Nothing But Thirty Episode 19 Recap
> Nothing But Thirty Recap
Lin Youyou drove Xu Huanshan back to his hotel. On the way, she stopped at a basketball court and pointed out a deflated soccer ball, asking if his favorite sport wasn't soccer. Xu Huanshan hesitated, claiming he was too old to play and had promised his wife, Gu Jia, he wouldn't. He explained that injuries could affect his work, and if he got sick, he could easily infect their son.
Lin Youyou challenged him, asking if he was afraid, and taunted him by comparing him to the deflated ball, implying he had lost his spirit. Provoked, Xu Huanshan started playing, feeling a sense of youthful freedom and excitement. Upon returning to the hotel later, he found Gu Jia had thoughtfully squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush, which filled him with a pang of guilt.
One evening, Zhong Xiaoqin shared with Chen Yu her newfound interest in painting, inspired by a movie where girls who could paint seemed very attractive. Chen Yu, ever the cynic, quickly dismissed her, stating it was merely the actresses who were beautiful, not the act of painting itself. Despite his apparent lack of interest, Chen Yu was later seen picking up a brush and expressing a desire to try painting, even asking if he could borrow Zhong Xiaoqin's paints.
Zhong Xiaoqin, surprised by his sudden chattiness, remarked that he had become far more talkative since their divorce, as if he had "found his ability to talk again." She then lightly teased him about his "useless hands" for painting. Liang Zhengxian immersed Wang Manni in a world of high-end experiences, including attending operas and exclusive events. Wang Manni felt herself transforming, remarking to Liang Zhengxian, "Right now it appears. . . you've become a completely different person."
He responded by explaining his intention was to introduce her to "the best of the best," likening it to how the strength of whiskey makes other liquors seem weak, or how delicate flavors are preferred after cold meals. He envisioned brand clothing feeling like her "own skin. . . growing on you." Liang Zhengxian affirmed his desire to cherish her and not waste a second of their time together.
Wang Manni, beaming with happiness, later confessed to him, "Good thing I was persistent for so long and waited for you to come," before they raised their glasses in a toast. As the amusement park’s fireworks display, designed by Xu Huanshan, began, an announcement called for him to meet his family at the ticketing area. There, Lin Youyou saw Xu Huanshan with his wife, Gu Jia, and their son, Xu Ziyan, together as a happy family.
This sight left Lin Youyou feeling upset. Later that night, after Xu Huanshan had returned to the hotel with his family, Lin Youyou sent him a WeChat message, commenting on a specific part of the fireworks she had noticed. Xu Huanshan, who had been receiving many messages from her, responded that the fireworks were meant as a memento, acknowledging her hard work over the past month.
He then directly told her that he would be leaving tomorrow and, if the project was successful, he wouldn't be returning, effectively bidding her farewell. He then proceeded to delete their chat history and block her on WeChat, appearing conflicted as he did so. The store was bustling with its VIP Private Appreciation Party and model show.
However, an angry Mrs. Wang arrived, upset about not receiving an invitation and having no designated seat due to an oversight by Deputy Store Manager Daisy. Wang Manni intervened, calmed Mrs. Wang, and persuaded her to accept a corner seat by explaining changes in the event's procedures and assuring her it was the best vantage point. During the show, an accident occurred when a female guest bumped her head on a glass panel, causing injury.
Her angry husband confronted the staff. Daisy tried to explain that the "Dreamland" theme, specified by headquarters, incorporated many glass and mirror elements. However, Wang Manni promptly applied ice to the injury and called an ambulance. When the store manager questioned her actions, Daisy criticized Wang Manni for calling 120, believing such incidents should be contained within the store.
Wang Manni argued that the guest was clearly injured, and calling emergency services, then accompanying her to the hospital, was crucial to accurately assess the injury and demonstrate genuine care, thus preventing potential future complications. She volunteered to go to the hospital and requested authorization to offer compensation for minor injuries, suggesting further discussion for anything more serious. She also proposed placing silk scarves on the glass panels as both decoration and a warning.
Daisy vehemently opposed this, citing headquarters' strict design guidelines, but the store manager sided with Wang Manni, instructing Daisy to place "Beware of the glass" signs instead. Upon her return, Wang Manni confirmed the guest was fine and had accepted the store's apology and compensation. The store manager then introduced Amanda, the Sales Director from the Hong Kong headquarters.
Daisy was quick to introduce herself, but Amanda was primarily interested in Wang Manni, praising her keen sense of the "overall situation" and her swift, responsible actions during the crisis. Amanda especially admired Wang Manni's willingness to "let go of profits" by accompanying the customer to the hospital on such a crucial sales day, calling her "the best assistant for a store manager."
The manager added that Wang Manni was an elite salesperson who had previously secured a significant 4 million yuan order. A visibly jealous Daisy then complimented Amanda's designer dress, identifying it as a Tang Li Zi and OVV collaboration, and mentioned a private exhibit in Shanghai. Wang Manni casually mentioned that her boyfriend had taken her to that very exhibit a few days prior, and then offered to help Amanda gain access if she was interested.
Gu Jia received an urgent phone call from the accountant, who informed her that there was a serious problem with the tea factory's accounts. The accountant revealed that the books showed significant losses, even more than initially reported, and suspected that the figures had been tampered with. Crucially, the organic certification for the tea factory had expired half a year ago, leading to two ongoing court cases. Alarmed, Gu Jia rushed to the tea factory with Xu Huanshan.
