MGTSSSR Chapter 3

In August, the scorching heat in Xi’an made even air-conditioned rooms set at 16°C feel unbearably hot. Lying listlessly from the heat, Xiaoci received a call from Mr. Gu.

 

He said he was going to drive her to the mountains later for a picnic with his friends and colleagues to escape the summer heat.

 

Feeling a little guilty about freeloading on so many meals, Xiaoci hesitated at first. But when Mr. Gu mentioned that a farmhouse restaurant in the mountains served incredible sweet and sour spare ribs, her foodie instincts kicked in—especially when it came to her favorite dish.

 

In the car, Mr. Gu explained that his friends and colleagues had teased him, insisting he bring a girlfriend along. Being single, he had no one else to ask but Xiaoci.

 

The situation sounded a bit like something out of a novel, but Xiaoci didn’t think much of it. She was simply looking forward to enjoying good food, having fun, and repaying Mr. Gu for the meals he had treated her to before.

 

During the drive, Mr. Gu played songs by Xue Zhi Qian. It wasn’t that he was a fan—his niece had commandeered his car’s USB drive during a summer school run the other day and left her playlist behind, saying, “Uncle, this will help you improve your flirting skills!”

 

WTF. Just how much did kids these days know? That said, Xiaoci seemed to enjoy Xue Zhi Qian’s music, singing along to every song. Her voice was exactly the type he liked.

 

When they arrived, Mr. Gu’s friends and colleagues were welcoming and easygoing. Some went fishing, others played cards or prepared the barbecue. Everyone had their own task, and Xiaoci felt comfortable, neither out of place nor treated differently.

 

Mr. Gu and Xiaoci were in charge of ordering the dishes. Handing her the menu, Mr. Gu watched her serious expression and couldn’t help but admit how much she had grown on him over the course of their meetings. From her shy smile when she first stood before him with a plate of sweet and sour ribs, to her playful eye rolls during their private kitchen dinners, and even her myriad little expressions during their casual evening meals—he found them all utterly captivating.

 

“Do your friends or colleagues have any dietary restrictions?” she asked.

 

“Nope. Just order whatever you like.”

 

“Alright~”

 

Xiaoci requested paper and a pen from the owner and quickly jotted down her selections. As she reviewed the dishes with the owner, Mr. Gu discreetly added another order of sweet and sour ribs.

 

“Don’t go overboard—one serving is enough,” Xiaoci said, pouting at him with feigned annoyance.

 

Mr. Gu, taking advantage of his height, gave her a head pat. “I’m not going overboard. Those brats all love sweet and sour ribs.”

 

Though Xiaoci had noticed that Mr. Gu didn’t seem particularly fond of sweet and sour or sour flavors in general, she figured he didn’t dislike them either—after all, he had eaten quite a bit of the wasabi-flavored sweet and sour ribs the other day.

 

When the dishes were served, everyone gathered around the table and marveled at how well-balanced and surprising the meal was, with its perfect mix of meat and vegetables—and two orders of sweet and sour ribs.

 

“Wow, boss! Sweet and sour ribs? I thought you hated that flavor?”

 

Mr. Gu’s ears turned slightly red. “Eat it or leave it. If you don’t want it, get lost!”

 

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal—except Xiaoci.

 

First, she was surprised to learn that Gu Nan disliked sweet and sour dishes, a fact she hadn’t noticed at all.

 

Second, she realized two servings of sweet and sour ribs weren’t nearly enough. She barely got to eat any!

 

Of course, her little sulking expressions didn’t escape Mr. Gu’s watchful eyes. He knew her frustration stemmed from not being able to savor her favorite dish.

 

After lunch, someone suggested going fruit-picking at the orchard. With peaches, grapes, and watermelons ripe for the taking, everyone had a great time. When Xiaoci took a break and sat alone on the grass near the orchard, she noticed that Mr. Gu had been gone for a while.

 

Moments later, he reappeared with a plate of sweet and sour ribs, infused with a fruity aroma, in his large hands.

 

“I figured someone wasn’t full,” he teased.

 

Without saying a word, Xiaoci accepted the plate and looked up at Mr. Gu.

 

“Go ahead and eat. I asked the owner to make a special batch of fruit-flavored sweet and sour ribs just for you.”

 

“Gu Nan, thank you!”

 

“If you really want to thank me, cook me a big meal before you leave for Hangzhou.”

 

“Alright!”

 

The peach juice added a refreshing twist to the dish, and the grapes provided vibrant color. Hidden among the ingredients were thin white strips of watermelon rind, which Xiaoci only realized after taking a bite. She had tried orange-flavored sweet and sour ribs before, but she much preferred this version, with its thoughtful touch of fruitiness from Mr. Gu.

 

Gu Nan, thank you for bringing warmth and kindness to me in this unfamiliar city.