Nothing But Thirty Episode 5 Recap
> Nothing But Thirty Recap
Gu Jia's son had only been enrolled in kindergarten for a few days when she unintentionally got into a disagreement with another parent, Mu Zi's mother. Mrs. Wang noticed the tension and called Gu Jia over, questioning how she had already offended someone so quickly. Gu Jia explained that Mu Zi's mother had strong objections to her regarding the parent committee. Mrs. Wang then invited Gu Jia to a spa.
During their session, Mrs. Wang enlightened Gu Jia about the true importance of the committee president, explaining that everything from trips abroad during breaks to various classes and their sign-up counts were closely tied to the president's influence. Recommending more participants reflected the president's capabilities. Gu Jia was surprised such things existed in kindergartens, to which Mrs. Wang responded that it wasn't easy for others to maintain their positions.
Gu Jia clarified that she never intended to replace Mu Zi's mother, but Mrs. Wang asserted that whether Gu Jia wanted to or not, she was perceived as threatening Mu Zi's mother's benefits. Mrs. Wang expressed her admiration for Gu Jia, noting that she didn't have a narrow mindset, knew what she wanted, and pursued it effectively.
Later, Gu Jia called Zhong Xiaoqin, urging her to stop being sulky and giving the silent treatment to Chen Yu, and instead address their issues like adults. Zhong Xiaoqin and Chen Yu went to a ball game, where Zhong Xiaoqin lamented their lack of couple's amusement, noting they were always on their phones or couldn't even sigh loudly. Chen Yu told her to stop complaining, suggesting the game was better than her watching shows on her iPad.
When she claimed she hadn't watched her iPad in a while, he pointed out her stutter, indicating she was lying. Zhong Xiaoqin then pressed him for a decision on the child that day, but Chen Yu remained firm: she wanted to give birth, he did not, and it was a matter of who would compromise. She suggested they let "God decide" based on the game's outcome, each picking a team and agreeing to follow the winner's choice.
Chen Yu questioned making such a significant decision so hastily, to which Zhong Xiaoqin replied that neither of them was willing to compromise. After they made their picks, Chen Yu received an urgent call from work about a district government matter and had to leave for a meeting immediately. He apologized and told Zhong Xiaoqin to take a cab home if she didn't want to stay.
Later, Zhong Xiaoqin found herself locked out of their apartment again, unable to reach Chen Yu by phone, so she waited on the stairs. When Chen Yu finally returned, she complained about him leaving her and the persistent issue with the lock. He easily opened the door and explained she needed to use a specific technique, lifting it while turning the key, promising to adjust it or call a locksmith if it remained difficult for her.
Too tired to argue further, Zhong Xiaoqin lay on the bed. Chen Yu asked who won the game, and she revealed that her chosen team had dropped out. She then seriously asked if he truly didn't want the child. After a long silence, Chen Yu confessed that he didn't dare to have a child, fearing that one day the child would feel unlucky to have him as a father.
He opened up about his childhood, where his father was often absent, leaving him to constantly cover for his younger brother's mistakes and bear the consequences. This upbringing made him worry he would be an irresponsible father like his own. Understanding his hidden struggles, Zhong Xiaoqin comforted him, assuring him that he was different from his father and that their situation wouldn't be like his relationship with his younger brother.
She then mentioned she was hungry, and Chen Yu offered to cook for her. The next morning, Zhong Xiaoqin's mother arrived unexpectedly, having learned about the pregnancy from Chen Yu's mother. Overjoyed, she announced she hadn't slept all night from excitement and insisted they immediately go to the hospital for a check-up, instructing Zhong Xiaoqin to grab her medicare card.
At the hospital, the doctor explained that it was only 9 weeks, so they couldn't create a profile yet but could return after 10 weeks for an early pregnancy check-up. However, the doctor did allow them to listen to the baby's heartbeat. Zhong Xiaoqin was deeply moved, exclaiming to Chen Yu that it was the "best sound I've heard."
Back home, her mother congratulated Chen Yu on becoming a father, while Zhong Xiaoqin and her mother excitedly started browsing online for baby clothes, discussing brands Gu Jia had recommended for Xu Zi Yan. Zhong Xiaoqin also wanted to buy a crib. Chen Yu initially tried to temper their enthusiasm, pointing out their apartment wasn't big enough for a crib. Zhong Xiaoqin quickly suggested they could keep it at her mother's house, a suggestion her mother readily agreed to.
