The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 211: Did You Make These Dishes?

Just as she was thinking, she saw Aunt Wang bringing over a tureen, her eyes crinkled with smiles: "Madam, there’s still some soup here, do try it."

With that, she served a bowl of soup to Maya Monroe.

Maya accepted it: "Thank you."

Her eyes examined the slightly murky soup base, somehow feeling the color combination this time was a bit strange...

Ian Rowe lightly coughed, his expression somewhat unnatural: "It won’t be as tasty once it gets cold, go ahead and try it."

Maya nodded, casually picking up a piece of meat and putting it into her mouth to chew.

Ian’s movements paused, his gaze focused on Maya, watching her slowly chew with her lips still looking radiant.

His Adam’s apple rolled slightly, a hint of barely discernible anxiety in his eyes: "How does it taste?"

Ever since he had tasted his own failed creation last time, Ian had never cooked for Maya again. Until this time, after honing his culinary skills for a long time and finally receiving Vincent Summers’ tearful nod of approval, he felt confident enough to finally serve the dishes at the table.

Seeing Maya’s stiff, hesitant expression, the movement of his fingers froze.

"What, is it not tasty?"

A deep voice sounded, snapping Maya back to her senses immediately.

"No, it’s quite good."

Maya loves food, but from a certain perspective, she’s actually not very picky.

Ian breathed a sigh of relief internally, but then thought about the difference in culinary skills between himself and Aunt Wang. Could it be that Maya claimed it was delicious just to spare his feelings? Has she already realized that he made these dishes?

"If you don’t like it, don’t eat it, don’t force yourself."

Ian also tasted several dishes himself and found the flavor to be decent. However, the dishes Maya had eaten previously were all gourmet foods, so what he made certainly wouldn’t quite suit her palate...

Maya cast a casual glance at Ian, and upon seeing his somewhat anxious pondering expression and the steady glances cast towards her, a bold guess suddenly emerged in her mind.

"Honey, did you personally make these dishes?"

Ian did not speak, but his expression immediately became somewhat unnatural.

Aunt Wang spoke at the right moment: "Yes, yes, the gentleman prepared these dishes for a long time! He’s been busy since noon until now, and burnt three pots before he managed to prepare the dishes satisfactorily to serve on the table!!"

Ian had already instructed her not to mention the cooking to Maya, but Aunt Wang found his reticence over this quite unnecessary. Why hide kindness from someone, not letting them know? So, taking advantage of Maya’s questioning, Aunt Wang straightforwardly explained, hoping Maya would be touched by it, which would be all the better.

Maya instinctively looked towards Ian, with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Though she had suspected this possibility, she could hardly believe Ian would personally cook such a large spread of dishes for her.

Ian felt her gaze and met her eyes: "Otherwise, let the kitchen prepare another serving, don’t force yourself."

"No need, wasting food isn’t a good habit. Besides..." Maya smiled softly, "These dishes are indeed tasty, thank you for your effort, honey."

Actually, Maya’s heart wasn’t as calm as she appeared. Somehow, when she met Ian’s eyes, she found herself somewhat flustered.

Ian’s gaze... when did it become so gentle? Like spring water that could drown a person.

Not only was she astonished by Ian’s contrasting change, but there seemed to be another reason causing the turmoil within her heart, albeit she couldn’t quite articulate what it was. She was inexplicably a bit restless.

Looking up, she could see Ian dining, his head slightly lowered, his expression serene and gentle, conveying a sense of peacefulness.

Maya slowly retracted her gaze; the present moment was overly cozy, her hand froze, and the fork fell down directly.

Aunt Wang bent down to pick it up: "Madam, are you feeling unwell?"

Ian’s gaze also turned over, carrying a hint of concern.

"I’m fine... just slipped my hand."

After dining, Maya headed upstairs, her hand on the banister, briefly sweeping over the familiar surroundings.

Once she reached the corner, she turned left, stretching out her hand to ruffle her hair irritably.

As for the layout and decoration of this villa, she was already so familiar with it.

*

Ian looked at the noticeably diminished food on the table, his lips curling into a smile.

Aunt Wang spoke beside him: "Madam must have really enjoyed the food; I saw her finish all the rice in her bowl, and she ate noticeably more dishes than usual. It must be because you personally cooked them."

Aunt Wang’s words exactly hit the sweet spot in Ian’s heart.

His mood instantly brightened, and he took out his phone to send several red envelopes to Vincent Summers as compensation for "testing the food."

[Vincent Summers has received your red envelope]

[Vincent Summers: What’s going on?! Ian, why are you suddenly so generous?!]

[Vincent Summers retracted a message]

[Vincent Summers: Ian, you’re my good brother, benefactor, in my next life I shall follow you again!!]

[Vincent Summers: The more I think about it, the more uneasy I feel, there’s no free pie from the sky, Ian, are you planning on pranking me?]

[Vincent Summers: Ian, reply to me, I’m scared...]

[Vincent Summers: Ian...]

Ian calmly shifted his gaze away.

Why wouldn’t he be pleased to receive money?

After heading upstairs, Maya didn’t immediately fall asleep, but to avoid trouble, she feigned sleep as she had before.

Soon, a soft rustling sound was heard again — Ian had returned.

His scent was unique and appealing, with steady wood fragrance intermingled with a hint of mint’s coolness.

Maya continued to keep her eyes closed, yet she found herself unable to ignore Ian beside her this time. Whether it be his scent or the sound of his steady breathing.

*

Maya attended the shoot the next day with dark circles under her eyes.

This time it was an advertisement shoot.

"Miss Monroe, your dark circles are so severe! Have you been staying up late these days?"

"No."

Just stayed up last night.

Maya lifted her head, feeling the makeup artist seemed somewhat familiar, and asked curiously, "Have I seen you somewhere before?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The other laughed: "I’ve done your makeup before, thinking about it, it’s quite a coincidence!"

"It is quite a coincidence." Maya nodded.

"You seem to really like doing snack endorsements, why? I thought jewelry or watches, those luxury items are the best proof of elevating your status."

"I don’t lack those."

The makeup artist paused, then broke into a smile.

Indeed, given Maya’s current popularity, invitations for endorsements from big brands must be piling up.

"Also, with these endorsements, I get lots of freebies. Whether it’s candies or jerky, I quite like them, and it lasts me quite a while."

The makeup artist looked at her incredulously: "So... the reason you like doing snack advertisements is because you like the snack freebies from the brands?"