Chapter 187: The Ramen And The Kiss!

Neve needed to get two Bond Points immediately, or he was going to lose his mind.

He doubted he could survive another hour without ramen. Especially not after the system’s glowing interface had tantalized him with those crisp, high-definition pictures. The springy yellow noodles curled in a glossy, steaming broth; the thick slice of tender pork belly glistening with rendered fat; the soft-boiled egg cut perfectly in half. His mouth watered so intensely it was almost painful, and his empty stomach gave a miserable, rumbling growl.

Groaning, Neve finally let go of his red hair, letting his hands flop heavily to his sides. He slumped forward, resting his chin toward his chest as he panted slowly, trying to talk his erratic pulse down.

Heavy footsteps thundered outside, and a second later, Cael burst through the cave entrance. The leopard beastman’s chest was heaving, his golden eyes wide as if he had sprinted across the territory the instant Neve’s voice echoed out.

"What’s wrong?" Cael demanded urgently, his sharp gaze instantly scanning every corner of the stone room. His ears were pinned back, sensitive to any unseen threat.

"Why are you here?" Neve pouted, his brow furrowing into a tight frown.

Cael stepped deeper into the cave, muscles tense, still looking for whatever predator or disaster had caused Neve’s scream. But the cave was quiet. The air was cool and still. There was no threat. No danger. Just Neve sitting there, looking thoroughly aggrieved.

He furrowed his brows, secretly wondering why he has screamed like that. He was so scared that something had happened to Neve..

"I heard you shout. What’s wrong? Are you hurt?" Cael asked, his tense posture easing into pure worry as he closed the distance between them.

Neve’s frown deepened. The phantom smell of rich broth danced mockingly in his head, making the reality of his empty stomach ten times worse. Well, his stomach wasn’t entirely empty.

If he had those two stupid points, he’d already be halfway through a piping-hot bowl, slurping up noodles and sighing in blissful satisfaction. He’d be full and content. He wouldn’t be sitting on a cold stone ledge feeling miserable.

A sudden knot tightened in his chest, and his eyes burned with hot, prickling tears. He didn’t even know what happening to him.

Was it the unfulfilled craving? Or just these godforsaken pregnancy hormones? During his first month, he hadn’t felt this volatile. Now, creeping up on the end of his second month, his emotions were a chaotic pendulum... swinging from fiery irritation to deep despair in a heartbeat.

"Don’t come here, just go!" Neve snapped, hastily scrubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Neve?" Cael took another cautious step forward, bowing his head to catch Neve’s downcast gaze, his voice thick with anxiety. "If something is wrong, you know you can tell me. Are you in pain or is...?" He reached out a broad hand, hesitation in his movement. "Talk to me. Please."

"Just... go," Neve muttered, turning his face sharply toward the cave wall.

Cael let out a heavy, helpless sigh. Unwilling to press further when Neve was clearly distressed, he offered a low rumble, turned on his heel, and walked away slowly to give him space to process whatever he was feeling.

"What?" Neve suddenly yelled.

Cael froze mid-stride, flinching at the sudden spike in volume. When he turned back, fat tears were running down Neve’s cheeks, streaming down his face like rivers.

"Neve?" Cael called, immediately walking back to his side.

"You’re actually just going to leave?" Neve cried, his voice breaking with pathetic emotion. "You don’t love me anymore? You’re just going to leave me alone?"

"But... you just told me to leave," Cael pointed out, tilting his head as if trying to prove a very reasonable point. "You said I should go. That’s exactly what you had said. So why are you changing your mind?"

"Me? When?!" Neve’s cry got louder, more desperate. "When did I say you should go?"

"Right now. You said I should just go. Don’t you remember?"

"Uwahhhhh!"

Neve buried his face in his hands, crying harder now, his emotions completely overwhelming him.

"Oh goodness," Cael said, dropping down beside Neve immediately. His hands hovered uncertainly near Neve’s shoulders. He just didn’t know what to do or where to touch so he wouldn’t get sent out like what happened a few seconds ago. "What do you want? Do you want me to stay with you or leave? Just tell me and I’ll do it."