Later that night, Chen Yu was seen secretly looking up crib dimensions online, evidently planning to build one himself. A serious issue arose at Wang Manni's store concerning a saleswoman privately redeeming customer points using a sales receipt and transferring them to her own membership card. The amount involved was significant, equivalent to about 11,000 yuan in vouchers. The mall's property management considered this a major taboo in the industry, an act that could ruin a sales professional's career.
Wang Manni was identified as the saleswoman responsible. She admitted that the VIP card and sales history were hers but vehemently denied exchanging the points herself. She explained that a male customer, whom she had previously served, had tried to make advances towards her and, upon her rejection, had thrown away his receipt. She speculated that this receipt was then used to redeem points onto her card.
Her colleague, Fu Dian, tried to defend her, pointing out that Wang Manni had just received a promotion and wouldn't jeopardize her reputation for 11,000 yuan. However, Director Xu, Wang Manni's superior, was firm, stating that such actions severely harmed the mall's reputation and would be severely punished, referencing a similar past incident where the implicated salesperson was fired.
Wang Manni pleaded for one day to prove her innocence by having the customer testify that she had not taken the receipt. Wang Manni tracked down the male customer, who not only refused to help but also suggested she might have secretly picked up the receipt after he left and redeemed the points. He dismissed her pleas, claiming she was putting him in an awkward position, especially if his coworkers or wife saw her begging him.
Despite her desperate appeals, emphasizing that her job was on the line, he remained unyielding. Later, distraught, Wang Manni called Fu Dian, assuring him of her innocence and begging for his protection. Fu Dian, however, explained that the matter had escalated to store management and headquarters, putting it beyond his ability to control. In a moment of frustration, Wang Manni threatened to take her twelve A+ clients, who had followed her for years, with her if she were fired.
Fu Dian sharply rebuked her, reminding her that customers were loyal to the brand, not the salesperson, and that outside of her uniform, she had no leverage. He advised her to calm down and go home. Gu Jia received a call from Chen Xu, one of Xu Huanshan's subordinates, informing her that Xu Huanshan had gotten drunk at a dinner.
The next morning, Gu Jia visited the company and discreetly gathered information, confirming with Xiao Sun that a designer named Li Ke had also been present at the dinner. Gu Jia later spoke with Chen Xu, whom she considered a clever and trustworthy employee, advising him to be cautious and reminding him that "less is more" when it came to sensitive matters.
Shortly after, Gu Jia received another call detailing that Xu Huanshan had argued with Mr. Wan, throwing documents at him and driving him away, effectively sabotaging a crucial deal. Upon arriving at the office, Gu Jia found it in disarray. She sent the staff to lunch and confronted Xu Huanshan, who was still fuming. He ranted about Mr. Wan's disregard for art, explaining that Mr. Wan constantly pushed down costs, questioned their environment-friendly materials, and even suggested using expired fireworks.
Xu Huanshan felt his dedicated designs were wasted on such a client, likening it to "making dumplings to feed pigs." He expressed disillusionment, questioning if the company was truly fulfilling his artistic dreams or merely trapping him in endless discussions about costs and benefits, finding it "boring through the roof."
Gu Jia proposed she could try to negotiate with Mr. Wan, but Xu Huanshan flatly refused, declaring he would not compromise this time and asserting his authority as the company's decision-maker, giving up on the deal entirely. Gu Jia attempted to reason with Xu Huanshan, acknowledging Mr. Wan's difficult nature but emphasizing that his orders constituted 50% of their annual profit, making him a crucial "big client."
Xu Huanshan, however, felt his artistic work was being devalued by purely financial considerations. Gu Jia warned him that without Mr. Wan's collaboration, the company's finances would collapse the following month. Despite his refusal, Gu Jia took matters into her own hands and called Mr. Wan, apologizing and requesting a personal meeting to explain. Mr. Wan agreed, and Gu Jia dressed formally for the occasion.
