Chapter 1520: Chapter 1520: Don’t Waste
Anyway, I’ve gotten used to being generous, and when he eats, he likes to order a lot of food. Because he likes variety, he doesn’t eat just one dish, so he doesn’t feel anything about it. But when Zhu Ya said this, he was taken aback: "This really isn’t much. Besides, if you two can’t finish it, there’s me. If we really can’t finish it, just toss it out—no need to hurt your stomach."
Hearing Xiao Zhen’s words, Zhu Ya was speechless. Chairman Xiao indeed has deep pockets; he doesn’t care about such a small amount, but wasting food is still not good.
Zhu Ya hadn’t said anything yet, but Mengmeng blinked her eyes, like a little adult, glancing at Xiao Zhen, conflicted about not taking the things she likes.
Mengmeng loves the grilled chicken wings at this place, but now she hesitates to touch them because there’s so much, and if she can’t finish them, they’ll go to waste. Plus, it seems like her uncle doesn’t really care.
"Mengmeng, why aren’t you eating? Uncle brought these especially for you."
Xiao Zhen was very curious. Was it because today’s food wasn’t delicious? Or perhaps Mengmeng was too worried about them and lost interest in the food. No matter the reason, Xiao Zhen felt quite guilty.
At this moment, Mengmeng looked at the food on the table and swallowed her saliva. Of course, she liked these foods, but there were so many that she couldn’t finish them, which was such a waste. And her uncle kept asking, making it irresistible.
"Uncle, I like all these things, but there’s so much that Mengmeng can’t finish, and I’m afraid it’ll waste your kindness. Maybe you should take it back to your family, I’m really sorry. Wasting food is shameful, and Mom will scold me."
Zhu Ya has always been thrifty and would never waste food, so she taught Mengmeng from a young age not to waste. Naturally, Mengmeng remembered this deeply.
Seeing Xiao Zhen so lavish, Mengmeng pointed it out immediately, while Xiao Zhen was stunned, feeling like he was outdone by a child, bringing him even more shame.
"Uncle wasn’t paying attention today, which is why I ordered so much. But I promise in the future, I won’t waste food anymore. Can Mengmeng eat now? If Mengmeng can’t finish, Uncle can take it for others to eat."
Better not burden this child; otherwise, she might really not pick up her chopsticks, so Xiao Zhen had to think of a compromise. Hearing this, Mengmeng’s face broke into a smile.
And then started drooling over the food, which smelled so delicious. She had wanted to eat it since entering, but held back due to guests.
Zhu Ya finally looked at Xiao Zhen in a new light, surprised that he could coax a child. The child, educated this way from a young age, absolutely wouldn’t waste food. Xiao Zhen’s actions earlier seemed really bad in the child’s eyes.
For some reason, Zhu Ya couldn’t help but think of that guy Zhang Shuai, who never spent a decent meal with his daughter. Always busy with social engagements, if his daughter wanted to be close to her dad, Zhang Shuai would push her away or directly criticize her for being childish.
At that time, the daughter was especially fearful. Zhang Shuai never approached his father voluntarily. This was the first adult, other than Dad, that she was willing to be close to.
Moreover, Xiao Zhen, as Chairman Xiao, should be honored, not needing to lower himself to their customs. Yet, Xiao Zhen kept accommodating his daughter, showing that Chairman Xiao’s affection for his daughter was famous and notable, including for Xiao Keyi. No wonder Zhu Ya envied Xiao Keyi for having such a father.
If her daughter had such a father, she would surely be very happy. Unfortunately, that guy Zhang Shuai could never give his daughter the fatherly love she deserves, continually hurting her.
Watching the two of them happily eat, even cheering with their chicken wings.
Zhu Ya showed a gentle smile as she looked at Xiao Zhen, who noticed Zhu Ya was still having a headache, so he asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Zhu Ya hastily shook her head, and Mengmeng stopped eating too, staring at Zhu Ya.
Xiao Zhen frowned, "Since you’re not unwell, why not eat with us? You just got off work not long ago, right? Join us—it’s rare for the child to see you so happy."
Thus, Zhu Ya remembered it was because of this reason, nodding and picking up the skewer next to her to eat. The taste here is indeed good.
However, Zhu Ya would never spend lavishly before, saving all she could for her daughter, hoping her daughter would receive the best education, so she kept working hard.
Her daughter often craved snacks, especially while growing, frequently asking Zhu Ya for goodies. Zhu Ya would try to fulfill her daughter’s little wishes but was never so indulgent herself.
Mengmeng kept staring at her mom, used to thinking her mom didn’t like these foods, that her mom only liked light foods. But now, her mom seemed to be enjoying the food.
"Mom, did you save all the money for Mengmeng to buy snacks, and not eat yourself?"
Mengmeng blurted out, while Zhu Ya’s face turned red, surprised the child asked directly—how to explain this? Xiao Zhen raised his gaze to Zhu Ya, wondering if this was true. If so, this mother and child must be having a hard time.
To dispel Xiao Zhen’s doubts, Zhu Ya quickly shook her head and stuffed a small bread into Mengmeng’s hand: "What are you thinking? Your mom is the Finance Department Director, how would she skimp on herself? That’s absolutely not the case. Today, I just haven’t had dinner, so I’m eating a bit with you. Mom doesn’t like these things, so don’t talk nonsense. Plus, your uncle’s here. If you keep talking nonsense, you won’t sleep with me tonight."
Mengmeng, half believing, kept eating. If Mom wouldn’t sleep with her tonight, that would be terrifying, so Mengmeng closed her mouth, focusing on eating the little bread.
And Xiao Zhen understood. So Zhu Ya liked her child this much, doing everything for her, even prioritizing her own meals—perhaps this is the greatest motherly love in the world.
He sighed, wondering how as the Finance Department’s director, she wasn’t lacking money yet lived this difficultly?
With differing thoughts, everyone finished the meal. Mengmeng was a bit tired, yet hadn’t washed her hands. Zhu Ya instructed Mengmeng to wash her hands, and Mengmeng did so, noticing Zhu Ya and Xiao Zhen chatting, feeling shy about intruding. Besides, she was tired, so she lay on the bed and went to sleep.
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