Neve sniffed loudly and held his stomach, trying to steady his breathing.

"I want ramen," he hiccuped.

Cael furrowed his brows, clearly confused by the sudden shift in topic.

"Ra...men?" He tilted his head, his leopard ears twitching atop his hair. "Is it a fruit? Is it something you need for the cubs?"

Neve just sighed, taking a deep breath to calm down and flush out the last of his ridiculous outburst. There was no need for him to behave like that toward Cael, not when the leopard was just being caring and concerned. He wasn’t trying to hurt Neve. He was trying to help.

Especially not when Cael could get him those 2 Bond Points he needed to buy the ramen.

Neve stood up slowly and took two steps closer to Cael. He slid his hand onto Cael’s chest, feeling the steady, warm heartbeat beneath his palm.

"Why don’t I help you get a taste of something better than ramen?" he asked, his voice dropping into a lower, more seductive purr.

"What?" Cael raised a brow, his gaze darkening slightly. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just kiss me. Touch me. Do anything intimate," Neve said simply.

Cael’s hand twitched with desire. He wanted nothing more than to touch Neve, to pull him close and press his body against the red panda’s soft fur. But his eyes dropped to Neve’s stomach, filled with sudden caution.

"Will it hurt the cubs?" he asked, his protective instincts kicking in.

Neve saw the genuine concern written all over his face. Driven by a mix of affection and pure ramen-lust, he lurched forward, wrapping his arms around Cael’s neck. He stood on his toes as his bulging stomach pressed against Cael’s body. The leopard’s hands immediately shot out to support him.

"You’re not going to say no, are you?" Neve asked, his voice desperate and needy.

"Of course not," Cael said softly. His hand wrapped firmly around Neve’s waist, easily supporting his weight, while his other hand gently gripped Neve’s chin. He suddenly pressed his lips hard against Neve’s, using his tongue to part his lips without hesitation.

The kiss was intense and hungry.

Neve shut his eyes, feeling and tasting Cael’s tongue in his mouth. The leopard was being careful of his body, but passionate at the same time. His kiss was deep and searching, like he was trying to pour all his feelings into this single moment of connection.

Cael’s tongue moved against Neve’s, exploring and tasting. His hand on Neve’s waist pulled him closer, pressing their bodies together despite the small barrier of Neve’s pregnant belly. The leopard’s other hand moved up into Neve’s hair, his fingers running through the soft red strands.

Neve moaned softly into the kiss, feeling pleasure and comfort wash over him at the same time. Cael’s lips were warm and demanding, his tongue skilled and confident. The kiss felt like coming home.

Just then, Neve heard sharp dings echoing in his head. His system was notifying him of something important.

He snapped his eyes open, looking over Cael’s shoulder at the transparent system notification without breaking the kiss.

[Bond Point Calculating...]

Neve wished he could scream with joy and ask for the exact number, but he forced himself to stay still. He kept kissing Cael, eagerly waiting for the calculation to complete.

[Bond Point Calculation Completed!]

[...]

[Bond Point: 160]

Neve suddenly shoved Cael away as his eyes beamed with pure joy and excitement.

"It’s completed!" he screamed.

Cael stood there completely confused and slightly betrayed, his lips still wet and swollen from the kiss.

"Completed?" he asked, his leopard ears flattening in bewilderment.

"I can finally get the ramen!" Neve said, already whipping around to tap rapidly at his floating system interface.

Cael did not understand a word of what Neve was saying, but seeing him smiling and happy again was enough to ease his confusion. But as soon as Neve punched the buy button under the ramen... and aggressively added a generous mountain of cheap extra toppings to taste... Cael’s jaw dropped in shock.

A steaming, fragrant bowl of rich ramen appeared out of thin air on the low stone table.

"What... what are those?" Cael asked, staring at the steaming order in disbelief.

"Cravings," Neve shrugged happily. His Bond Point balance was right back to zero after the lavish purchase, but he had gotten exactly what he wanted. He turned back to Cael, his face lighting up with absolute gratitude and affection.

"Let’s eat some ramen, babe!"

Cael raised a brow, completely lost. "...Babe?"