Modern life's pressures are immense: healthcare, education, housing, and the everyday needs of a family often leave young people breathless, let alone enjoying life. What Qi Qi earns in the vast city of Beijing doesn't really count for much, especially since she wants to buy a house, she has to be even more frugal.
It's not like having an annual salary of hundreds of thousands now means she can relax and indulge. In reality, she and her son eat at least two meals a day at school. The school's meals aren't very tasty, but at least they fill the stomach. At night, most of the time, she eats takeout with colleagues. Sometimes, a pie and a portion of Cold Rice Noodles might suffice.
Their purpose of eating is to satiate hunger, not for enjoyment, because at this age, it's their time to strive.