Meanwhile, Zhong Xiaoqin was busy with an event organized by her property management, which involved setting up equipment. She discovered that a crucial speaker had been swapped for a lower-grade brand, despite their equipment list specifying a particular "BO brand." Insisting on the correct item for their month-long event, she demanded the change, causing delays as the replacement had to be retrieved from a distant warehouse.
While waiting, Zhong Xiaoyang, who was assisting her, took the opportunity to ask her about her divorce, expressing curiosity about why someone as popular as her at work would make such a brave decision. He showed concern for her tiredness, offering his shoulder and ordering takeout for her, prompting Zhong Xiaoqin to praise his newfound attentiveness.
Zhong Xiaoqin confided that her divorce stemmed from incompatible personalities, a lack of shared interests, and ultimately, having nothing to talk about with Chen Yu. She reflected on how, for the past thirty years, she had always lived according to others' expectations, carefully avoiding any missteps, only to find her life uninteresting and awkward. She lamented how people are encouraged to be brave when young but later warned against danger.
She expressed a desire to "become a different person" in the future, doing things she truly liked. She compared herself to props with "angles and edges," finding them "cool," and declared that if one could be a sturdy tree, weathering storms, there was no reason to be a delicate flower that withers quickly. The following morning, Chen Yu, seemingly concerned, had prepared breakfast for Zhong Xiaoqin and asked why she had returned home so late, around 2 AM.
Zhong Xiaoqin, surprised by his sudden interest, retorted that it was none of his business, to which he feigned annoyance about her making noise and disturbing his sleep. She coolly responded that she would be moving out soon. However, later, Chen Yu sent her a text message expressing concern for her safety, stating, "Coming home that late isn't safe. If it happens again, I can pick you up."
At work, during a meal, colleagues discussed Zhong Xiaoqin and Zhong Xiaoyang's late night waiting for the speaker. A colleague asked Zhong Xiaoyang if his girlfriend didn't mind him working so late with Zhong Xiaoqin. He quickly stated he didn't have a girlfriend, but then added, "I already have someone I like, but I just don't have the courage to confess." As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Zhong Xiaoqin.
Catching his intense gaze, Zhong Xiaoqin felt a strong premonition that she was the one he liked, becoming visibly flustered as she excused herself to get napkins. Amanda, the Sales Director from the Hong Kong headquarters, was very satisfied with Wang Manni's performance and took her out for a meal.
During their conversation, Amanda learned that Wang Manni's boyfriend lived in Hong Kong, leading her to ask if Wang Manni had considered working at the Hong Kong headquarters, calling it a "rare opportunity." Without hesitation, Wang Manni immediately agreed, expressing her willingness to even accept a same-level transfer or a demotion to Senior Sales. Her sole motivation was to "be in the same city as him" and see him daily.
Amanda advised her to think carefully about leaving her familiar surroundings and starting anew alone, but Wang Manni firmly stated, "There's actually not a lot of things that belong to me here. I'd rather go and be by his side." Amanda then agreed to help her look for such an opportunity. At the tea factory, the accountant confirmed the severe financial losses, stating the amount was even greater than reported, and strongly suspected the books had been manipulated.
He further revealed that the factory's crucial organic certification had expired six months prior, leading to two ongoing court cases. Gu Jia's mind raced back to the "Wives' Circle" gathering where Mrs. Li had cunningly pitched the tea factory, with other wives echoing its supposed value, rushing Gu Jia into the deal.
The accountant confirmed that the contract had been signed too rapidly, with Mrs. Li's side handling all the procedures, solidifying Gu Jia's realization that she had been trapped and deceived by the women she once believed to be straightforward and trustworthy. Xu Huanshan suggested calling Mrs. Li. During the call, Mrs. Li completely disavowed responsibility, claiming she had provided all necessary information and followed formal procedures, asserting that Gu Jia's failure to investigate thoroughly was her own fault.
She coldly demanded the remaining 1. 5 million yuan transfer fee be paid on time, "Not a single cent can be missing." The accountant then presented Gu Jia and Xu Huanshan with two stark options: continue operating or declare bankruptcy. He explained that keeping the factory open would incur significant fines for the expired organic certification and require an additional investment of two to three million yuan for production, necessitating another bank loan—a path he deemed too high-pressure.
He advised declaring bankruptcy to minimize immediate losses and potentially reduce the transfer fees through legal action. Xu Huanshan questioned the loss of their initial investment, and a distressed factory worker pleaded with them not to close, emphasizing the workers' reliance on the factory. Overwhelmed, Gu Jia admitted the situation was "too hard" and the risks "too big," confiding that she no longer dared to take such a gamble, especially after friends expressed pessimism about the tea industry.
Regretting her hasty decision, she asked, "Why did I sign this contract back then?" Xu Huanshan comforted her, saying, "Don't be anxious. It's normal to fail in investing. It's not a big deal." He reassured her it wasn't her fault, as they couldn't have prevented such an elaborate scheme. Reluctantly, they decided to close the factory and planned to inform the village leader the next day. Gu Jia sorrowfully apologized to her husband for the predicament.
