[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-437":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},437,89,"Chapter 89: \"If You Say Thank You, You Kiss Me.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Because its shape and flavor are so much like a lychee,\" Maxwell said patiently. \"It’s a traditional sweet-and-sour specialty.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna lingered on the taste. \"It really does taste like lychee.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell turned his gaze toward her. Seeing her bright, beaming smile, he knew she liked it. He leaned in, his voice dropping into a smooth, teasing register. \"Like it? Want me to make it for you tomorrow?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at him in disbelief. \"You actually know how to make this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Is there anything this man can't do?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell curled his lips, his expression light and effortless. \"I don't know how yet, but I can learn. You’ll just have to be the one to 'taste-test' it for your husband.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna laughed at his boldness and readily agreed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Surrounding them, the guests watched the couple in their own little bubble of intimacy, instinctively keeping their distance. Even those who tried to approach with a drink in hand were quietly diverted, no one daring to interrupt such a private moment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer Miller and April Turner were not quite as lucky. Spencer sat with his head turned away, a look of pure \"I can't watch this\" on his face, aggressively clearing the food from his plate to soothe his wounded ego. Meanwhile, April was fully invested, watching them with a doting, motherly grin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't until Lorelei White walked over and grabbed her arm that the spell broke. \"April, what are you doing over here? Your parents have been looking all over for you!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">April stammered out a sound of surprise and scrambled to her feet. As she brushed past, Lorelei couldn't resist a dry remark. \"You're about to drool. Here, wipe that up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">April: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A moment later, Spencer couldn't take it anymore either. He stood up and retreated. The PDA was just too heavy; he couldn't stomach it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was busy peeling shrimp. The plastic gloves stretched tight over his knuckles, revealing long, elegant fingers. He stripped away the heads and pulled off the shells with surgical precision, leaving only the firm, succulent meat behind. He placed the shrimp in a small bowl and immediately started on the next one. The entire process was fluid and graceful, his expression so natural it seemed like he had done this a thousand times before.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was far too practiced at this.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once the bowl was full, Maxwell set it in front of Arianna, along with a selection of three different dipping sauces. \"Try these.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna picked up a plump shrimp with her chopsticks, swirled it generously through the sauce, and held it out toward him. \"You try it first. Is it good?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell paused, visibly surprised. She looked at him, her eyes bright and curved into crescents. He relented, opening his mouth to take the bite, savoring the flavor. \"It’s not bad. The sauce is tangy and sweet—it should be perfect for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Really? Let me see.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna took a bite of her own, the fresh, tender meat melting on her tongue. Her taste buds were in heaven. \"It's delicious! And the sauce is amazing too!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell removed his gloves, signaled a server for a moist towelette, and began wiping his fingers with calm, deliberate movements. He made a mental note: once the banquet was over, he’d have to get the recipe for this sauce from Spencer. His wife loved it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The surrounding guests were frozen in shock. The cutthroat, ruthless CEO of King Enterprises had transformed into a doting waiter in the blink of an eye. His gaze was soft and indulgent, his tone gentle—this was a version of Maxwell King that no one had ever witnessed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Peeling shrimp, picking out fish bones—he was incredibly meticulous. Even when Arianna merely reached for a napkin, he had one ready for her before she could even find it. If he was like this in public, people didn't even dare to imagine what kind of coddled, blissful life his wife lived behind closed doors.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">—\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna looked at the napkin he’d just placed in her hand. \"Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell laughed, a hint of helplessness in his tone. \"Arianna, that’s the fifth time you’ve said 'thank you' tonight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Have I?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Conservative estimate? At least five,\" he chuckled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stayed silent. But he was peeling shrimp for her, clearing her plate—each \"thank you\" had come from the bottom of her heart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He tilted his head toward her, his voice lowering to a tender vibration. \"I’ve told you, we’re married. There’s no need to be so polite.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna fell back on her usual defense. \"Right. I’ll try to change that.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"'Try'?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna took the hint and corrected herself quickly. \"I’ll work on it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"'Work on it'?\" Maxwell still didn't seem satisfied.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna wracked her brain, couldn't find a more suitable phrasing, and decided to just give up. \"Then what else do you want me to say?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her tone was sharp, but the softness in her voice made it sound like she was pouting, her eyes fixed on him with a trace of playful resentment. She wasn't angry; she was flirting.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man’s dark eyes filled with a relaxed, amused light. He reached out and tapped her cheek with the back of his hand, his voice softening even further. \"How about we set up a reward and punishment system?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at him. She suddenly had the sinking feeling she was about to fall into another one of his traps. Yet, he looked entirely innocent. \"Why are you looking at me like that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">You know why.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her internal alarm bells were screaming. \"A reward and punishment system? Like what? Tell me, and I might not agree.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell laughed, resting his arm on the table. He said, with deliberate, slow cadence, \"For example, every time you say 'thank you,' you have to kiss me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"............\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was so stunned she couldn't even find the words to describe her disbelief. He had kept his voice so low that only she could hear him. Surrounded by eyes—some of which were glancing their way every few seconds—her heart hammered against her ribs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a beat, her sanity returned. She shot back, \"And what if *you* say thank you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell replied without skipping a beat, \"Then I’ll kiss you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272909396]