.

The pink and white bunny onesie pajamas rolled up a bit as she turned over, revealing her fair and tender little belly.

One of her little feet was still sticking out of the blanket, her little mouth was slightly open, and there was even a trace of drool hanging from the corner of her mouth. I wonder what delicious thing she was eating in her dream.

Seeing her unguarded and adorable appearance, Jiang Feng couldn't help but smile.

He stepped forward and gently pinched the little girl's soft cheeks.

"Lazybones, time to get up! The sun's already shining on your bottom."