Nothing But Thirty Episode 11 Recap
> Nothing But Thirty Recap
After spending the night together, Wang Manni couldn't help but glance at Liang Zhengxian's ring finger. As he woke, he assured her, "There's no ring and I'm not married either. I'm single." Wang Manni mused that it seemed a bit late for him to consider this. As Liang Zhengxian got dressed, Wang Manni noticed several unopened shopping bags from her store on the floor.
Feeling flustered, she quickly apologized, clarifying that she had never had a relationship with customers from her workplace. Liang Zhengxian gently dismissed her explanation, saying she was overthinking as he wasn't her customer and they hadn't met at her shop. He explained that he had come in a rush and needed clothes, reassuring her that he respected her and wouldn't visit her workplace in the future if she felt uncomfortable.
He then asked her why she had rejected him on the cruise ship. Wang Manni admitted that she disliked one-night stands and was not that casual. When he pressed her on why she had sought him out now, she explained that his sudden appearance in her familiar environment felt more real than the surreal Northern Lights. At her age, she preferred things she could "watch closely and things I can grab."
Gu Jia had found a nursing home for her father and personally made his bed. Her father initially questioned the spacious room, suggesting a single room would suffice, but Gu Jia explained that after living in an 80-ping home, they couldn't settle for less. While making the bed, her father recalled making her bed when she went to high school. Gu Jia mentioned she was sixteen then, and clarified she was fourteen when her mother passed away.
Gu Jia confessed that her determination to attend boarding school for high school stemmed from the awkwardness they experienced after her mother's death. She revealed a painful memory from eighth grade when she got her first period, and though she suffered intensely and even vomited on her way to school, she couldn't bring herself to tell him. Her father admitted he had guessed at the time.
Gu Jia realized that they both had many things they couldn't or wouldn't tell each other over the years. Understanding that her father insisted on moving to the nursing home to avoid becoming her burden, Gu Jia reconciled herself by seeing other residents his age there. She hoped he would find someone to confide in about things he couldn't tell his daughter, comparing it to sending him to a boarding school.
Xu Huanshan was overjoyed that the order with Mr. Yu was nearing completion. He declared it a huge order that would allow him to finally relax after two stressful months, acknowledging Gu Jia's significant contribution. Gu Jia, ever practical, immediately thought about the initial payment, planning to use it to pay their employees' two months of overdue salaries and repay Shen Jie. Xu Huanshan wanted to reward her, asking what gift she desired.
Gu Jia playfully brushed him off, saying she'd ask for a big gift in six months when the company's profits were more stable. But when Xu Huanshan insisted, she revealed her true wish: to redeem all the shares of their insurance policy. Her insurance agent warned her that this would mean losing both interest and some principal, and repurchasing it later would be difficult.
Gu Jia, however, explained that she needed the money urgently, and the agent agreed to process it as soon as possible. Zhong Xiaoyang diligently helped Zhong Xiaoqin complete difficult work tasks, much to the surprise of their colleagues who doubted he could handle them. Zhong Xiaoqin observed him charming clients, repeatedly calling them "Sister" during his calls.
After he successfully settled five challenging shops, Zhong Xiaoqin confronted him, accusing him of specifically choosing those shops because the people in charge were female. She remarked sarcastically that she always thought only women used their looks in the workplace, and she felt foolish for gathering detailed information for him when he only needed "to flash a smile to get the contracts signed."
Zhong Xiaoyang was confused by her sudden anger, but she continued, asking if he called everyone "Sister" and instructing him not to call her "Sister" anymore, stating she wasn't as casual as he was. She declared that ever since they delivered packages together, she had realized they were not the same kind of people. During a weekend gathering, Gu Jia and Zhong Xiaoqin learned about Wang Manni's recent intimacy with Liang Zhengxian.
Gu Jia teasingly remarked that Wang Manni was "no longer single," but Wang Manni clarified they hadn't formally confirmed their relationship. Gu Jia pressed, asking if she truly liked him and wanted to pursue the relationship. Wang Manni admitted she did, drawn by his qualities of being single, rich, and interesting, yet found it "too good that it isn't realistic."
Gu Jia then voiced her concern that someone with such excellent qualifications might not actually be single or could have been married before. Wang Manni asked if there was a way to investigate him, and Gu Jia suggested she take a photo of the first page of his passport during their next meeting so she could have someone look into it.
Later, Gu Jia consulted her friends about her plan to take over a small shop that was closing that weekend to open a dessert shop. Her intention was to create a fixed venue for their "madames afternoon teas." While she couldn't provide news herself, she could offer a space for information exchange, expecting the madames to flock there.
When asked about the cost, Gu Jia explained the place was small and wouldn't be expensive, but as she couldn't ask Xu Huanshan for more money, she had redeemed her own insurance policy. Her friends praised her boldness and offered their help. That evening, Liang Zhengxian invited Wang Manni to dinner.
Wang Manni asked about his settled residence, to which he confirmed it was Hong Kong but then launched into a detailed monologue about a fishing experience, seemingly avoiding the direct question. Although distracted by him, Wang Manni assured him she had heard his story about the fish. Liang Zhengxian then formally introduced himself: Liang Zhengxian, thirty-seven years old, an American-Chinese who returned to Hong Kong many years ago to start a business and settled there.
