7:00 PM, back at Hailan No. 11.

  Yvlan was resting. When she heard the door open, she lifted her head and opened her eyes—only to see Caius entering.

  This time, however, there were still some faint bruises on his face.

  He had originally been beaten black and blue, but the potion had healed most of it—about seventy to eighty percent. A few traces of bruising remained.

  Yvlan looked at him with a touch of concern.

  But Caius simply grinned, utterly unfazed. “That guy was pretty ruthless today, I’ll give him that. But he still didn’t manage to beat me.”

  “Maybe… you shouldn’t take on these jobs next time,” Yvlan said softly, reaching out to gently touch his face.

  Caius leaned into her touch, rubbing his cheek against her palm. “Why not make some money while I’m at it? My hands have been itching for action anyway. Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious.”

  “As long as there’s a loving breakfast waiting, I could take down two more like him!”

  Yvlan finally smiled at his confident demeanor, casting him a sultry glance. “Just wait.”

  Moments later, breakfast was served, brimming with warmth and care. Caius happily dug in.

  While eating, he speared a piece of beef and held it up to Yvlan’s lips.

  She glanced around—the other mercenaries were still asleep. Then she parted her lips slightly.

  This time, Caius didn’t play any tricks. The juicy, flavorful beef burst in her mouth, and a smile slowly formed on Yvlan’s face.

  “Are you taking a job today? There are a few big ones,” she asked.

  “Not for now. I’ve got something of my own to do next. I’ll take more work once I’m free again,” Caius replied.

  Yvlan nodded, not pressing him further.

  After finishing his meal, Caius went upstairs to rest.

  He needed a proper sleep to recover. Then, in the afternoon, he’d start forging.

  As for the blueprint… he’d skip it for now. It was all in his head anyway.

  Entering the room, Caius spotted Kiki sleeping soundly and cutely.

  After taking a shower, he climbed into bed and naturally pulled Kiki into his arms.

  The little Catgirl was already awake, but she didn’t open her eyes. Instead, she nestled deeper into Caius’s embrace.

  He kissed the corner of her lips, then lowered his head to nuzzle her cheek.

  “Little Kitty, I’m injured.”

  “Huh?” Kiki’s eyes shot open, full of concern. She looked at Caius worriedly.

  “Does it hurt, meow?”

  “It hurts. Hurts so bad I almost cried,” Caius said, wrapping his arms around Kiki’s slender waist like a child seeking comfort.

  “I need some comfort right now.”

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  Upon hearing this, Kiki immediately hugged his head, her small hands gently caressing his hair.

  Now it was Caius lying in Kiki’s embrace.

  But because of their size difference, only his head fit in her arms.

  “Is this better, meow?” Kiki asked softly.

  “Better. But if you kiss me a few times, I’ll heal faster,” Caius grinned.

  Kiki immediately leaned down and kissed him on the lips.

  “How about now, meow?”

  “One more.”

  “Mua~”

  “How about now, meow?”

  “Still a bit more.”

  “Mua~ Mua~”

  “Hehe, much better. Thanks.” Caius snuggled against her belly, making the little Catgirl giggle uncontrollably.

  But as she laughed, she noticed Caius had already closed his eyes and was snoring softly.

  He had fallen asleep.

  Kiki gazed at him, her eyes soft. Her small hand gently brushed through his hair, her touch slow and delicate.

  As long as her big guy needed her, this little Catgirl would give him everything she could.

  Because she really, really liked him.

  The big guy who had saved her—twice.

  …

  When Caius opened his eyes again, it was already 4:00 PM.

  This nap had been longer than usual.

  As he woke, he felt a slight tickle on his face. Turning his head, he saw Kiki dabbing something on his cheek with a cotton swab.

  Caius blinked. “What’s that?”

  “Medicine, meow~” Kiki said. “The Boss Lady heard you were hurt, so she gave me this ointment. I’m putting it on for you, meow~”

  Caius touched his face. It felt cool and refreshing—not bad at all.

  “Feeling better, meow?” Kiki asked.

  “Yeah, a bit,” Caius replied with a smile.

  Whether it was the medicine or her gentle care, Caius suddenly felt like staying in bed a little longer.

  So he said, “This pillow’s a bit low… can I lie on your lap?”

  Kiki’s eyes lit up. She quickly took off her shoes, knelt on the bed, and patted her thighs. “Come on up, meow!”

  Caius laid down with a look of utter contentment.

  “Am I heavy?” he asked.

  “Nope! I’ve been training, meow~” Kiki said, lifting her arms as if to show off muscles that were barely there.

  Caius burst into laughter, then gazed at her little face.

  “Little Kitty, it’s really good to have you around.”

  Kiki beamed sweetly. “Really, meow?”

  “Mhm.” Caius nodded.

  Perhaps the little catgirl couldn’t help much in battle.

  But truthfully, in both his past and current life, he never really needed help in combat. He was used to fighting alone.

  What he truly needed was something else—this lap pillow offered without hesitation, someone there when he woke up, someone to dress his wounds.

  He had seen war. He had faced death.

  And because of that, he longed for the gentleness of the world—something to soothe the heart that had been cloaked in gunpowder smoke.

  Without it, he feared he’d become a cold-blooded monster.

  In his past life, he drowned himself in cigarettes, liquor, and the deafening chaos of wasteland bars.

  But in this life, he had a little catgirl. Those vices were no longer necessities.

  It was thanks to her that he could maintain a healthy state of mind. Her presence was invaluable.

  Maybe it was this sense of calm, maybe it was the peace of this moment that moved him.

  He gently raised his hand.

  The little catgirl immediately hugged his face, leaning down so his hand could cup her soft cheeks.

  “One day, you’ve got to give me a litter of kittens,” he said with a grin.

  Kiki’s ears perked straight up, her tail swished behind her, and her cheeks turned bright red. But instead of turning away in embarrassment, she smiled back at him.

  “I will, meow!”

  The Catfolk were simple in their emotions.

  She didn’t understand Caius’s interactions with the Boss Lady or the teasing with the beautiful instructor.

  But this—this line from Caius—she understood perfectly.

  It was the most beautiful love confession she had ever heard.

  Her heart was racing, and she couldn’t hold back. She leaned down, her lithe waist allowing her to reach Caius as he lay with his head in her lap, and kissed his lips.

  “Big guy, I really like you, meow~”

  “I like you too.”

  “Heehee, big guy~ big guy~” Kiki giggled, hugging his face, rubbing her cheek against him. Even her tail curled forward, wrapping around Caius’s pinky finger.

  Caius looked at her and smiled, then sat up and opened his arms. Kiki leapt into them instantly, snuggling close as he held her.

  Caius leaned back against the headboard, holding his little cat tightly, his large hand gently caressing her waist.

  Such a slender waist—he couldn’t get enough of it.

  “Little cat.”

  “What is it, meow?”

  “Could you accept… that I might love others too?” Caius asked.

  He knew he wasn’t the faithful type. So he wanted to hear her answer.

  “Will big guy still love me?” Kiki asked softly.

  “I will!” Caius nodded firmly.

  “Then it’s okay, meow~” Kiki smiled sweetly. “We Catfolk can have many wives too, meow.”

  “The more capable a man is, the more wives he can have. I have three mamas, meow~”

  In that moment, Caius felt a wave of emotion surge through him.

  The one in his arms—she was an angel.

  An angel with cat ears.