Nothing But Thirty Episode 27 Recap
> Nothing But Thirty Recap
Xu Huanshan sat in his car, deliberating, as he thought about Lin Youyou. Chen Xu, sitting beside him, noticed Xu Huanshan smiling at his phone and mistakenly believed he was texting Gu Jia, expressing admiration for his dedication in relationships. Hearing Chen Xu’s words, Xu Huanshan decided to head home.
The next day, Xu Huanshan returned to the hotel to extend Lin Youyou's stay, using cash instead of a card to avoid leaving a transaction record that Gu Jia might notice. Lin Youyou saw Xu Huanshan at the front desk and, delighted, invited him to her room. In the elevator, Lin Youyou attempted to hold Xu Huanshan's hand, but he subtly resisted. Once in her room, she reached for his hand again, and this time, he allowed it.
As an intimate moment began, Xu Huanshan's phone rang. It was Gu Jia. He quickly stepped out of the room to answer. Gu Jia asked him to pick her up, and to his shock, she was waiting in the lobby of the very same hotel. Panicked, Xu Huanshan managed to leave the hotel without being seen, then circled back in a taxi to pick her up, pretending he had just arrived.
Meanwhile, Zhong Xiaoqin watched a news report about a counterfeit shoe ring being busted. The report detailed how criminals bought authentic shoes from shopping malls, then returned high-quality fakes using the original receipts, which caused the recent scandal. Shortly after, Chen Xu called Zhong Xiaoqin, informing her that Chen Yu had been secretly investigating the case. Touched and surprised, Zhong Xiaoqin rushed home to thank Chen Yu. Upon her arrival, Chen Xu dramatically recounted their investigation, exaggerating Chen Yu’s heroism.
To gain Zhong Xiaoqin's sympathy, he had even wrapped Chen Yu in bandages, claiming Chen Yu had nearly given his life for her case. Chen Yu, embarrassed, tried to downplay the situation. Zhong Xiaoqin was deeply moved but also frustrated by Chen Yu's tendency to keep things to himself, a trait she felt had contributed to their divorce. With the truth revealed, Zhong Xiaoqin returned to her job, receiving a warm welcome from her colleagues.
She approached her boss to inquire about Zhong Xiaoyang’s re-employment. Her boss privately informed her that Zhong Xiaoyang had voluntarily resigned. Because the company strictly prohibited office relationships and Zhong Xiaoyang had openly discussed their romance, he chose to leave. Zhong Xiaoqin found herself emotionally conflicted. Wang Manni advised her against being indecisive between Chen Yu and Zhong Xiaoyang, warning that "playing both sides" would hurt everyone involved. Around this time, Zhong Xiaoqin's new apartment became ready for occupancy.
Wang Manni strongly encouraged her to move out of her former home promptly and use this time to reflect on her future. To express her gratitude for Chen Yu's help, Zhong Xiaoqin cooked a lavish dinner. Chen Yu thoroughly enjoyed the meal and reflected on his recent experiences. He shared that investigating the fake shoe ring made him feel re-energized and decided to pull himself together and work hard, just as she had always wanted.
As he began to express his desire to restore their relationship, Zhong Xiaoqin, guessing his intentions, changed the subject. She stated clearly that she was only there to collect her remaining belongings, as her new apartment was now ready. After Zhong Xiaoqin completely moved out, Chen Yu felt a profound sense of loss. He sat on the balcony, gazing at an empty clothes rack, filled with regret as past memories flooded his mind.
Zhong Xiaoqin later confessed to Gu Jia, tearfully admitting her confusion. She still felt a connection to both Chen Yu and Zhong Xiaoyang. Gu Jia comforted her, advising her to prioritize independence. She pointed out that Zhong Xiaoqin had never truly lived independently, relying first on her parents and then on her husband. Gu Jia suggested that by living alone, she would eventually understand what she truly wanted.
Meanwhile, Wang Manni had been unemployed for several months, and even paying her rent became a struggle. She began selling her luxury items and found that with each item sold, a burden seemed to lift from her mind. She reflected on her eight years in Shanghai, a city where she had spent her entire youth since university.
One evening, Wang Manni invited Zhong Xiaoqin and Gu Jia to her rented apartment for a hotpot dinner, revealing it was a farewell meal. She announced her decision to return to her hometown, explaining that Shanghai felt isolating and left her feeling lost without a clear direction. Gu Jia and Zhong Xiaoqin understood her emotions, crying with her. Despite their heartfelt pleas for her to stay, Wang Manni remained firm.
Gu Jia and Zhong Xiaoqin ultimately raised their glasses, wishing her well and promising to wait for her return to Shanghai, emphasizing that "departures make for better reunions." Before leaving, Wang Manni also met with Jiang Chen. He tried to persuade her to stay and offered her a job at his coffee shop, but she declined. Jiang Chen, filled with reluctance, walked her to the subway station, the very place where they had first met years ago. As he watched her leave, observing the passing vehicles, he was heartbroken.
