Ding Yue explained with a smile to Director Xiao.
It was apparent that Director Xiao was concerned that Ding Yue had prepared some extravagant meal.
But this was not the case.
It was a simple school cafeteria lunch.
If there had to be a difference, it would be the few dishes personally cooked by Ding Yue’s mother Zhang Yuping.
"Absolutely," Ding Yue confirmed with certainty.
"Good, the school cafeteria affects the dietary health of tens of thousands of teachers and students, I will certainly need to have a thorough inspection!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wenxing decided to do some investigation and resolved to have lunch at the Mist City Arts and Science University’s cafeteria.
"Let’s go then, off to the second cafeteria."
Ding Yue led Director Xiao Wenxing towards the second cafeteria, saying, "Director Xiao, we have a very popular campus hot pot restaurant on the third floor of our second cafeteria, you might want to try it out when you are off-duty, the flavor is excellent."
While speaking, Ding Yue started to promote the campus’ hot pot restaurant.
"Really? That’s good, I’ll try it out during a rest period when I have some spare time." Xiao Wenxing had actually heard of the popular campus hot pot restaurant at Mist City Arts and Science University.
In his spare time, during vacations, he could come and taste for himself to see if it really is as authentically tasty as claimed online.
Xiao Wenxing was a long-time resident of Mist City, with a palate that could easily taste whether the hot pot was authentic or not.
Ding Yue led Director Xiao Wenxing and a few others from the Education Bureau to the university’s second cafeteria.
"Good noon Principal Ding, the spicy chicken today is delicious!"
"Hello Principal Ding, haha, I got the 9.9 yuan lobster meal at noon, it’s delightful!"
As they stepped into the second cafeteria, students greeted Principal Ding enthusiastically and shared their "discoveries" in the school cafeteria that day.
As Ding Yue did not disclose Director Xiao Wenxing’s visit to the teachers and students in advance, many students did not realize that the middle-aged man wearing glasses who came with Ding Yue was the Director of the Mist City Education Bureau.
From the smiles on the students’ faces and their enthusiastic greetings to Principal Ding, Xiao Wenxing could see that Principal Ding was highly respected by the students, and the school cafeteria was a popular dining spot among them.
Many university cafeterias are not so popular, and are rather desolate, with students preferring to order food delivery rather than eating in the school cafeteria.
Compared to them, the bustling cafeteria of Mist City Arts and Science University gave Xiao Wenxing a different impression.
He could tell at a glance that this wasn’t some contrived scene from the school authorities; it was just the usual state of affairs.
Xiao Wenxing had encountered situations during inspections of other universities where the management would try to create an illusion of popularity for the cafeteria.
But Xiao Wenxing had keen eyes, spotting immediately whether an arrangement was staged or real.
This can be seen from the expression and behavior of students during meals.
The students in Mist City Arts and Science University’s cafeteria had genuine and carefree smiles on their faces, enjoying their meals wholeheartedly.
Director Xiao Wenxing first inspected the dishes at the cafeteria window.
The dishes indeed looked impressive. Even from a distance, he could smell the aroma, and the prices were very reasonable.
On top of that, the school cafeteria also offered half-priced small bowls of food.
"These half-priced small bowls are quite a good idea, with suitable portions and half the price. Most importantly, it avoids waste. Very good, very good."
Director Xiao Wenxing had high praise for the half-priced small bowls.
"In terms of food conservation, our school’s propaganda and practice are both very effective," Ding Yue commented with a smile.
Frugality is, after all, a virtuous tradition ingrained in China over thousands of years.
"Just now, I noticed that students can get fruits at several entrances of the cafeteria. Are these the post-meal fruits arranged by the school?" Director Xiao Wenxing asked curiously.
Ding Yue immediately explained: "Director Xiao, the cafeteria launched a campaign to swap empty plates for fruits after the meal, in order to encourage everyone not to waste food."
"That’s a great idea!"
Upon hearing this, Director Xiao Wenxing praised Ding Yue and Mist City Arts and Science University again.
There was indeed a lot of positive energy in this private university.
"Director Xiao, my mother made a few home-cooked dishes. Let’s go and give them a try." Ding Yue led Director Xiao Wenxing to an empty table in the cafeteria.
Then Zhang Yuping, Ding Yue’s mom, brought over the cooked dishes.
The food looked similar to those offered at the cafeteria windows, and there was not an excessive amount to result in waste since Ding Yue had told her the number of people dining.
Experienced cook Zhang Yuping prepared the food according to the quantity needed, which basically avoided waste.
When Xiao Wenxing saw that the dishes were largely similar to those in the cafeteria, full of common meat and vegetable dishes you would find at any university canteen, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
After all, Xiao Wenxing was worried that after agreeing to have lunch with Principal Ding in the cafeteria, the cafeteria might arrange a lavish feast.