Tang Wen gazed at Tang Wan, his expression unreadable. “Want to go out and play?” Tang Wan’s eyes instantly lit up.

“Can we?” Tang Wen nodded and rose to his feet. “Let’s go.” Tang Wan happily skipped to his side, grabbing his arm.

“Where are we going?” Tang Wen stated flatly, “To the Hope Galaxy.” Bran’s expression shifted abruptly behind them. Was he taking Tang Wan to a battlefield?

In his view, unless absolutely necessary, no one would willingly send an underage person into battle, and even upon reaching adulthood, their mental fortitude needed to reach a certain level. Tang Wan was a flower raised in a greenhouse; exposing her to the cruelty and terror of war now seemed too soon.

He watched Tang Wen’s retreating back, suddenly at a loss for words. Normally, he would defer entirely to Tang Wen’s judgment, but looking at Tang Wan’s guileless, simple smile today, his conviction wavered.

She only saw Tang Wen as her older brother. Tang Wen walked ahead, Tang Wan hopping beside him, chattering like a bird.

Bran watched the pair, his gaze shadowed, caught in an internal struggle. Just as they reached the landing platform, an airship swooped down, halting sharply in front of Tang Wen.

Tang Wan’s second older brother, Tang Jing, leaped from the airship, nodding to Tang Wen before addressing his sister. “Wan’er, time to go home.” Tang Wan ducked behind Tang Wen, poking her head out to stick her tongue at Tang Jing.

“No way! Brother Tang Wen said he’s taking me to play in the Hope Galaxy.” Tang Jing frowned.

“The Young Master is very busy; don’t bother him.” Tang Wan protested, “I’m not a bother, and Brother Tang Wen already promised me!” She turned to Tang Wen, her gaze full of pleading. “Brother Tang Wen, we agreed, right?” Tang Wen smiled gently.

“Wan’er, go home with your brother.” Tang Wan stared at Tang Wen in shock. “You lied to me!

You said you’d take me to the Hope Galaxy!” Tang Wen turned his face slightly away. “Your brother will worry.” “Waaaaah—liar, boo hoo—!” Tang Wan instantly burst into tears, running into Tang Jing’s arms.

“Brother, Tang Wen is a liar! He promised to take me out, how could he do that?” Tang Wen: “…” Rain falling from the sky and a girl determined to cry were both forces beyond control.

He looked helplessly at the starry expanse. “The Hope Galaxy isn't fun.

I’ll take you somewhere else next time, okay?” Bran, listening from behind, nearly dropped his jaw. The great deceiver Tang Wen was actually comforting a girl—how rare.

Tang Wan continued to sob intensely. Her crying was clear and loud, completely lacking any ladylike decorum.

Her hair was a mess, her eyes swollen, her nose wrinkled, her cheeks puffed out, and her mouth pouting, as if she wouldn't stop until Tang Wen was driven to bash his head against a wall. Tang Jing was helpless.

Finally, Tang Wen couldn't bear it any longer. He walked over, gently tousled her hair, and said, “There, there, stop crying.

I won’t break my promise again.” Tired from crying, Tang Wan buried her face in Tang Jing’s chest, her shoulders hitching. “No, I want to go now.” Tang Wen rubbed his forehead.

Suggesting the Hope Galaxy had been a momentary lapse in judgment. Once he came to his senses, he instantly realized it was wrong and rushed to have Tang Jing bring her back.

He hadn't anticipated her taking it so seriously. Moreover, he had zero experience comforting young girls and was completely flustered.

In the end, he had to concede. “Fine, I’ll take you, but not to the Hope Galaxy.” Tang Wan mumbled sulkily, “Then where?” Tang Wen frowned, thinking for a moment.

“To my moth—” Before he could finish the sentence, he noticed Bran’s gaze sharpen and quickly shut his mouth. The entertainment conglomerate managed by his mother was indeed unsuitable for a young girl like Tang Wan.

Now he was genuinely troubled. After agonizing for a long moment, he offered, “To Planet Katcher.

We can have Teacher Bran teach us piano…” “Hahaha, I was just kidding!” Tang Wan lifted her head from Tang Jing’s embrace and burst into laughter at Tang Wen. Tears were still drying on her face from the recent crying, but her anger had vanished, replaced by a broad smile.

“Hmph, I knew you didn't want to take me out. I’m going home with my brother.” Tang Wen looked at Tang Jing, bewildered.

Tang Jing chuckled softly. “Just say you were afraid of learning the piano; you didn't need such an excuse.” Tang Wan tossed her head back.

“Who’s afraid of the piano? I just wanted to go home!” Tang Jing shook his head, amused, bid farewell to Tang Wen, and escorted Tang Wan onto the airship, which began its ascent.

The little sister, Tang Wan, waved vigorously at Tang Wen from inside the airship’s transparent shield, mouthing the words, “I’ll find you again!” Silence finally returned to his ears. Bran walked to Tang Wen’s side, remarking contemplatively, “This girl’s moods shift faster than a Void Storm, here and gone without a trace.” He felt a pang of guilt for having misunderstood Tang Wen earlier.

Now, no matter what Tang Wen might be thinking, he certainly wouldn't harm a little girl. Bran’s resolve hardened; from this day forward, whatever Tang Wen said, he would firmly support!

Tang Wen watched the airship depart, suddenly feeling a profound sense of loss. Tang Jing could protect his little sister; what about him?

He turned, looking at Bran. Bran instinctively offered a gentle smile.

“Where do you want to go?” Tang Wen stepped forward twice, resting his chin on Bran’s shoulder and rubbing it affectionately. “Little Bran, I didn't really want to force Ziye.” Bran stood straighter.

“I understand.” He didn't even bother asking why; he trusted Tang Wen had his reasons. Tang Wen sighed faintly.

“I just don’t want her mixing with An Junlie. If she’s willing to return to the Tang Clan, I can protect her for a lifetime.” Bran: “I know.

You’ve worked hard.” Tang Wen seemed not to hear him, pausing before continuing, “But Wan’er said she doesn’t want to go back to her birth parents. Ziye probably doesn't either.

Little Bran, what should I do?” Bran soothed, “Just follow your heart.” Tang Wen paused for two seconds. “Forget it, I won’t pressure her.

Send her the design schematics for the Karcher Hotel. Don't tell her I told you to send them.” Bran chuckled—such a proud one!

Bran opened his optical computer, preparing to forward the hotel designs to Ziye, when Tang Wen’s private communication channel suddenly buzzed. It was Ziye calling.

Tang Wen’s body instantly stiffened. He masked his expression with practiced nonchalance, though his eyes betrayed intense nervousness.

His voice carried an unusual tension. “What is it?” Ziye’s voice was dry, devoid of inflection.

“Send me the design schematics. I’ll go to the Tang Clan.” Tang Wen felt an inexplicable clenching in his chest.

During the two seconds of his distraction, Bran sent over the hotel designs. Ziye didn't hear Tang Wen’s reply but saw the schematics and decisively accepted them.

She told Tang Wen, “We'll discuss what to do when the time comes.” Without waiting for a response, she abruptly terminated the call. Tang Wen stared blankly at the receiver, suddenly unable to comprehend how he and Ziye had reached this point.