Quake or steak? Hungry boy flees earthquake but runs back for one more bite

When a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck Qingyuan, Guangdong, most residents dropped their chopsticks and bolted for safety - except one chubby little foodie who simply couldn’t abandon dinner mid-bite.

Home surveillance footage of the hilarious moment has gone viral, dubbing the boy "Rice Rescue Brother" as he prioritized carbs over calamity.

The clip shows the boy and his family having a meal when the tremors hit. His father immediately hustled the kids to run for safety, but just as they reached the door, the boy had an existential crisis: "Oh no! I haven’t finished my meal!"

Ignoring seismic risks, he sprinted back to the table, shoveled two frantic mouthfuls of rice, and - in a stroke of genius - spun the lazy Susan to grab a plate of meatloaf before attempting his great escape.

His exasperated dad scolded him into surrendering the contraband dinner, but not before the boy sneakily stuffed in a few last bites.

Netizens crowned him the internet’s new hero: "When life gives you earthquakes, you secure the protein first," joked one.

Others praised his tactical thinking: "The lazy Susan spin was a masterstroke." Some theorized his logic: "If we get buried, at least I’ll die full."

The boy’s unwavering commitment to mealtime has sparked global applause, proving that for some, no natural disaster outweighs an unfinished plate. As one fan put it: "Priorities: 1. Food, 2. Survival. Respect."

(Marco Lam)

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