Nothing But Thirty Episode 26 Recap
> Nothing But Thirty Recap
Gu Jia and Wang Manni visited Zhong Xiaoqin, who felt deeply wronged, perceiving their presence as akin to hospice care, as if she were dying. She expressed frustration at being attacked by so many people despite doing nothing. Gu Jia prepared food for Zhong Xiaoqin, with Wang Manni assisting.
During this time, Gu Jia suggested Wang Manni join her tea factory, but Wang Manni politely declined, stating she only knew how to sell clothes and advised Gu Jia to be prudent with her limited funds. Gu Jia also mentioned that she had spoken with Chen Yu, who had advised Zhong Xiaoqin to stay at their home for a few days due to safety concerns in her own neighborhood. Later, the three friends went to Jiang Chen's café for dessert.
Jiang Chen brought out a Black Forest cake, Zhong Xiaoqin's favorite. The sweet treat, shared among them, lifted her spirits, and they all agreed that their bond was the sweetest. Back at her apartment, Chen Yu had packed Zhong Xiaoqin’s belongings, urging her to stay at Gu Jia’s house and not return home for a few days.
Zhong Xiaoqin, misinterpreting his concern as an attempt to distance himself from her, retorted angrily, reminding him of his reluctance to help her pack during their divorce. She then firmly stated that there was no possibility of them getting back together. At Gu Jia's home, Gu Jia reassured Zhong Xiaoqin, offering Zi Yan's room and encouraging her to feel at ease, emphasizing that she shouldn't be alone during this time.
Zhong Xiaoqin confessed her anxieties, including her mother's decision to stay at her uncle's house, indicating that her parents' home had also been targeted by online harassment. She expressed her fear and confusion over the insults and curses directed at her and her family, especially since she didn't know the shoes were fake. She also worried about Zhong Xiaoyang losing his job because of her.
Gu Jia comforted her, predicting that the online frenzy would subside and be forgotten within a week, asserting that Zhong Xiaoqin was innocent and had nothing to prove. To help her feel useful, Gu Jia also let Zhong Xiaoqin help with some of the housework. While staying at Gu Jia's, Zhong Xiaoqin checked her phone and saw an announcement from the mall stating that an "employee Zhong" had been fired.
Believing it referred to her, she rushed back to the mall, only to be informed by her boss that it was Zhong Xiaoyang who had been dismissed. It was revealed that Zhong Xiaoyang had intentionally taken the blame for the incident to protect Zhong Xiaoqin. He had proposed a story to the management, claiming he, as a salesperson, had swapped the shoes for fakes without the mall or Zhong Xiaoqin's knowledge, and offered to be fired to appease public outcry.
The mall leaders, seeing this as an effective emergency solution, agreed. Zhong Xiaoqin confronted her boss about the mall’s failure to investigate the source of the fake shoes, but was told that in the current media climate, image often outweighed truth. Determined to understand, Zhong Xiaoqin tracked down Zhong Xiaoyang at a motorcycle repair shop. She questioned why he took the blame, worrying about his sudden unemployment.
Zhong Xiaoyang explained that his parents were successful businessmen, he had never worried about money, and had even owned an apartment in Pudong since college, so the job wasn't essential for his livelihood. He further explained that in an office romance, one person always had to leave, and he was simply doing it in advance.
Zhong Xiaoqin grew angrier, stating that if not for his actions, she would have agreed to be his girlfriend, but now it felt like she was agreeing out of obligation. As she turned to leave, Zhong Xiaoyang pulled her back and kissed her, and they became a couple. Meanwhile, Gu Jia drove Shen Jie's father to the airport.
Afterwards, she was with her own father, who, noting her worried expression, advised her to be brave and not let burdens weigh her down. He observed that Shen Jie’s father, once wealthy, was now leaving with a suitcase half-filled with gifts for his hometown, a subtle attempt to maintain appearances despite his changed circumstances. Xu Huanshan went to Lin Youyou's hotel room, intending to send her back to Beijing, having already bought her plane tickets.
Lin Youyou refused, tearfully explaining that she couldn't control her feelings. She confessed that she had arrived in Shanghai prepared to live in the same city as him, simply hoping for a chance encounter. She begged him not to make her leave. Softened by her pleas, Xu Huanshan booked her a room at another hotel, paying for two nights plus a deposit in cash to prevent any digital trace that Gu Jia might discover.
Lin Youyou appeared visibly disappointed when he left her alone. Upon returning home, Gu Jia found Xu Huanshan already bathed and back earlier than expected. He seemed irritable and, influenced by Lin Youyou's earlier suggestion, defiantly told Sister Chen, the housekeeper, that he wanted noodles for dinner, despite being on a diet. Gu Jia, sensing his stress, allowed it and personally cooked his favorite tomato and egg noodles for him.
She comforted him, explaining her plans to promote Kong Shan Tea to turn losses into gains and alleviate his pressure. While she was cooking, Xu Huanshan embraced her from behind, an attempt to mask his guilt. Gu Jia later met with a hotel manager to promote her Kong Shan Tea. She presented its delicate packaging and unique blends.
Although the manager acknowledged the good concept and quality, he ultimately rejected it due to the lack of brand recognition, stating it did not match the hotel's high standards, which typically featured brands like TWG and Lupicia. Wang Manni began her job search, receiving a call from a recruiter about an entry-level sales position.
She then met with a headhunter who informed her that despite her qualifications, given the competitive luxury market and her age, a junior sales position was the best available option. Wang Manni was dismayed to learn the basic salary was only 5,000 yuan, with commissions bringing it to 7,000-8,000 yuan, significantly less than her previous earnings of 17,000 yuan. She realized this salary might not even cover her rent.
Later, she called a real estate agent to inquire about cheaper apartments but was told that a 3,000-yuan apartment would either require a roommate or be located almost outside of Shanghai. Feeling discouraged and exhausted, Wang Manni returned to her rented apartment. Both she and Gu Jia found themselves constantly on the phone, fighting for their uncertain futures. Meanwhile, Chen Yu continued his investigation into the fake shoes.
With the help of Chen Xu, he delved into the matter, even staking out a counterfeiting den. Chen Xu remarked on his brother's unusual determination, likening his investigative work to a journalist "getting deep into a tiger's den." Chen Yu downplayed the danger, and they successfully located the individuals involved in the fake shoe operation.
