The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 77: The Variety Show Begins Filming

Kiki’s face looked embarrassed; Maya always made her lose face time and again.

But what hurt her the most was Monica Jacobs’ attitude; Monica only gave her a comforting glance without saying anything.

Why? Why didn’t she speak up to scold Maya? Could it be she also thought she was wrong?

Kiki felt aggrieved. Lately, she’s been experiencing nothing but bad luck, almost suspecting Maya was sent to give her grief.

Because of the recent episode, everyone ate without tasting the food.

Maya felt puzzled by her impulsive behavior earlier; why did she just lash out at the protagonist? That wasn’t in the storyline. But since it wasn’t included... she could randomly act a bit, right? After all, she really did feel a genuine surge of disgust towards Kiki at that moment.

Yes, it was disgust—not to fit the original character’s role, but a true, direct disgust brewing from within.

Though... why did she feel disgust even for an instant?

Maya checked the storyline’s entertainment value, then breathed a sigh of relief. Good, she knew casually deviating a bit wouldn’t matter.

As evening approached, Maya was about to bid farewell to the Monroe couple.

Monica was very reluctant, holding her while crying.

Maya keenly noted Kiki behind them with jealousy flashing in her eyes, her mouth curled up in a smile, and she provocatively raised her eyebrows at Kiki.

Let this be her motivation urging Kiki forward.

This mission world had a plethora of delightful food and fun, which Maya liked. The only shame was that the classic Mary Sue protagonist was too weak; during the craze of old stories, protagonists merely relied on their "protagonist halo" to captivate others, never deviating from romance in conflict and breakthrough, resulting in them having romantic imagination but no hard-hitting skills to match.

A weak protagonist was not good; their path as a villain would become much harder. Maya previously faced the "爽文大女主," who acted decisively—nothing more, Maya just showed up a few times before successfully dying off with grace. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

To look at Kiki now, it’s a bit disheartening...

"Your dad and I won’t bother you unless needed, but send us messages or chat if you have time; it’s okay if you can’t return as long as we know you’re doing well!"

Maya listened to Monica’s words, her mind drifting.

Monica was too good to her, so much so that she often reminisced about past matters, feeling overwhelmed and directionless.

Nobody knew her mother’s death was an everlasting scar she couldn’t move past.

"I understand..."

Maya boarded the car under their watchful send-off. Vincent Summers was driving, maintaining his characteristically silent demeanor.

Yet Maya noted his look of hesitation as if he wanted to speak up.

What puzzled Maya the most was Ian Rowe; she felt he had changed a bit, though she couldn’t describe it, yet sensed a softer temperament compared to before.

Really curious... could it be he hit the jackpot?

*

With a somber expression, Maya packed her luggage full of snacks, covering most space while clothing occupied a small part.

Only to discover at the last zipper pull the suitcase wouldn’t close, with a bag of chips half stuck out, causing sweat on her forehead until she tossed out a shirt to barely manage closing.

Giving the suitcase a pat, she hauled it downstairs.

Todays’ the day to join the variety show "Great Survival Challenge."

Ian Rowe coincidentally looked over documents from the sofa downstairs.

Beside him, Vincent complained endlessly, unable to comprehend Ian’s bizarre mentality—not with an impending board meeting, this guy was just sitting with documents for ages.

Upon seeing Maya descend, Ian put down his documents and asked, "How long will you be gone this time before returning?"

Maya thought for a moment: "The show’s shot in phases, counting flight time..."

Including flights was considered, but missed another crucial point she never checked past "Great Survival Challenge" content or the crew’s notice. She only knew phases but not phase length. Only knew flights, but not destination or flight duration.

Maya twisted her mouth yet confidently stated earlier, can’t lose face now. And it’s trivial enough to not impact the storyline, fibbing a bit was fine.

"Ahem... based on my analysis, seven or eight days!"

"Seven or eight days..."

Maya found Ian’s expression not pleasant, was he disdainful of her being gone so briefly? Seemingly plausible as he disliked her, typically avoided her at home.

Dropping the suitcase, Maya zealously hugged Ian, spouting cringe-worthy melodrama learned from TV.

"Oh my darling, rest assured, even a thousand mountains and waters between us, my heart yearns to meet you across seas and rendezvous, wait for me~"

Dropping his notebook, Vincent gagged, covering his face.

Vincent understood Maya’s love for Ian but deemed her approach too greasy—a bit much for any sane person.

Ian was enveloped by her hair’s exquisite fragrance, intoxicatingly potent. Fine strands hugged his cheek, a mere twitch could spark electrifying pleasure.

He noticed he’s feeling abnormal, increasingly unable to resist Maya’s allure.

Before experiencing more, first felt heat departing suddenly.

Maya flipped her hair, carrying cringiness well: "Since you yearn for me like that, hubby, I’ll return in the shortest time possible, wait for me!"

Ian stood, lifting her suitcase.

Momentarily turning, Maya didn’t catch his expression.

Certainly disgust, unpleased, he acting to grab her suitcase surely implied impatience for her absence!

"Just one suitcase?"

Hearing Ian turn asking.

Maya nodded. Agreeing one snack-laden suitcase wasn’t plenty, but only personal luggage allowed on reality shows. Preferring portable attire, she disliked hauling two hefty suitcases everywhere.