Nothing But Thirty Episode 31 Recap
> Nothing But Thirty Recap
Zhong Xiaoqin confided in Gu Jia, feeling that her boyfriend, Zhong Xiaoyang, was a gift to compensate for her lack of dating in her twenties. However, she now realized the significant generation gap between them was daunting. While he could pour all his energy into their relationship without worrying about a job or sleep, she, at her age, couldn't invest her limited remaining energy in dating. Gu Jia advised her, emphasizing that a relationship with someone younger isn't easy.
She pointed out Zhong Xiaoqin's tendency to rely on anyone who liked her or treated her well, explaining that true love requires a shift from passive to active participation. Meanwhile, Gu Jia’s "Empty Mountain Tea" wasn't selling well at Jiang Chen's café, despite Wang Manni having initially connected them for sales channels. Seeing Gu Jia discouraged, Jiang Chen brewed her tea, presenting it as a popular blend from a friend.
Gu Jia praised its pleasant fragrance and lingering aftertaste, thinking it was a well-known brand. Jiang Chen then revealed it was her own "Empty Mountain Tea," encouraging her to be confident in her product. Later, Zhong Xiaoqin and Gu Jia video-called Wang Manni, who informed them she was starting her new job as a clerk at the town government the next day. Her friends expressed regret, concerned she might not return to Shanghai.
When asked about Zhang Zhi, Wang Manni stated she was still getting to know him. On Wang Manni's first day, Zhang Zhi picked her up, but she found the attention from neighbors, who closely monitored Zhang Zhi as a local government official, quite uncomfortable. In the car, Zhang Zhi suggested maintaining professional boundaries at work since his office was on the first floor and hers on the second, implying they were already in a romantic relationship.
Wang Manni immediately clarified that they were not, explaining that her willingness to continue meeting him was simply to get to know him better, not to confirm a relationship. Zhang Zhi, though initially pushing the idea that meeting meant discussing marriage, eventually agreed to respect her pace. At the office, colleagues greeted Wang Manni enthusiastically, many of them claiming distant family connections. They openly admired her, remarking on Zhang Zhi's high standards.
Wang Manni tried to correct their assumption about her relationship with Zhang Zhi, but a senior colleague, Big Sister Liu, dismissed her, saying she understood. Big Sister Liu and other colleagues then showered Wang Manni with homemade snacks, insisting she try them, which made Wang Manni feel a mix of gratitude and unease. Unbeknownst to Gu Jia, Xu Huanshan's affair with Lin Youyou had intensified. Before going to work, he secretly visited Lin Youyou at her hotel.
He asked if she had eaten, then suggested renting an apartment for her, emphasizing that a single woman shouldn't stay in a hotel and that consistently eating takeout was unhealthy. Lin Youyou, pleased, responded that she didn't want him to feel burdened, as she had her own income, but then added that she was content because she knew she was in his heart.
Later that day, while Wang Manni was getting hot water, she zoned out, and the water began to overflow. Zhang Zhi, passing by, pulled her hand away to prevent her from getting scalded. Big Sister Liu witnessed the scene, immediately assumed they were having a romantic moment, and made exaggerated excuses before retreating, telling them to continue chatting. This made Wang Manni extremely uncomfortable.
In the corridor, she overheard colleagues gossiping, calling her beautiful but a "femme fatale" and saying she walked like a model, treating the office like a runway. These comments further distressed her. At lunchtime, Big Sister Liu approached Wang Manni, fawningly offering to bring her lunch every day so she wouldn't have to worry about slow delivery or cooking. Zhong Xiaoqin found herself constantly bombarded with messages and calls from Zhong Xiaoyang at work.
She angrily told him to stop spending so much time on fun, explaining that she was busy checking statements and couldn't afford mistakes. Zhong Xiaoyang, undeterred, just told her to be good, remember to eat, and call him during her lunch break. After work, Zhang Zhi waited for Wang Manni. Her colleagues openly encouraged her to go home with him, causing Wang Manni to feel self-conscious from the public scrutiny, a sensation she had never experienced before.
That evening, Wang Manni tried to talk to her parents about her discomfort with working in the same place as Zhang Zhi, citing the exhausting personal relationships. Her parents, however, couldn't understand, seeing Zhang Zhi as an excellent catch and urging her to marry him for a good life, dismissing her concerns about gossip as mere well-intentioned observations that would fade with time. Frustrated, Wang Manni ended the conversation, feeling unable to communicate with them.
