Back at Hailan No. 11, as soon as Caius returned, Yvlan came over curiously and asked, “Where did you disappear to last night? What did the client say?”

  “Nothing special. Just a passing powerhouse who heard tales of my glorious feats and wanted to spar,” Caius said nonchalantly.

  “Spar?” Yvlan raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing him with a hint of suspicion. “So, who won?”

  “Do you really need to ask?” Caius grinned smugly. “Look at me—unscathed. Who do you think won?”

  Yvlan chuckled and nodded, “Alright, alright, you’re the best~”

  “Heh, I’ve got even more impressive stories. Want to hear them, Boss Lady?” Caius suddenly leaned in with a mischievous grin. Their faces drew so close that their noses were almost touching.

  Yvlan’s cheeks flushed instantly. She quickly pushed him away. “I... I’m not interested!”

  With that, she turned around to busy herself with washing dishes—even though they were already clean enough to reflect light.

  Caius chuckled darkly and, while admiring Yvlan’s graceful figure, said, “Boss Lady, actually… I’m hurt.”

  “Huh?” Yvlan immediately turned around, concern flashing across her face. “Where are you hurt?”

  “Internal injuries.” Caius collapsed dramatically onto the table, feigning pain.

  Yvlan put down the dishes in a rush and came over. “Is it serious? I’ve got a med kit here, let me—”

  Before she could finish, Caius suddenly sat up and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then took a step back, smiling as he looked at her.

  Yvlan froze like she’d been struck by a paralysis spell, standing motionless, eyes wide in disbelief.

  Caius grinned. “There, internal injury healed.”

  Yvlan’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. Without saying a word, she spun around and stormed into the kitchen.

  Caius raised a brow.

  What kind of reaction was that? She’s not actually going to grab a knife, is she?

  Nah, can’t be…

  But when the aroma of freshly made food wafted through the tavern, Caius relaxed and broke into a grin.

  Sure enough, a moment later, the Boss Lady walked out with a lovingly prepared breakfast, her expression calm as ever, as though nothing had happened.

  She plopped the plate in front of Caius a bit roughly, and her eyes fixed on him like a hawk.

  Caius acted as if he didn’t notice a thing, beaming as he prepared to dig in.

  Just as he was about to start eating, Yvlan pulled the plate back.

  “Eh?” Caius looked at her in confusion, still holding his knife and fork.

  Yvlan crossed her arms and pursed her lips slightly. “That’s not for you. It’s for the little kitty. Go call her down to eat.”

  “Ehh—” Caius groaned, his face falling. “Boss Lady, I’m so hungry~ I need food~”

  Looking at this burly man shamelessly whining like a child, Yvlan couldn’t help but laugh. Eventually, she put the plate back in front of him.

  “Boss Lady, you’re the best!” Caius immediately lit up, grinning from ear to ear. Yvlan could only shake her head, exasperated.

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  But then Caius picked up his fork, speared a heart-shaped slice of beef, and held it out to Yvlan.

  Yvlan blinked in surprise and looked at him.

  Caius smiled gently. “You’ve never tasted your own lovingly made breakfast, have you? Come on, try it.”

  She glanced at the beef, hesitated, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned forward to take a bite.

  Just as she was about to sink her teeth in, Caius suddenly pulled the fork back.

  Yvlan bit air.

  Her brows twitched upward immediately.

  Caius said nothing, still holding the beef out, smiling slyly and raising his chin like he was issuing a challenge.

  Yvlan was provoked. She leaned in again, aiming for the piece of beef.

  But each time—just a little too late.

  Caius kept moving his hand back, and Yvlan kept leaning further over the bar, determined to claim the beef from his hand.

  “Just a little bit more,” Caius teased.

  Yvlan’s eyes were practically on fire, burning with indignation.

  One more time—if she missed again, she swore she’d teach this shameless brute a lesson with the frying pan!

  Yet once again, she came up just a hair’s breadth short.

  Her lips were a mere half-centimeter from the tender piece of beef, and yet it felt agonizingly out of reach.

