Zhao Xiaohua had been possessive about food since she was little, the whole Zhao Family was aware of this.
So, seeing the Cloud Cake in Zhao Xiaohua's hand, a subtle expression appeared on Zhao Xiaoshu's face.
"I don't like desserts," Zhao Xiaoshu said sullenly.
"Just eat it, it's really tasty. It melts in your mouth and is sweet," Zhao Xiaohua said with a pained look, but still forcefully stuffing it into Zhao Xiaoshu's hand, "Hurry up and eat, or else I won't be able to resist eating it all. By then, even if you want it, there won't be any left."
The mother suddenly wanted to be nice to Xiaoshu, so the sister showed love to her brother, which would surely please the mother.
If the mother was happy, she would definitely share the goodies made for Xiaoshu with her.
So, she wouldn't lose out.
"Xiaoshu, this is your sister's gesture of kindness, you should eat it. If you don't, your sister will be upset," Meng Yao said softly.
Born closely together, even as twins, Zhao Xiaoshu had once envied Zhao Xiaohua greatly.
Envy turned to jealousy.
Clearly, they were the same. So why was the mother gentle and patient with Xiaohua, but full of dislike toward him?
Now, the mother was also patient with him, but he always felt it wasn't real.
"Will you always treat me well? Just like you do with Xiaohua," Zhao Xiaoshu calmly observed Meng Yao.
"Don't rush to answer, take your time to think about it," Zhao Xiaoshu added immediately.
Meng Yao looked at Zhao Xiaoshu gently, "I know the past actions deeply hurt you. Even if I change in the future, what happened can't be undone. So, whether you resent or hate, it's your normal emotion. I won't force you to forgive me."
Tears shimmered in Zhao Xiaoshu's eyes.
"In the future, I'll use my patience and love to heal the wounds in your heart."
To prevent Zhao Xiaoshu from becoming embittered in the future, she must use love to soften him.
Zhao Xiaoshu didn't speak, but simply took a piece of Cloud Cake and ate it, soft and sweet, melting in his mouth.
It was really delicious.
Meng Yao smiled, knowing she couldn't rush things, everything was moving forward gradually.
"Xiaohua, Xiaoshu should rest now. Let's go," Meng Yao stood up.
"I'll leave these for you. If you get hungry at night, just have some," Zhao Xiaohua generously placed the remaining Cloud Cakes on the side table by the bed.
Meng Yao instructed Zhao Xiaohua not to eat at night again, to which Zhao Xiaohua responded casually, knowing her mother wouldn't find out if she did.
"Don't think I don't know what you're up to." Meng Yao followed Zhao Xiaohua into her room, to Zhao Xiaohua's shock, she raided and seized all her snacks.
"Mom!" Zhao Xiaohua's voice trembled.
"I'm taking all these back to my room. Don't worry, I won't let you eat them," Meng Yao said slowly, "From now on, after dinner, you're not allowed to eat anything else."
Eating at night not only causes weight gain but also puts a burden on the stomach. Over time, the stomach is bound to develop problems.
As a competent doctor, she certainly had to help these kids develop good habits.
Zhao Xiaohua felt utterly hopeless, she had just visited her aunt's house for two days, so why had her mother suddenly stopped loving her?
"Mom, you said I'm growing and tend to get hungry, so I should eat more," Zhao Xiaohua said pitifully.
"Three meals a day, eaten fully and with enough nutrition, won't hinder your growth. What you eat extra turns into fat. Xiaohua, let me ask you, do you think you look nice right now?" Meng Yao questioned.
A slight baby fat is cute.
But being so overweight that you rub your thighs raw while walking, snoring thunderously at night, that affects health.
Furthermore, at this age, bones aren't fully developed; being too fat can damage the hip joints and knee joints.
This damage is irreversible.
Meng Yao remembered videos of a three-year-old eating on Douyin. Parents, to attract viewers, had force-fed the child into a chubby little thing that couldn't even walk easily. It clearly brought great harm to the child's physical and mental health, yet they were still complacent.
At the time, she commented pointing out the dangers of being too obese, only to get scolded back by the parents, saying she was making a fuss, that their child was perfectly healthy in all aspects, and even called her a hater, accusing her of purposefully undermining them.
Meng Yao argued a few more lines and even got reported.
Now that she had time-traveled, she wondered how that child was faring now.
Therefore, whether it was out of a doctor's duty or a mother's responsibility, she couldn't let Zhao Xiaohua continue as she had before.
Zhao Xiaohua felt very wronged, tears welled up in her eyes, "But Mom said earlier that I look nicer a little chubby. Why are you now saying I don't look good?"
"I didn't say you don't look good," Meng Yao quickly comforted her.
"But the way you just spoke, it felt like you were saying I don't look good," big tears rolled down as Zhao Xiaohua choked.
"Before, Mom always felt like Xiaohua hadn't grown up yet, just a kid. And of course, kids look cuter when they are chubby. But just now, didn't Xiaohua say she's a big girl now? That's when Mom realized, my Xiaohua has grown up," Meng Yao patiently comforted Zhao Xiaohua.
"Can't I be chubby when I grow up?" Zhao Xiaohua remained somewhat aggrieved.
Meng Yao thought quickly, "Xiaohua, do you think what Tao Hua wears looks nice?"
Zhao Xiaohua was puzzled but still nodded, "Pretty."
"Then Mom will also take you to get a nice set, okay?" Meng Yao asked.
Zhao Xiaohua was delighted, forgetting her tears, "You're not tricking me, right, Mom?"
She had heard from Tao Hua that the new clothes were a gift from her uncle in town, and they were as expensive as could be.
Many little girls in the village liked them, but they didn't have an uncle like Tao Hua's, so when they asked their families, not only did they not get the clothes, but they also got scolded.
Now, with her mom proactively saying she'd take her to get some, what could make her happier than this?
"Tomorrow, I'll take you to get them," Meng Yao said.
Although the process of making Zhao Xiaohua understand reality was somewhat cruel, it was necessary for her health. Otherwise, this child would always think she no longer loved her.
The sadness of not being able to eat at night was thrown behind by Zhao Xiaohua. Her mind was filled with thoughts of getting clothes as pretty as Tao Hua's tomorrow, then Tao Hua wouldn't be the only one in the village with beautiful clothes, and others would envy her too.
Thinking of the compliments and expressions of envy from her playmates, Zhao Xiaohua was extremely happy.
After soothing Zhao Xiaohua, Meng Yao dragged her weary body back to her room.
Being new to this place, she quickly jumped into roles, from Song to Zhao Xiaoshu, and then to Zhao Xiaohua. As someone with no parenting experience, she was forced into action, soothing one and then the other. She was exhausted physically and mentally.
After a simple wash, Meng Yao fell asleep.
Over on the other side, Zhao Dahe reluctantly returned to his room. Although unwilling, tonight he had to lodge in Zhao Xiaoshu's room.
Yes, lodge.
His room would be this brat's from now on.
He took over his room, shouldn't he be grateful? But this boy was cold as ice, without even a word of thanks. He felt so aggrieved.
"Move over a bit," Zhao Dahe muttered.