"You seem like a foodie too, do all girls like to eat?" Liu Yifeng asked with a smile, not in a mocking tone.
Xia Qianqian's ears turned red, and she retorted defensively, "Who says only girls like to eat? Don't you guys like it just as much? Besides, what is life for if not for filling our bellies with grains and cereals."
"Yes, yes, everyone loves to eat!" Liu Yifeng didn't argue with her any further. He considered himself not a foodie. As long as he had three meals a day, he rarely ate snacks, at most some fruit to supplement his vitamins.
Soon, the steamed chicken was served, wrapped in tin foil. Even before it was opened, Liu Yifeng could smell the aroma of the chicken.
"Wow, it smells so good..." Tong Tong took a deep sniff, his face lighting up with anticipation.
The waiter, wearing gloves, opened the foil. "Please enjoy. Here are the condiments; you can dip them according to your preference!" he said before leaving.
"Thank you!" Liu Yifeng and Xia Qianqian said in unison.
Looking at the tempting, golden-brown steamed chicken, Liu Yifeng's appetite was whetted. "It does look good. How did you find this place?"
Xia Qianqian: "I discovered it while browsing on this pedestrian street. I was hungry, so I came in to eat."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yifeng instinctively asked, "Were you alone?"
"Of course, I was alone. You know I don't have much of a name yet, no assistants, no makeup artists, I even have to share my manager with several other people. So, I go everywhere alone. It's the same with coming here to record this program; the company didn't arrange anyone else for me, and my manager left after I signed the contract with the TV station!" Xia Qianqian said these words with an air of ease.
But the more she appeared relaxed, the more Liu Yifeng understood her inner disappointment. However, since Tong Tong said she would become famous later, she surely would. So, he comforted her, "It's okay, everyone starts from being unknown to being famous. Someone as hardworking and talented as you will surely be worth millions in the future!"
Hearing Liu Yifeng's simple and blunt consolation, Xia Qianqian burst into laughter. "Okay, if it really turns out like you say, I'll get you a set of gold teeth."
Liu Yifeng couldn't help but imagine himself going out with a mouth full of gold teeth, then being targeted by criminals, knocked unconscious, and having his gold teeth drilled out. He shuddered. "Let's forget about that. I don't like to flaunt myself. Whatever it is, the original is best. My own teeth are quite good."
Seeing Liu Yifeng's reaction, Xia Qianqian's mood brightened. "Then I won't put them in your mouth, I'll keep them at home for safekeeping!"
"Let's stop talking about teeth and eat the chicken!" Liu Yifeng saw that the chicken was no longer too hot. He put on disposable gloves, pulled off a chicken leg, and placed it in Xia Qianqian's bowl.
Xia Qianqian quickly said, "This chicken leg should be for Tong Tong. I'll eat another part." As she spoke, she tried to give it to Tong Tong.
But Liu Yifeng stopped her. "You eat one, Tong Tong eats one. It's just right. We should learn to share, shouldn't we, Tong Tong?"
Tong Tong nodded obediently. "Yes, Daddy is right. Aunt Xia, you eat it. One chicken leg is enough for me."
Looking at the well-behaved Tong Tong, Xia Qianqian smiled warmly. "Okay, then Aunt Xia won't be polite." She put on gloves and started eating the chicken leg. Liu Yifeng gave the other chicken leg to Tong Tong and took a chicken wing for himself.
"Mmm, this chicken melts in your mouth, and there's no gamey taste at all. It's delicious!" Liu Yifeng was amazed by the taste after just one bite.
"See, I wasn't lying to you, this steamed chicken is really delicious. You can also dip it in chili powder, but I prefer it plain; it's more flavorful! I asked the waiter earlier, and he said their chickens are marinated for twenty-four hours in advance, and the seasonings are all secret recipes. They're the only restaurant in the city that can achieve this texture!" Xia Qianqian said, her mouth full of chicken, while still introducing it to Liu Yifeng.
Tong Tong perfectly embodied the term "little foodie," diligently working his way through the leg, quickly finishing the large chicken drumstick.
"Tong Tong, why are you eating so fast? I haven't finished yet!" Xia Qianqian widened her eyes in surprise, looking at the chicken leg that was now just bones.
However, Tong Tong's next reply left her speechless. "Because you and Daddy were too busy talking, of course, I ate faster than you!"
"You child! Tong Tong, what else do you want to eat? Aunt Xia will get it for you!" Xia Qianqian pursed her lips into a smile, amused by Tong Tong's words.
By then, most of the dishes had been served. Tong Tong then expressed his desire for white rice. So, Xia Qianqian asked the waiter to bring a portion of rice.
Just as Liu Yifeng was about to serve Tong Tong, Xia Qianqian beat him to it. "I'll serve it."
Seeing someone completely taking over his role, Liu Yifeng felt a lot more relaxed. With such a well-behaved and sensible son like Tong Tong, everyone was eager to dote on him, which truly saved him, the father, a lot of trouble.
After dinner, it was around eight o'clock. Xia Qianqian paid the bill and then took the father and son for a walk nearby.
"Tong Tong, are you cold?" Xia Qianqian asked caringly as they walked.
"I'm not cold!" Tong Tong shook his head.
Even though it was late at night, past eight o'clock, and a cold wind was blowing, the streets were still quite crowded. Soon, they arrived at Wuyi Square, where many vendors were selling small toys, attracting many children. However, most of these toys were rather childish and didn't appeal to Tong Tong, who preferred educational and hands-on toys.
At this moment, a little girl's cries caught their attention. In the center of the square stood a little girl, about Tong Tong's age, crying helplessly. There was no adult accompanying her; she seemed to be lost. Most of the passersby looked on indifferently. Some seemed to want to help, but for some reason, they didn't approach.
This was a crowded place, and there could be kidnappers around. Without hesitation, Liu Yifeng took Tong Tong's hand and walked over. Xia Qianqian also didn't want to stand by and watch; she walked to the little girl's side with Liu Yifeng.
Seeing the little girl crying profusely, she bent down and asked gently, "Little one, why are you here by yourself? Where are your mommy and daddy?"
However, the little girl didn't answer, just continued to cry, leaving Xia Qianqian unsure of what to do. Liu Yifeng guessed that the little girl might be scared and said, "She might have gotten lost from her family. Let's call the police. We'll leave after the police arrive."
Xia Qianqian nodded in agreement. "Okay, I'll make the call!"