Warning: The following chapters contain intimate scenes and romantic content. Reader discretion is advised.
Corn could be made into corn cakes, homemade popcorn, and corn and flour buns. Before they left, Yaelle had secretly stored some fresh corn in her space. Now she used it to make corn and pork rib soup, salt and pepper corn kernels, and stir-fried corn with chili strips.
With tomatoes, she made scrambled eggs with tomato, tomato and egg soup, tomatoes with sugar, and even stir-fried some sweet potato leaves.
Maxim was surprised by the completely unfamiliar dishes and paused for a second. Then, following Yaelle's hint, he picked up a peanut and tasted it. It was fragrant, crispy, and had a very new texture.
He went on to try the other dishes. The potato cakes were salty and delicious, the corn buns were soft and sweet, and the braised pork ribs with potatoes were tender but not greasy.
Every dish was tasty and different, with lots of new techniques that opened his eyes.
After the meal, Yaelle explained the yield and ways to cook corn, potatoes, and peanuts. He was so stunned he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
These delicious ingredients could produce over 5,000 jin per mu. That was definitely something that could benefit all of humanity. Just talking about it would already make his father happy.
Once everything was tidied up, there was still time. Michael had work to do and asked Yaelle to take him around.
The two walked and talked comfortably. As they walked, Yaelle realized Maxim was slowly leading her toward his room. He really knew the way by heart.
She didn't say anything, just followed his pace. She wanted to see what he was trying to do.
The closer they got to the room, the faster his steps became. Yaelle found it a little funny.
As soon as they stepped inside and the door was closed, the next second she was pressed against the door. A hot kiss followed right after.
Maxim held the person he had missed for days. The emptiness in his heart finally felt filled. He was eager and passionate, like dry wood catching fire, impossible to stop.
Their lips and teeth tangled as they moved together. Yaelle felt his heat and slowly responded to him.
Not until her gaze turned hazy and her breath unsteady did they slowly part.
This guy, where did he learn this? He kept getting better. Men really didn't need to be taught this kind of thing.
Yaelle leaned against Maxim's chest, trying to catch her breath, when she heard his voice above her, "Yaelle, I haven't seen you for a while. I missed you so much. I even dreamed about you. Did you miss me?"
"Dreamed? You... dreamed?" She caught that word right away.
Hearing that, Maxim's face instantly turned red all the way to his neck. He stammered, "N-no, I didn't."
Yaelle was amused by how shy and cute he was. "Why deny it so fast? So what if you did? I'm not going to laugh at you."
Maxim didn't know how to respond. Yaelle always teased him like this.
"It's really not a big deal. If you dreamed of me, it means I'm in your heart. That makes me happy."
As she spoke, she lightly kissed his lips.
That soft kiss stirred him up again. Just as he had caught his breath, it got messed up again. He lowered his head and kissed the lips he had longed for in his dreams.
This time it wasn't as rushed as before. It was a more lingering kiss, one that stirred the heat in Yaelle's heart.
His kiss moved from her lips to her earlobe. His hot breath made her tremble. He moved lightly along her neck to her collarbone, gently biting it, which made her let out a soft moan.
The sound encouraged Maxim even more. His lips and tongue worked harder along her neck. As he moved, Yaelle's top became more and more loose.
Maxim accidentally caught a glimpse. A large patch of white made his eyes blur. He knew he shouldn't look, but he couldn't bring himself to look away. That place pulled his gaze downward.
Further down was a faint curve... disappearing at the edge... a mysterious place he hadn't reached yet...
Maxim's heart was full of excitement. His trembling hand moved down from her neck to the place he had longed for. When he actually touched it, he paused, suddenly clear-headed.
It felt like an electric shock, so he pulled back quickly. Blushing, he lowered his head and said, "Sorry, Yaelle, I was too rash just now."
She thought, what's the big deal? In modern times, things like this were much bolder. He only touched once and got scared because she was still a virgin. She said nothing and just pretended to be shy, lowering her head.
Maxim sighed and said, "I really want to get married soon!"
Yaelle smiled lightly. "So eager?"
"Of course. I want to see you every day. When I miss you, I want to appear in front of you immediately."
"Brother Michael already asked someone to check the date. There's a lucky day in October. You can send someone to confirm it. I think Michael mentioned this before."
"Really?" Maxim was very happy. It was late June now, only a little over three months to October. She would finish mourning in September, so October was the earliest they could marry.
They were already engaged, so the first steps like the proposal, name inquiry, and good fortune acceptance were done. Only the betrothal gift, fixing the date, and bride welcoming remained.
The betrothal gift meant the man formally gave the woman a gift, usually gold, silver, fabric, or jewelry. Here, the woman gave the man a gift, often handmade, not expensive but made with heart. Usually, paintings, embroidery, or clothes and shoes made by her. Since women usually didn't make these things, making them showed her care for the man.
Fixing the date was when the woman confirmed the wedding day and officially told the man's family.
The bride welcoming was on the wedding day. The woman sent a team, usually with a flower sedan and music, to the man's home to greet the groom. Here, it was a bit different. The bride and groom didn't cover their faces. The woman didn't ride a horse but sat in a carriage open on the sides with beaded curtains. The view was vague, teasing imagination. Many of the groom's side chose their wife at this time.
Women rarely went out, and when they did, many people surrounded them to keep men away. Only at this time could men openly look at the woman without being stopped.
If a man liked the woman, he could send a matchmaker to propose. Good women usually accepted. It wasn't a first wife, and if she was pretty with a good dowry and good character, having another wife was no problem.
"I wouldn't lie to you. It's true," Yaelle said seriously, looking at Maxim.
Hearing this, Maxim smiled happily. He hugged Yaelle tightly and spun around. His sudden move surprised her but also made her laugh. Her laughter was clear and bright, echoing in the air, making the world seem more beautiful.
Maxim looked at Yaelle, whose smile shook her whole body. He felt full of happiness and satisfaction. He knew he loved this cute girl deeply and wanted to protect and care for her for life.
He picked Yaelle up in a princess carry and slowly walked to a small couch inside the room. His movements were gentle and steady, as if holding a precious treasure.
Yaelle was startled by this sudden action, but her body could not move. Her heart beat faster and her cheeks turned red. She did not know how to respond.
When Maxim reached the couch, he gently placed Yaelle down. His eyes never left her, full of deep feeling.
"Take a good nap. I'll stay here with you," Maxim said softly, his voice full of warmth and care.
Yaelle nodded slightly. She felt a warm current rise in her heart. Although she did not know this man well yet, his care made her feel warm and safe.
Maxim sat beside the couch, quietly watching Yaelle fall asleep. His gaze was full of love and tenderness, as if this woman was his whole life.
Only he knew how much willpower he had used to control the demon inside him just now. How much he wanted to follow the dream and do what he wanted after placing her on the couch...
But now was not the time.