"Alright," Addison agreed, unbuckling her seatbelt and gazing out the window. The street outside was alive with activity, filled with people bustling about and brushing shoulders as they passed. Small stalls lined the sidewalks, run by street vendors illuminated by hanging lights. The bright bulbs shimmered through the warm steam rising from the food, creating a dreamy, misty glow. Smiling faces filled the crowd as people wandered from stall to stall, picking out their favorite snacks. This kind of lively atmosphere was entirely new to Addison. Having grown up in the Daves, her meals had always been at upscale restaurants, and the events she attended were set in refined, elegant surroundings. As a child, she rarely had the chance to go shopping with her family. Anything she needed was procured by the housekeeper and delivered directly to her. With a natural talent for pharmacy, Addison had been introduced to Herbs Valley by her grandfather at just three years old to learn about medicinal herbs. She spent most of her time there rather than at Dave Residence. Unlike the luxurious Dave Residence, Herbs Valley was a serene retreat deep in the mountains, surrounded by ancient forests. She spent her days immersed in the world of medicinal herbs. Though isolated, her genuine interest made her enjoy the solitude. Those experiences shaped her poised and graceful demeanor, which she carried effortlessly. Meanwhile, Ryan got out of the car and walked around to open the passenger door for her. "Let's go," he said with a smile. Addison stepped out, and the vibrant energy of the street washed over her like a wave, enveloping her in its warmth. The liveliness outside was far more intense than it had seemed from inside the car. The air buzzed with a friendly, joyous vibe. To her surprise, she found herself enjoying it. She had always assumed she disliked noisy, crowded places. But today, that assumption seemed incorrect. "Do you come here often?" Addison asked as they walked side by side through the busy street. "Not really," Ryan replied after a moment. "I haven't been here many times." As he thought back, he realized it was true.His parents had always opposed his pursuit of pharmaceuticals, constantly trying to dissuade him. After every argument, Ryan would come here to clear his mind. This street had become his little escape. Today, he wanted to share it with the person walking beside him. Glancing at Addison, who was studying her surroundings with curiosity and an attentive expression, her eyes sparkling, Ryan couldn't help but smile. "I thought you were a regular here," Addison said, her gaze lingering on the delicious-looking food displayed at the stalls. Ryan suppressed his smile quickly. "Not really. I'm usually busy, and this place is pretty far from the lab. Even if I want to come, I rarely have the time." He paused, reflecting. Over the past year, with his parents finally easing their opposition, his visits here had become less frequent. "That makes sense," Addison nodded. "But if you ever feel like coming, you should. As long as the lab work isn't urgent, you should take a break." Ryan nodded in agreement. After walking about 600 feet, he gestured to a small alley. "This way." Leading the way, he guided her down a quieter, longer street. Unlike the bustling main road, this one was much calmer, with fewer people around. At the end of the street stood a modest restaurant. It wasn't large or small, but its cozy appearance made it feel welcoming. Addison noticed the place was packed, making it appear smaller from the outside. Yet, upon entering, she realized it was surprisingly spacious. "Here we are," Ryan said, pointing to the restaurant as he stepped inside. He greeted the owner, "Boss, some home-cooked dishes, please." "Sure thing!" replied an elderly man, likely in his 50s, emerging from the back with a warm smile. The wrinkles on his face deepened as he grinned, exuding a kind and gentle energy. "Dr. Daves, come on in!" Ryan called out to Addison, who was still standing near the entrance. He waved her over. She stepped forward, taking in the restaurant's simple but tasteful decor. Everything was neatly arranged, and the atmosphere felt comfortable and inviting.They chose a table and sat down. Despite the number of customers, the food arrived promptly. "Here you go!" the owner called as he carried the dishes to their table. The owner's face lit up with surprise when he saw Ryan. "It's you! Haven't seen you in a while, handsome!" "Do you still remember me?" Ryan smiled. "Of course! You've been here so many times, and you're hard to forget." The owner chuckled, then glanced at Addison. "Brought your girlfriend today?" Ryan's ears turned red instantly. Before Addison could respond, he quickly clarified, "She's not my girlfriend—she's my mentor." The owner looked at Addison with amazement. "Your mentor? She looks so young!" He placed the dishes on the table, adding, "Be careful not to burn yourselves." "Thank you," Addison replied softly. The owner chuckled again. "You're welcome." He gave Ryan a knowing glance before briefly shifting his gaze to Addison. With a meaningful smile, he said to Ryan, "It's been a while since your last visit. Best of luck with everything." With that, he turned and headed back to the kitchen to continue his work. Ryan immediately understood the underlying message in the owner's words. Addison, on the other hand, was puzzled. "The owner here is a bit unusual. Don't think too much about it," Ryan said, scratching the back of his head as he tried to explain. She smiled lightly. "I don't mind. He seems like a kind and interesting person." It wasn't often she saw such a genuine smile on an older man's face. At a nearby table, a plain-dressed woman murmured in astonishment, "Isn't that Ms. Daves? What's she doing here?" The woman was Francesca. She was dining with her husband and son, celebrating her son's birthday. Francesca had taken the day off from looking after Virginia to mark the occasion. Her family lived in the area, and she usually stayed at the apartment to look after Virginia. This restaurant was a local favorite, well-known for its delicious yet affordable dishes. It was highly regarded by the neighborhood residents, and Francesca was no exception. "What are you staring at?" her husband asked, noticing her distracted expression.