  Leaning over the bar, she was practically hanging in the air, still vying with Caius in this ridiculous standoff.

  Yvlan was livid. This was pure teasing, and she was absolutely going to whack him with a frying pan for this!

  But just as she started to pull back to grab her weapon of vengeance, Caius’s face suddenly appeared right in front of hers.

  With her body leaning forward, she couldn’t straighten up fast enough.

  And Caius kissed her.

  Eyes wide, Yvlan froze again as Caius gently cupped her face, leaving her with no room to escape.

  Her gaze trembled, and then… she closed her eyes.

  It was still early morning, and the tavern was quiet, with only a few mercenaries passed out at their tables after drinking through the night.

  So, apart from one female staff member on duty, no one witnessed the scene that unfolded.

  Even she didn’t dare make a sound. Quietly shrinking into a corner, she covered her mouth, eyes filled with envy and awe.

  A moment passed. Their lips parted—

  A delicate, glistening strand of connection stretched between them.

  Caius twisted the piece of beef on his fork and brought it to Yvlan’s lips, grinning.

  “Taste good?”

  Yvlan looked at him, her luminous eyes shimmering like ripples on water. Then she slowly began to chew.

  “Delicious…”

  That’s what she said.

  But in truth, she had no idea whether the beef was tender, juicy, or flavorful.

  In that moment, her mind was consumed with the taste of his kiss.

  The two of them didn’t speak.

  Caius continued eating, while Yvlan slowly chewed her beef. It had long turned to a fine paste in her mouth, but she didn’t stop, seemingly lost in thought.

  After a while, Caius was full.

  He let out a satisfied burp and smiled at Yvlan. “I’m going to grab a nap.”

  He had spent the night forging, then gotten beaten up all through the following one. He definitely needed some rest.

  With his breathing technique, just a few hours of sleep until noon would be enough to fully recharge him.

  Yvlan seemed to snap back to reality, nodding quickly. “Ah… go ahead.”

  Caius chuckled, then reached out to gently rub her cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

  Yvlan didn’t flinch, nor did she resist. She just gazed at him quietly, her eyes brimming with unsaid words.

  “Stay beautiful,” Caius said with a smile before turning and heading upstairs.

  Yvlan watched his back until he disappeared up the stairway. Only then did she slowly raise a hand to her lips.

  And smiled.

  The nearby staff girl was stunned.

  At that moment, her boss lady looked softer—more tender—than ever before.

  Back in his room, Caius found the little catgirl sprawled all over the bed in a chaotic mess.

  Whenever he wasn’t around, her sleeping posture always got wild. She kicked off the blankets, exposing her belly and occasionally scratching herself.

  Caius went to take a shower first—

  After the night’s ordeal, his clothes were practically in tatters again.

  He was beginning to think he needed to make himself a set of durable, wear-resistant clothes… oh, and a pair of ultra-stretchy underwear too.

  By the time he came out, the little catgirl was awake.

  She’d clearly been stirred by the noise.

  “Big guy~”

  Seeing him approach, Kiki instantly stretched out her arms for a hug.

  Caius smiled and pulled her into his embrace, planting a kiss on her cheek.

  Kiki snuggled happily against his chest, clearly reluctant to let go.

  “I’m taking a nap—sleeping till noon.”

  He said as he gently rubbed her cat ears.

  Kiki purred and rubbed her cheek against his, her soft little face pressed to his.

  “I’ll keep you company, meow~”

  Clingy little catgirl~

  Caius chuckled and nodded. With her delicate waist in his arms, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

  Watching Caius’s sleeping face, Kiki beamed with joy.

  She really liked her big guy~

  The more she looked, the more she liked him, meow~

  So, while Caius was sound asleep, she planted soft kisses on his lips—one after another—

  Then, face full of bliss, she lay down on his chest and fell asleep again.

  Catfolk were naturally fond of sleep.

  And sleeping in the arms of someone they adored?

  That was Kiki’s favorite pastime.

  Her second favorite? Kisses.