If she always paints his portraits, it means she has to frequently think of him.

Ivan Horne cleverly makes Lia Aiken often think of him, yet Lia hasn't quite grasped the meaning behind his words, assuming his favorite thing is still his portrait. She laughed, "Alright, whenever I have time, I'll paint more of your portraits."

The two walked out of the room still chatting and laughing.

The distance between them seemed to shrink instantly.

As they left the hotel, Lia suggested, "Ivan, let's walk, the Gourmet Street isn't far from the hotel. The crowd is too large, driving won't be as convenient as walking."

Ivan cooperated, "Sure, it's perfect. Walking back after eating serves as a post-meal stroll to aid digestion."

And so, Ivan accompanied a woman outside of his family for the first time to shop and enjoy gourmet food.

Though Lia is the eldest daughter of the Aiken Family, her relationship with her father isn't good, so she hasn't been living a carefree life. She's like a unique heiress, dressed in luxury but practically living a simple life.

Therefore, she indulges in street snacks.

Undeniably, these snacks are delicious.

Ivan, having grown up, always had exquisite meals, eating street snacks like tonight was a groundbreaking first for him.

Initially, Lia worried he might disdain them, or that he'd find them unappetizing. Later, seeing him relish them, she let go of her fears and led him all around, tasting the Gourmet Street without even eating a proper meal, yet they were full.

Lia treated them.

Anyhow, these snacks didn't cost much, so Ivan didn't argue to pay, allowing Lia to treat him once. She'd feel better, not owing him too much.

"I'm so full." After finishing a grilled chicken wing, Lia contentedly wiped her mouth with a napkin.

Ivan had already finished his grilled chicken wing, holding a juice cup and sipping it elegantly.

Having spent the whole evening with him, Lia noticed how Ivan ate everything with elegance, even while walking and eating like her; his dining manner was more graceful than many, making her feel inferior.

Their presence attracted a lot of attention, with a handsome man and a pretty woman, they became the most dazzling duo on the Gourmet Street tonight.

"Can you still eat? I can accompany you some more." Ivan tilted his head with a smile, asking her.

Lia was quite the eater with these snacks.

She really ate from one end of the street to the other.

Lia shook her head, "I can't eat anymore. Ivan, do you think I'm stingy for treating you with street snacks and not a proper meal?"

Ivan shook his head, "Not at all, I actually feel you introduced me to a variety of gourmet treats. I never knew these snacks could be so delicious."

"Whenever I have spare time, I love finding a Gourmet Street like tonight, eating as I walk. It fills me up without costing much, much cheaper than dining at a hotel."

"If there's another chance, remember to bring me along when you visit a Gourmet Street again."

Lia's eyes curved into crescent moons as she laughed, "I dare to bring you here, but not where you're from. Getting captured by the media might damage your image."

He's the CEO of Valence Group, a famous young executive in the business world, viewed by many as up in the clouds.

"Can reputation be eaten? I'd say satisfying the stomach is more important than reputation in front of gourmet food." Ivan never feared reputation damage.

Lia looked at him again, discovering another admirable trait.

"Big brother, this big sister is so pretty!"

Suddenly, a little girl blocked their way. She carried a small, cute flower basket containing about a dozen roses, stopping them and complimenting Lia's beauty with a smile.

Ivan glanced at Lia, nodded in response to the girl's words, "She is indeed pretty."

The girl followed up, "Big brother, since this big sister is so pretty, why don't you buy a flower for her? My mom says fresh flowers suit beauties, and the big sister here is a beauty. I happen to have flowers."

Lia bent down with a smile, gently asking the girl, "Little sister, how old are you?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Big sister, I'm nine years old this year."

"How come you're out selling flowers at such a young age? Is it your family's idea?"

The girl shook her head, "It's my idea. My mom runs a Flower Shop, but business hasn't been good, leaving many flowers unsold. My mom worries; without selling flowers, we can't earn money, and without money, my mom can't afford my schooling. So, after finishing my homework, I help my mom sell flowers; selling one is one less to wilt and rot in the store."