The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 156: Anything But Simple

Maya also sobered up; the punishment for failing the game was to wear strange costumes and dance.

She wasn’t afraid of strange costumes since she wasn’t scared of embarrassment, but dancing...

Maya suddenly focused on Brian, hoping it wasn’t something exhausting.

Brian suddenly smiled, "Didn’t expect James to remain so concerned about punishments as always."

James awkwardly replied, "It’s not like I haven’t been messed with enough in the game."

Julian laughed from the side, "James is a game black hole, luckily you didn’t join the first few rounds much."

James, being someone who valued his dignity, said, "Man, what are you talking about, who’s a game black hole? Everyone needs some time to adjust to new games. I just need a bit more time to adapt, that’s all."

Julian chuckled, not speaking further, maintaining that gentle and elegant demeanor.

Maya’s gaze stayed on Brian.

Sometimes, what you fear just happens to come your way.

"Actually, James, you don’t need to panic. The person with the lowest score this round just has to complete the game three times, not take photos three times, but cross the obstacles three times."

"So troublesome?" The clearly disdainful voice didn’t come from James, but from Maya.

Brian was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Maya to speak.

For a moment, he thought this spur-of-the-moment idea was pretty good, at least it could stimulate some guests’ enthusiasm from certain aspects.

But it was indeed strange, Maya was always lethargic, as if taking one extra step was torture and she never wanted to steal the spotlight...

James also said, "Walking three times repeatedly? What kind of strange punishment is this?"

Brian seriously analyzed, "Think about it, the low photo score probably owes a lot to not having enough time to adjust on the platform, and why is there no time? Because too much time was wasted crossing obstacles."

"Walking across three times actually exercises your balance, and the chance of winning next time will be greatly increased!"

James didn’t speak after that.

Maya’s annoyance was more apparent, just crossing those obstacles sounded troublesome, and the last one even had to do it three times?! What idiot came up with this idea...

"This game needs to pick people, right?"

Maya unusually asked with enthusiasm.

Brian seemed to have already seen through Maya’s thoughts, "No, this time the game requires participation of all team members from both teams."

"Wasn’t it just picking people earlier? How come it changed so quickly?"

Seeing Maya’s serious expression, Brian chuckled silently, "Each round’s game rules are different. The rules from the last round don’t necessarily apply to the current round. Maya, it seems you don’t play games often, but that’s okay. Maybe you’ll enjoy it once you get familiar with our show."

Maya turned her head, feeling a bit irritated.

With this punishment, she couldn’t just stand still and not move, because she didn’t want to be last.

Get familiar and then like it? Who would like such childish and boring games?!

Anyone could see the impatience on Maya’s face, and after so many rounds of games, everyone had already grown accustomed to Maya’s transformation.

She no longer loved to be in the spotlight like before; it seemed she... had become much lazier...

Bella lamented, "Crossing obstacles and completing photos within three minutes, the game rules don’t sound particularly difficult, do they?"

Brian smiled ambiguously, "The new game can’t be evaluated yet. Perhaps we should ask our guests. I’m sure they won’t disappoint us."

Bella smiled and nodded, but in her heart, she thought this game didn’t seem easy.

As they switched stages in the middle, Maya said to Ryan Spencer, "Ryan, let’s not participate in such boring variety shows after this, okay?"

"Keep your voice down." Ryan glanced around, everyone was busy, but there might still be ears nearby, "Why don’t you change your outspoken habit? What if someone hears you? What if you get a bad reputation?"

When advising Maya, Ryan always tended to say a lot, fearing she wouldn’t understand.

"Then let them."

Again with that careless tone, Ryan really couldn’t figure out what his artist was thinking.

He awkwardly changed the subject, "What do you mean by that? With so many interesting little games, how can it be boring? The types of games are quite diverse."

"Only someone with nothing better to do would squat here and jump around."

Ryan sighed, "I know it was unfair to let you eat the insect meal..."

"That wasn’t the unfair part." Maya thought for a moment, her eyes suddenly brightened, "Is there a food show, like a food challenge, Ryan, can you get me into that?"

Ryan was silent for a second, then he put his hand on his forehead, "Food challenge? Maya, what are you thinking about all day..."

Due to the special nature of the game, they switched to another location.

Below the three-meter-high pool, there were soft foam balls, with a bridge two feet wide spanning it, and you could vaguely see uneven obstacles on it.

Brown long boxes, pillows, shells...