Xu Huanshan returned home, feeling a pang of guilt as he saw his son playing and Gu Jia assembling a table. He offered to help, acknowledging that he had left all household matters to her. He then apologized for his previous harsh words and promised his full support for her tea factory, assuring her she could spend the family's money as she wished. His son, Xu Ziyan, echoed his support for Gu Jia.
Later, while showering, Xu Huanshan was startled by Gu Jia's voice, almost choking, as his mind was preoccupied with Lin Youyou. Gu Jia then shared exciting news: the hotel she had been negotiating with agreed to stock her "Empty Mountain Tea" in their rooms, a deal that would significantly ease their financial stress. Xu Huanshan feigned delight, praising her as "the best."
Later that night, Wang Manni, while voice-chatting with her friends, expressed how her time in her hometown made her deeply understand the overwhelming feeling of being scrutinized, much like a celebrity. She recounted a neighbor loudly offering her late-night snacks through her window, which forced her to pretend to be asleep. She deeply missed her anonymous, free days in Shanghai and felt immense pressure from the close-knit, overly enthusiastic community.
The next day, she subtly changed her wardrobe, putting away her prettier clothes and opting for an outfit similar to her colleagues. At the office, Zhang Zhi assigned Wang Manni to manage the reception for a major group's visit, including their corporate head and subordinates, who were exploring collaboration opportunities and attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Wang Manni, who had experience with product previews, was eager, saying she was happy to finally have a proper job after so long.
Zhang Zhi then tried to suggest a meal between their two families, but Wang Manni deftly sidestepped the invitation by excusing herself to return to work. Xu Huanshan, wanting to provide Lin Youyou with a more permanent arrangement, rented a spacious apartment for her, paying a year's rent upfront. Lin Youyou was ecstatic, loving the apartment, especially the kitchen, which meant she could cook for him.
She was particularly thrilled that it was close to his company, allowing them to see each other often. While she cooked him a meal, she affectionately watched him fix a broken photo frame, praising his hands as the most skillful in the world, capable of creating the most beautiful fireworks. That same evening, Gu Jia was at home, reading "The Little Prince" to Xu Ziyan, while Xu Huanshan spent time with Lin Youyou in her new apartment.
Wang Manni's reception duty brought an unexpected encounter. The head of the visiting corporation, Mr. Wei, turned out to be someone she had met before during a trade association event with Liang Zhengxian. Mr. Wei remembered her from her time as a sales associate at Mishil, a luxury brand that his corporation had recently acquired. He hinted at a job opportunity for her if she wished to return to Shanghai.
Later, Wang Manni confided in Uncle Yu, expressing her confusion: she felt Shanghai wasn't her home, but now back in her hometown, it felt even less like home. Uncle Yu, discerning that she was running away, shared a sailor's anecdote about finding one's home within oneself and urged her not to escape. He reminded her that her parents' idea of her hometown as a fallback was just a comfort, and that she needed to forge her own path.
Meanwhile, Chen Xu had moved into Chen Yu's now empty apartment, hoping to mend his brother's relationship with Zhong Xiaoqin. Chen Yu's mother called him, offering a suitable position at the local television station if he returned home, citing the saying, "Trees die where they are; people move around." Chen Xu then met Zhong Xiaoqin, who was also approached by Zhong Xiaoyang.
Zhong Xiaoyang expressed jealousy over her connection to Chen Yu, asking her to delete communication links with her ex-husband. Zhong Xiaoqin clarified that she only wanted to ensure Chen Yu was doing well, not that she was involved with him. After Zhong Xiaoyang left, Chen Xu urged Zhong Xiaoqin to reconsider Chen Yu, acknowledging his brother's emotional unavailability.
He revealed Chen Yu's hidden efforts during their pregnancy loss, explaining how Chen Yu secretly arranged for an earlier surgery by covering a colleague's shifts for two weeks, fearing any delay would harm her health, and even sought advice on nourishing soups, though he never told her.
Chen Xu also recounted Chen Yu's intense dedication during Zhong Xiaoqin's online bullying incident; for three days, Chen Yu ate and drank nothing, tirelessly searching for clues and evidence to clear her name, even neglecting his beloved fish when their address was doxxed and a toad was sent to their home. Chen Xu emphasized that Chen Yu, who deeply cared for his fish, prioritized Zhong Xiaoqin over them.
He concluded by informing Zhong Xiaoqin that Chen Yu was facing professional setbacks and there was a good opportunity for him at the hometown television station. Zhong Xiaoqin was deeply moved and saddened, realizing Chen Yu had made so many silent sacrifices for her.