Upon meeting Mr. Wan, he made a comment about her being late and the awkward early dinner time, subtly hinting at a "round two" of activities, though he assured her he had already ordered food and alcohol. Gu Jia apologized, citing her responsibilities as a wife and mother and her child waiting at home. Mr. Wan questioned why he should always be understanding, especially when she was there to apologize.
Gu Jia, on behalf of Xu Huanshan, expressed profound gratitude for Mr. Wan's support over the past two years, admitting his orders were vital for the company's operations and their family's well-being. To sweeten the deal, she offered him 20% of the company's profits, assuring him she had the authority to make such a decision.
Mr. Wan recalled Xu Huanshan's defiant words about rather starving than taking his orders, but Gu Jia dismissed them as angry remarks from an artist, not to be taken seriously. Mr. Wan then took her hand, praising her family's fireworks but stating they were "not as good as you." He expressed envy for Xu Huanshan's luck and hinted at his desire for her, reassuring her that whatever transpired would remain their secret.
Gu Jia questioned if this was the condition for continued collaboration, to which Mr. Wan responded with a suggestive "There's only one solution to this. You understand." Gu Jia attempted to deflect by offering to arrange younger colleagues for entertainment at a bar or nightclub, but Mr. Wan rejected the idea, bluntly stating, "I want you," adding that she seemed like the "perfect wife."
Disgusted, Gu Jia pushed his hand away and quoted Xu Huanshan's earlier defiant words: "Even if we have to light up the factory, we won't take your order." She then abruptly left the meeting. Later, her subordinate, Chen Xu, called, worried that she hadn't picked up, and brought her water and midnight snacks at the office. Gu Jia instructed him not to tell Xu Huanshan what had transpired, preferring to "treat it like nothing happened today."
Returning home, Gu Jia learned from her nanny that her son, Xu Zi Yan, had been picked up by Mu Zi's mother to attend a classmate's birthday party. The nanny mentioned the event had been announced in the parents' group chat, which Gu Jia realized she hadn't checked.
Gu Jia immediately went to Mu Zi's house, where Mu Zi's mother, who appeared to be intoxicated, vaguely answered when Gu Jia asked for Xu Zi Yan, saying he was just playing with the other children. Suddenly, Xu Zi Yan's distressed cries were heard from a locked bedroom. Gu Jia frantically demanded Mu Zi's mother open the door.
Mu Zi's mother tried to deflect, claiming the room locked automatically and that Xu Zi Yan "did as he pleased" and had "no respect," even maliciously suggesting he had "autism" because he didn't play with other children. Gu Jia finally got her son out, finding him covered in sweat and crying, saying he never wanted to play with them or go to kindergarten again.
After comforting Xu Zi Yan and telling him to wait outside, Gu Jia calmly removed her watch and high heels, then forcefully pushed Mu Zi's mother into the bedroom, locking her inside, intent on retaliating for the harm inflicted on her son. Mu Zi's mother, still locked in the room, screamed that she would assess her injuries and call the police to have Gu Jia expelled from the kindergarten.
Gu Jia, however, coolly countered that she was the one who should call the police, as taking her son without his mother's consent constituted kidnapping, a criminal offense. She then threatened to expose Mu Zi's mother's past misdeeds of receiving kickbacks and engaging in selfish acts within the parents' group chat if she continued her theatrics. With her point made, Gu Jia calmly put on her high heels and left with her son.
She reflected that at thirty years old, it was her first time resorting to physical violence, but she did so because "compared to dignity, there's something more valuable, the people I want to protect." Later that evening, Gu Jia discussed the company's dire financial situation with Xu Huanshan. She proposed a drastic measure: using their large house as a corporate asset to pledge to the bank for a loan.
This, she explained, would temporarily alleviate the pressure from the company's impending cash flow crisis, as they only had enough funds for one month of employee expenses and urgently needed new clients. Xu Huanshan expressed apprehension about mortgaging their home, fearing the bank could seize it if the company failed. Gu Jia, however, reassured him, suggesting that danger could also be a turning point.
She believed that being too comfortable might lead to complacency, and this crisis could prompt the company to find new breakthroughs and turn things around. Xu Huanshan, trusting her judgment, agreed to her plan, and they vowed to overcome the challenges together.
