Chapter 7: Daddy Holds Her While Eating  

At the dining table, a feast of various dishes covered the entire surface. Zhao Jiaying was stunned—this amount of food could easily last her and Auntie Yang Xiuhua’s family for several days!  

“Great-grandma, with so much food, is it just the four of us eating?”  

The long, oversized dining table only seated her, Ou Zichen, Ou Zilong, and Lin Zhenzhu, while the butler and servants stood by the side. With such an extravagant spread, there was no way the four of them could finish it all, so she couldn’t help but ask.  

“Yes, Great-grandma wasn’t sure what Yingbao likes to eat, so I had them prepare a variety of dishes. What’s wrong? Do you not like them?”  

That afternoon, after receiving the message, Lin Zhenzhu had instructed the kitchen to begin preparing dinner, ensuring that multiple dishes were made so that at least a few would suit Yingbao’s tastes.  

“No, no! Yingbao likes everything! It’s just that with so much food, it would be such a waste if we can’t finish it all. This entire table of dishes could last Auntie and me for several days…”

Ou Zichen was surprised. Did this child have a difficult life all these years?  

However, he didn’t ask the question, afraid it would make the child sad. But Lin Zhenzhu didn’t overthink it and asked directly.  

“Yingbao, have you suffered a lot these years?”  

Hearing her say that this table full of dishes would last several days, Lin Zhenzhu felt a pang of heartache for Yingbao.  

“No, Yingbao hasn’t suffered at all. Auntie and her family treated Yingbao very well. They always let Yingbao eat first when there was something delicious. If anyone suffered, it was Auntie and her family…”  

At the mention of Yang Xiuhua’s family, Zhao Jiaying seemed a little down. Their family had indeed endured too much hardship.  

Seeing Zhao Jiaying looking sad, Lin Zhenzhu quickly changed the subject.  

“Let’s not talk about this anymore. Yingbao, hurry and eat, or the food will get cold!”  

Zhao Jiaying lifted her head, looked at Lin Zhenzhu seriously, and said: “Great-grandma, from now on, let the chef uncle prepare fewer dishes. There’s no need to cater to Yingbao specifically. Yingbao is not picky and eats everything!”  

Ou Zilong followed up on Zhao Jiaying’s words and continued: “That’s right, Grandma. Listen to Yingbao. Her mommy raised her well and taught her not to waste food. I was already lectured by her about this at lunch. I also think our family wastes too much food. Yingbao said there are still many people who don’t have enough to eat, isn’t that right, Yingbao?”  

Zhao Jiaying nodded vigorously.  

“Yes, Great-grandma! If we save the money we waste, we could use it to feed people who don’t have enough to eat!”  

Seeing how sensible the child was, Lin Zhenzhu felt gratified and grew even more curious about her biological mother. What kind of person could raise such a well-mannered child?  

Ou Zichen was equally curious. If Zhao Jiaying was indeed his biological daughter, what he wanted to know even more was—how did her mother become pregnant with her?  

“Alright, alright! From now on, we’ll do as Yingbao says!”  

Lin Zhenzhu then turned to the housekeeper, Aunt Liu, and said: “Aunt Liu, follow what Young Miss suggested. There can be variety in the dishes, but the portions don’t need to be excessive. Just prepare enough for us to finish each day.”  

“Yes, Madam!”  

“Let’s save today’s leftovers for tomorrow!”  

In the past, they would always throw away any unfinished food, as they never ate leftovers. But now that Zhao Jiaying was here, they had to set a good example for her!  

“Yingbao, do you think Great-grandma’s arrangement is okay?”  

“Mm! Great-grandma is the best!” Zhao Jiaying gave her two small thumbs up.  

“Then let’s eat!”  

Just as they were about to start, Zhao Jiaying suddenly climbed down from her chair and ran toward the living room.  

Lin Zhenzhu and the others were confused and were about to ask when they saw her take a bowl from her backpack and run toward the kitchen. Aunt Liu quickly followed behind.

“Little Young Miss, what do you need? Let Grandma Liu help you!”  

Zhao Jiaying originally wanted to refuse, but the sink was too high for her to reach. So, she politely said,  

“Grandma Liu, I want to wash this bowl, but I can’t reach it. Could you please help me wash it?”  

What a polite and lovable child! Aunt Liu took the bowl from her hands and said: “Alright, alright, Grandma Liu will wash it for you right away!”  

At the dining table, Lin Zhenzhu and the others waited in confusion. She asked: “What’s wrong with Yingbao? Aren’t there already bowls on the table? Why did she go to get another one? Or is she just used to using her own bowl?”  

Ou Zichen also couldn’t figure it out, but Ou Zilong understood the reason and calmly explained: “Grandma, that’s not Yingbao’s bowl—it’s Tangyuan’s bowl. She always prepares food for Tangyuan first before eating herself!”  

Lin Zhenzhu suddenly remembered the little dog, Tangyuan, beside Zhao Jiaying. She looked at it and said: “Tangyuan, you’re really lucky to have such a good owner!”  

“Woof…” Tangyuan wagged its tail in response to Lin Zhenzhu’s words. Indeed, it was very lucky—Zhao Jiaying was the best owner it had ever known!  

A moment later, Aunt Liu handed the cleaned bowl back to Zhao Jiaying. She took it and sweetly said: “Thank you, Grandma Liu!”  

What a well-mannered child! Aunt Liu followed her out with a smile.  

Back at the dining table, Zhao Jiaying struggled to climb onto her chair. Once seated, she prepared to serve food into Tangyuan’s bowl, but the table was simply too big, and she couldn’t reach most of the dishes.  

Seeing her struggle, Ou Zilong took the bowl from her hands and said: “Yingbao, let Second Uncle help you. Just tell me what you want!”  

Zhao Jiaying didn’t refuse and simply said: “Okay, thank you, Second Uncle!”  

She pointed to several dishes in a row, and Ou Zilong took some from each, filling Tangyuan’s bowl to the brim.  

She placed the bowl in front of Tangyuan and said: “Tangyuan, it’s time to eat! But you have to finish all your food—no wasting!”  

Tangyuan obediently lowered its head and began eating seriously.  

Zhao Jiaying climbed back onto her chair, sat properly, and then said to everyone: “Great-grandma, Daddy, Second Uncle, let’s eat!”  

Hearing her words, everyone finally picked up their chopsticks and started eating. Even though she had only been here for a short time, Zhao Jiaying had already won everyone’s hearts, and they followed whatever she said!  

However, this meal was a bit difficult for Zhao Jiaying. She was too small, and the dining table was too high and too big. Sitting in her chair, she struggled to reach the dishes.  

Ou Zichen, who was observant and meticulous, quickly noticed this. Without hesitation, he walked over, picked her up, and placed her on his lap.  

“You little one, you’re too short. You can’t even reach your food properly. Sitting on my lap will make it easier for you to eat!”  

Now sitting on Ou Zichen’s lap, Zhao Jiaying was much higher, and eating became a lot easier. She immediately turned to him with a sweet smile and said: “Thank you, Daddy!”  

Oh no! Was Zhao Jiaying’s smile contagious? Ou Zichen was instantly overwhelmed by her cuteness. Did she have to be this adorable? He felt like the last of his defenses were about to crumble!