He declared he was currently single, had no bad habits, and no criminal record, asking if she was "more clear now." He then informed her he was returning to Hong Kong the next day and invited her to join him in Vanuatu next month to explore shipwrecks and taste the fish he would catch. Wang Manni reacted with a surprised "Vanuatu?" but gave no immediate answer.
Wang Manni later called Gu Jia, eager to know the results of the background check. Gu Jia informed her that Mrs. Wang's Hong Kong lawyer had confirmed Liang Zhengxian was indeed single and had never been married. Hearing this, Wang Manni felt a wave of relief. A physical examination revealed Xu Huanshan had a fatty liver, much to his surprise given his exercise habits.
To help him recover, Gu Jia decided he would only drink vegetable juice for dinner, a method she learned was a popular and healthy fasting trend. Xu Huanshan complained he couldn't get full from just the juice, but Gu Jia insisted, emphasizing the importance of health when caring for both aging parents and young children. She declared she would fast for dinner with him to keep him company, planning a re-evaluation after three months.
That night, however, a famished Xu Huanshan secretly sought out snacks from his son, who shared his hidden stash under a blanket, cementing a secret pact between them. At a department dinner, Zhong Xiaoyang took over the grilling from Zhong Xiaoqin, playfully challenging her colleagues. Later, outside, he offered her a fruit juice, observing that she looked tired from the smoke.
He then confessed that he had intentionally chosen the five challenging accounts with female owners to help share her burden, acknowledging that his "gender advantage" was his only strength. Zhong Xiaoqin countered that his only advantage was his candor. Zhong Xiaoyang tried to explain that she was the only one he called "Sister" and that he found her "quite fun," not just work, but she misunderstood, feeling she was merely an "amusement" to him.
Suddenly, Zhong Xiaoqin clutched her stomach in pain, wondering if the mango juice was the cause. Zhong Xiaoyang rushed her to the hospital where a doctor diagnosed acute gastroenteritis and noted that her recent miscarriage surgery had lowered her immunity, requiring her to be more careful. Zhong Xiaoyang discreetly went to pay the fees, having overheard the doctor. Zhong Xiaoqin called Chen Yu, asking him to pick her up.
Chen Yu, however, claimed to be at a fish-lover friend's place, far away, and urged her to take a taxi home, dismissing her argument about knowing her company's usual dinner locations. Feeling rejected, Zhong Xiaoqin ended the call. Zhong Xiaoyang, seeing her distress, insisted on sending her home, but she had already called a taxi. As she left, Zhong Xiaoyang, still concerned for her safety, subtly photographed the taxi's license plate.
Xu Huanshan complained to his friend Shen Jie about Gu Jia's strict diet, jokingly remarking on how women can be relentless. He also expressed concerns about their recent large order, feeling it was a shortcut achieved through connections rather than his design talent, thereby devaluing his work. Shen Jie acknowledged his frustration but also pointed out Gu Jia's indispensable role in their family's major issues.
Xu Huanshan then voiced his own worry about Gu Jia venturing into the madam circle by opening a bakery. Later, Xu Huanshan and Shen Jie got into a heated argument with a group of college students over a soccer field, which escalated into a brawl. Gu Jia received a call and immediately rushed to the police station with Chen Xu to bail them out. Witnessing Xu Huanshan's battered face, she felt a pang of anger and worry.
Once home, as she treated his wounds, Gu Jia chastised him for playing soccer, especially with an important client meeting in Beijing the next day. Xu Huanshan admitted he had forgotten but quickly grew defensive, complaining about his loss of freedom. He argued that clients valued his firework designs, not his appearance, and sarcastically suggested he would soon have to call her "Mrs. Xu" instead of "wife," implying she was becoming too dominant.
Gu Jia realized he resented her attempts to climb the social ladder through the madam circle. She countered, reminding him of their company's vulnerable nature and the importance of having good connections to navigate potential crises. After a tense silence, Gu Jia apologized for her harsh tone, explaining her anxiety for their family's hard-won stability and her concern over his injuries. She reminded him that the fireworks order was not yet fully secured, so they couldn't afford to be complacent.
Xu Huanshan agreed that he shouldn't have fought. Liang Zhengxian took Wang Manni on a diving trip to Vanuatu, explaining that scuba diving was a unique way to build deep trust, as partners rely on each other for survival in the deep, dark ocean. He asked if she trusted him, suggesting that after this trip, she would trust him the most. Wang Manni was thrilled to experience the deep sea, witnessing large sea turtles and colorful fish.
During their dive, a strong current caused a minor accident, sweeping away Liang Zhengxian's mask and regulator. Wang Manni, despite being a novice, remained remarkably calm and helped him retrieve his mask, effectively saving his life. Afterwards, Liang Zhengxian recounted the event to his friends, praising Wang Manni's composure and highlighting how fatal such incidents could be if one panicked. Wang Manni, feeling only intense hunger after the ordeal, declared she could "eat a whale."
Liang Zhengxian then left to buy food, leaving Wang Manni with his friends. From them, Wang Manni learned that spots on such exclusive diving trips had to be reserved at least a year, or at minimum half a year, in advance. This revelation left her stunned, realizing something was amiss about how she was able to join the trip so spontaneously.
