The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 242: First Time in My Life

Maya Monroe isn’t a germaphobe, but watching her brand-new white shoes gradually get stained black wasn’t exactly pleasant.

At the same time, a blast of cold wind blew down her neck.

Maya increasingly regretted not staying in the hotel like a sitting duck.

Vincent Summers followed closely behind, suddenly letting out a wail, "Maya, you splashed dirty water all over my shoes! I’ve spent too much of my salary this month; I can’t afford another pair!"

Maya shivered from the cold, "Aren’t you a rich second generation?"

"I... rich second generation or not, it doesn’t matter. My dad, who’s stingy to a fault, expects me to start from scratch after learning all the skills! Have you ever seen a rich kid living so miserably?"

Vincent thought for a moment, "Actually, I’m a fifth-generation rich kid..."

Habitual underdog Maya casually sighed, "That’s really nice."

Ian Rowe suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Maya asked, "What’s wrong?"

The flush on Maya’s cheeks had faded, her pale face highlighting her increasingly crimson lips, and she was still trembling slightly.

"You’re cold," he stated matter-of-factly.

"I’m fine," Maya insisted, thinking of all the hardships she had endured—this was nothing in comparison.

The original owner of this body had such a weak constitution; in her past life, carrying five bags of rice up six flights of stairs would have been no problem!

Ian Rowe frowned deeply, suddenly shrugging off his already soaked jacket and tossing it to the ground.

Vincent exclaimed in surprise, hurriedly retrieving it from the puddle, "Ian, are you throwing away good clothes just like that?"

Maya was just trying to figure out Ian’s intention when she was suddenly hit by a sensation of weightlessness.

On instinct, she wrapped her arms around Ian’s neck.

Being carried princess-style for the first time in her life, Maya felt extremely uncomfortable.

In the past, she only ever got dragged or carried while dying. This was the first time she was held this way.

Amid the discomfort, there was a hint of newness.

Without the barrier of cold, wet clothes, Maya could clearly feel his dry, warm embrace, like a furnace filled with charcoal, continuously radiating heat around her.

The chill around her dissipated, and Maya instinctively nestled deeper into Ian’s arms, soaking up the warmth she craved.

So warm.

This hug became not so difficult to accept.

Vincent, having just picked up the clothes and straightened up, was greeted by a wave of PDA.

Feeling a mix of emotions, he suddenly noticed Ian’s speed was even faster than before.

Vincent once again gasping for breath, chased after them, "Ian, Maya, wait for me!"

Fortunately, the parking lot wasn’t far.

Ian climbed into the car after Maya, looking down and asking her, "Feeling better?"

"Pretty good."

Maya was wrapped in a blanket, one usually used for sleeping, which now served another purpose.

Vincent scrambled into the car, disheveled, "Why didn’t you guys wait for me... so tiring... the weather in Kyston changes so drastically; it was sunny yesterday, and today it’s bitterly cold."

"Turn up the heat."

Hearing Ian’s command, Vincent did as he was told.

As the car’s temperature gradually rose, Maya once again felt the cozy comfort of being in a hotel.

Yvonne Hall stood in place, watching the car slowly drive away.

The staff next to her asked, "Director Hall, should we go over and say hello?"

Yvonne shook her head slowly, chuckling, "In this situation, is there even a need to greet them? Going over would just disturb and trouble them."

She paused, murmuring, "I just didn’t expect Mr. Rowe to come over especially because Maya is sick, seems I was still a step too late..."

*

"Madam, you’re finally back! Did Mr. Rowe pick you up?"

Ian’s hair was still dripping with moisture; he said, "Aunt Wang, my wife might have caught a chill, please ask the kitchen to make a bowl of ginger tea."

"She... caught a chill?!" Aunt Wang rushed to respond, "I’ll go right away!"

Under Ian’s instruction, Maya lay in bed, covered with a quilt.

A steaming bowl of ginger tea was placed on the bedside table; its aroma was anything but enticing, bordering on peculiar.

"Actually, I feel perfectly fine, sweetheart; you really don’t have to make such a fuss. I’ve always been in great shape, no way I’m this weak. This ginger tea... you should keep it for yourself."

Ian clearly misunderstood her, "Don’t worry about me, there’s more ginger tea."

"Uh... honestly, I’m not a big fan of drinking this."

"It’s for warding off the cold; you need to drink it."

Maya noticed that Ian’s clothes were still wet and he hadn’t dried his hair either.

She felt somewhat conflicted, "You should go take a hot shower first; I’m really sturdy!"

Ian wouldn’t listen and insisted, "I’ll go after you finish the tea."

Is he really insisting on the ginger tea?

Maya pinched her nose and took a gulp.

"Swallow it down."

After a sip of ginger tea, Maya felt like she wasn’t quite herself.

Her stomach, long pampered, could no longer be compared to the past.

"Really awful..."

Ian’s gaze shifted slightly, forcing himself to avert his eyes from her tear-filled yet beautiful eyes, "There’s not much left, let me help you."

"No, no... I’ll do it myself."

Watching Maya’s evasive stance, Ian’s feelings were once again indescribably complex, "Let me help you."

"I’m used to taking medicine myself; I’m not a child. I don’t need anyone to feed me."

As the two of them debated, a bearded middle-aged man carrying a medical kit approached them.

He said, "Mr. Rowe."

Ian placed the bowl on the table, then stood up, "Dr. Zhang, could you check my wife? She might have gotten chilled; please make sure she isn’t catching a cold."

Dr. Zhang agreed and walked over slowly.

After a thorough examination, Dr. Zhang said, "Mr. Rowe, your wife is in good shape."

Ian involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief, asking, "Is there any other issue with her health?"

Although Maya insisted she was fine, Ian wouldn’t be reassured until a final checkup was done.

"There doesn’t seem to be any issues right now, but to be safe, going to the hospital would be prudent. After all, without equipment here, the exam results might not be very accurate."

Ian paused and thanked him.

"Mr. Rowe, Mrs. Rowe, I’ll be on my way then."

Maya had a hunch that Ian would take her to the hospital again.

"Bring me my bag."

Ian didn’t know what she intended but complied nonetheless.