A rural girl became widely known on Chinese social media for leaving braised shrimps while finishing other food on her plate in September. When asked what's that for, she replied with a shy smile, " I want to save these shrimps for my mom."

Eight-year-old Zhang Xiaoxiao is a student at Erlangmiao Primary School in Taikang county, central China's Henan Province. The school is attended by many rural left-behind children, whose parents had no choice but to seek work elsewhere to support their families. Free, nutritious lunches are provided to students at the school.

Zhang Xiaoxiao

Xiaoxiao is one of those left behind. Her father is a migrant worker, a breadwinner, while her mother suffers from an illness and cannot not handle strenuous labor.

Seeing the difficulties in her family, Xiaoxiao often expresses great care to her mother in her own way. Whenever she receives fruits and milk from the school, she would bring the food home for her sick mother instead of enjoying the food herself.

Zhang Xiaoxiao finished all vegetables and rice of the school lunch but left four shrimps in her plate. (Photo: CCTV News)

"Every time Xiaoxiao brings food home she would explain that the amount is more than she can eat, but I know it's because she cares about my health and would like me to get more nutrition," said Xiaoxiao's mother. "As a kid, she is so considerate and I will always save the food for her too."

Caring for her mother's health, Xiaoxiao has once said that she would like to become a doctor. To her father, Xiaoxiao is always a source of relief. In their video calls, Xiaoxiao has promised several times that she would take good care of her mother.

Xiaoxiao and his mother (Photo: CCTV News)

Xiaoxiao has received many donations, including shrimps, new clothes and stationery, from those who have been touched by her story.

(Original story by CCTV News)