The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 257: Is This Something I’m Allowed to Say?

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Is This Something I’m Allowed to Say?

[qqq: I used to worry about Maya and Miles not having enough to eat. Now I am relieved. I don’t know how long they’re staying here this episode, just hoping my baby won’t go hungry!]

[Laughing makes you ten years younger: Maya’s group sure had an easy time getting food. I bet Kiki’s group over there doesn’t have it that simple; their food will probably be gone today.]

[Exaggerated: Who else is Kiki’s group going to blame? Justin’s got a foul mouth, complaining about what they’re given. Who would want to give them anything? Let them be hungry, serves them right!]

[Picky: Justin’s just getting worse. He shouldn’t have joined this show; better off gnawing on truffles back at his villa!]

[Little Detective Genius: Isn’t anyone curious about the return stone? What is it exactly? The program didn’t explain!]

[But no: It’s hard to guess. Didn’t the kid say it? Stonewell is full of stones.]

...

*

Dinner was still easy to sort out, just washing fruits and pairing them with two packaged bread.

As for the "warmth" the guide delivered, it’s still obediently sitting in the kitchen.

"Maya, any thoughts from today’s outing?"

Maya shook her head, leisurely wiping off the tomato juice accidentally smeared on her fingers: "It’s just the first day; no rush."

"Wonder if any other groups found clues."

Maya crossed her legs into a more comfortable position: "Who knows?"

"Are we continuing the search tomorrow? Should we focus on pinpointing a specific area to start searching?"

Maya fiddled with a pebble in her hand, speaking slowly: "There’s limited information right now, not easy to determine a scope."

Miles thought for a moment, then nodded.

"No need to rush, life here is pretty good, enjoy it while slowly searching."

For some reason, Miles’s earlobes turned red, and after a moment, he softly hummed in agreement.

*

"Hey, Maya! Miles!" The guide stood under the row of poplar trees at the village entrance, still holding a palm fan.

Maya and Miles walked over.

"Why are you here?"

The guide pretended to be bored: "Staying in the room all day is boring, right? I told you, it’s interesting outside, you should come out more, too!"

"We’re almost out every day."

"Why?"

"Didn’t you already know the answer?"

The guide kept smiling, then his smile paused. His gaze landed on Maya’s arm, where the fine fair arm was visibly bitten by mosquitoes, the red spots making a stark contrast.

The guide glanced at Miles, who was in a similar situation.

He was slightly surprised: "You’ve fed the mosquitoes quite a bit, haven’t you?"

Maya nodded: "Quite a few mosquitoes at night."

The guide clicked his tongue: "What a couple of pitiful ones..."

He fished out a bottle of repellent from his pocket and casually tossed it to Maya: "For the mosquitoes, take it, no need to thank me."

Maya held the bottle, her expression complex.

Miles asked: "Are you... helping us?"

The guide raised an eyebrow: "Yeah, the show can’t officially help the guests, but I’m about to resign."

Maya’s expression remained complex: "Can you say that out loud?"

"Once this episode’s over, I’m gone. The show probably can’t find a new guide fast enough to replace me."

"So that’s why you’re so fearless?"

The guide fanned himself twice: "That’s a fitting description."

"Since that’s the case, can you give us more hints?"

"More hints?" The guide pondered, then suddenly laughed: "I’ve given plenty, how much you listen to is up to you guests."

"I still think the environment here is fantastic, why rush to leave? You’ve noticed its charm, right?"

"Don’t you agree, Maya?"

He suddenly stopped fanning and looked directly over.

Mysteriously, Maya felt like his words carried other meanings, hinting at something else for her to understand.

"You’re right."

"I think so too." The guide continued: "Try to blend into the surroundings, and maybe you’ll have unexpected gains."

Miles wanted to ask something, but the guide remained silent.

"Talking is exhausting, let’s chat tomorrow!"

"Blend into the environment..." Maya murmured, staring at the few pebbles on the ground.

After this encounter, quite a few villagers still offered food, which they declined this time. With plenty of food in hand, storing more risked spoilage and waste.

Due to the lack of concrete clues, they could only search through every corner of the village diligently.

A loudspeaker blared.

Walking along the small bridge for a bit, they soon encountered the village chief, a kindly old man sporting a beard.

"Are you here just for a stroll?"

Maya nodded: "Yes, the village is beautiful."

The village chief rode a green tricycle, warmly inviting: "The spinach in the field is ripe, I’m going to harvest it. Are you interested in taking a look?"

Mysteriously, Maya recalled again what the guide said.

Try blending into the surroundings, maybe unexpected gains await...

Maya answered with a smile: "We’d be delighted."

Maya’s decisions found no objection from Miles naturally.

The two hopped onto the vehicle together.

They bypassed a few paths, eventually stopping near a field.

"This whole area is Stonewell’s land, see how well those crops are growing."

From afar, it stretched in lush green, thriving, full of vitality.

Maya nodded.

Soon, they followed the chief to his family’s spinach plot.

An elderly woman wearing a headscarf approached, presumably the chief’s wife. Following her, holding a water bottle, was likely the chief’s daughter-in-law.

"This is..." Laura Ward tied her headscarf tighter: "Are these the celebrities shooting in the village?"

Elaine Sinclair walked over, smiling: "Grandma, these are the stars. I’ve seen them often on TV. Don’t you remember the series you followed? She’s the actress from that."

Laura Ward had a revelation, rubbing her eyes: "No wonder you looked familiar. You played Luna, right? I really liked that series."

She gave a thumbs-up: "Great acting."

"You’re too kind, I’m Maya."

"This young man also looks familiar."

Miles introduced himself.

Laura Ward nodded repeatedly, then asked the chief: "Why did you bring them to the fields? The sun is so harsh. Didn’t those two celebrities struggle yesterday?"

The chief looked a bit perplexed, mumbling: "I thought I’d show them around the fields; walking takes quite a bit of time."

Seeing the chief’s demeanor, Maya instantly understood she was in the right place.

It seemed the chief bringing them to the field was a part of the show’s plan.