The Hall Master gently patted her shoulder, his tender laughter low, "You silly girl, you surely don't expect your father to follow you around all day and night, do you? If I did that, it would be quite inconvenient for you youngsters, wouldn't it?"
Sikou Yao pouted, grumbling, "But you've only just been with me for a few days and now you're leaving. Are you not concerned about me?"
The Hall Master found his precious daughter's clinginess both heartwarming and comforting, and it left him feeling joyful.
He soothed her patiently, his voice gentle, "Your father is just going away for a few days. As soon as I finish handling my business, I'll come find you, alright?"
Again, Sikou Yao asked, "How many days will that be? Tell me!"
The Hall Master replied, "About a week!"
Sikou Yao immediately bargained, "No way! Three days! You are to be back in our little home at the Imperial Palace in three days, do you hear?"