Various strange items were placed regularly on the bridge, and the empty space in between was barely enough for one foot. And crossing the obstacles meant stepping past those tricky empty spots one after another.

James, who was somewhat afraid of heights, felt dizzy and his legs a bit weak when he looked down at the three-meter-deep pool.

Forcing a smile on his face, he said, "The so-called ’crossing obstacles’ is not quite what I imagined. Just this pool makes me timid; I even imagine how I’d look falling down..."

Brian Bennett patted his shoulder, with the other hand still holding the microphone: "Don’t be afraid, there are foam balls below. Even if you fall, just think of it as an exciting adventure!"

"The captain doesn’t need to participate. I’m so envious of Brian!"

Brian Bennett chuckled.

Leo Lancaster stepped back, glancing at Maya Monroe beside him, who was still peering at the pool below, her pretty eyebrows furrowed.

His heart moved slightly, and he reached out to pull Maya back a little.

Suddenly, the words Rose Adler had just said popped into his mind. She said he wasn’t doing well and told him to keep his distance from Maya...

Thinking of this, Leo’s grip tightened.

Maya slapped away Leo’s hand, looking at his distracted expression: "Leo, why are you pinching me?"

Ever since finding out there was a punishment this round, Maya’s mood hadn’t been great.

Leo snapped back to reality and immediately apologized: "I’m really sorry, Maya, it’s all my fault."

"It’s okay."

Leo’s lips moved: "Safety is the most important, take care of yourself."

Maya nodded.

Brian Bennett and Bella Sanford, as the captains of the red and yellow teams, didn’t participate in the competition, and naturally became the referees.

Two obstacle bridges were set up over the pool, and members of the red and yellow teams crossed over them, which in a way was also a showdown.

James Wallace was the first to volunteer.

Bella Sanford looked at him puzzled: "Didn’t you say you were scared?"

James Wallace smiled, showing his canine teeth on both sides: "I’m afraid if I see the others play first, I won’t dare go up at all..."

Maya moved to the edge, she didn’t want to be first, if she couldn’t avoid it later, she would go last.

Soon, both teams confirmed their participants.

Evelyn Hayes from the red team, James Wallace from the yellow team.

Maya’s gaze swept around and quickly discovered a problem.

She was sure she had seen Eric Rowe’s figure, why hasn’t she seen him since the opening dance?

Leo was right next to her, so Maya casually asked: "Where’s Eric?"

Actually, she had another idea: if Eric could leave, didn’t that mean she could leave too?

Leo paused: "I just ran into him, he left in a hurry, probably something to do with the family estate."

"You know, the old lady never agreed with him entering the entertainment industry, probably causing another fuss today."

Maya squinted her eyes, pondering: "If Eric can leave halfway, then so can I..."

She said and was about to turn away.

Leo quickly called out to her, a wry smile on his face: "Maya, Ryan’s watching you from backstage, think twice before you act..."

Maya’s steps abruptly halted.

Right, she didn’t know what Eric Rowe’s manager was like, but Ryan Spencer... he truly restricted her like a dad would a daughter.

Running out now would be carefree, but if Ryan was furious and signed her up for some ridiculous variety shows, it wouldn’t be good.

Like "Great Survival Challenge," she’d never want to join a similar show again...

Meanwhile, James Wallace and Evelyn Hayes had already started.

Evelyn, being small and decent at balancing, faced the balance beam with some trepidation, but managed to maintain control overall.

James Wallace suddenly yelped, his ankle trembling, with his left foot three centimeters off the balance beam. In panic, he hurriedly retracted his left foot.

Unexpectedly, though he retrieved his foot, he couldn’t regain his balance, and his upper body swayed for a while before steadying.

Brian Bennett called out through the microphone: "Don’t rush, calm yourself down, maintain balance!"

James Wallace seemed to hear, gently nodding.

The allotted time was three minutes, and a minute and a half had passed, yet both teams had only covered a third of the distance.

Two teams started cheering for their members.

Kiki Monroe shouted loudly, her face slightly flushed, occasionally glancing back at the audience area.

Maya watched the excitement with her arms crossed, staying silent.

Once Evelyn Hayes got the hang of it, her speed noticeably increased.

Meanwhile, James Wallace stumbled again, almost falling off.

Everyone gasped in surprise.

In private, James had a bit of a temper, almost unable to resist cursing.

At this moment, all the guests realized just how complicated this seemingly simple game truly was...