Xi’an and Hangzhou —1,300 kilometers apart. The distance was enough to turn the flavor of sweet and sour spare ribs into two distinct styles: one from Sichuan cuisine, the other from Zhejiang cuisine.
In Sichuan cuisine, sweet and sour spare ribs are a famous cold dish, prepared through deep-frying. The fiery heat of the oil embodies the bold and spicy nature of Sichuan cuisine, with scallions, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns adding an extra kick to the dish.
In contrast, Zhejiang’s sweet and sour spare ribs belong to the braised category of dishes. They feature rich ingredients and meticulous preparation, reflecting the finesse of southern cooking, delivering a dish that’s visually appealing, aromatic, and flavorful.
The day Song Xiaoci returned to Hangzhou, Gu Nan confessed to her.
“Gu Nan, I’m back in Hangzhou! My phone was out of battery, so I couldn’t contact you earlier!”
“Did you enjoy my secret recipe sweet and sour spare ribs?”
“They were delicious! Someone even asked me where I bought them!”
“Would you like to eat them for the rest of your life?”
Hearing the sudden silence on the other end of the call, Gu Nan felt a little nervous.
“Xiaoci, if you’re not ready…” He hadn’t finished his sentence when he heard her soft laughter.
“Yes… I would.”
“Then I’ll make them for you forever.”
And so, this chapter doesn’t feature anyone eating sweet and sour spare ribs. Instead, it serves up the dog food of a budding long-distance relationship. Gu Nan and Song Xiaoci, brought together by sweet and sour spare ribs, started their journey as a couple.
That day, Gu Nan posted a rare update on his social media:
[Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs. Song Xiaoci.]
The accompanying photo? A snapshot of their first meeting — Song Xiaoci adorably enjoying sweet and sour spare ribs.
The comment section exploded. Gu Nan, the perpetually single man, was actually in a relationship.
Meanwhile, Song Xiaoci also posted an update on her food blog featuring her food adventures in Xi’an.
The blog’s latest feature image? A picture of the sweet and sour spare ribs Gu Nan had made.
[May this person inspire me to turn life’s sharp edges into the gentlest broth.
May this person help me store my hopes for life as the most delicious moments in time.]
Foodies were equally stunned.
L1: Song Xiaoci must be in love! How else could she write something so heartfelt and tender?
L2: Oh no, we just got served a big helping of dog food without realizing it!
L3: And OMG, it’s sweet-and-sour flavored—how creative!
What others didn’t know was that Xiaoci had quietly added Gu Nan as a keyword on her public platform. It was a small surprise, a tiny and warm gift she wanted to give him.
lazyfujoshy On CFRFGC Chapter 87