Episode 1 recap: # Du Man Tang and Zhang Ze Zhong Disagree
In the first episode, reporters from the TV station arrive at Kua Gu Zhi Hutong, where Zhang Ze Zhong serves as their guide, coordinating the interview. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao Qing is busy with household chores and doesn't notice her pot boiling until she sees photos of her friends' outings on social media.
Du Man Tang approaches, joking that Zhang Ze Zhong has returned home in style, but his position has changed; he’s no longer in charge of the gate but now oversees the library and doesn’t even allow staff to reside in the dormitory. Du Man Tang laughs, saying that Zhang Ze Zhong has been promoted and now manages the whole hutong.
Zhang Ze Zhong is somewhat skeptical, prompting Du Man Tang to cite Aunt Zhang as evidence. As they chat about their lives, Zhang Ze Zhong mentions he just ran into Wang Xiao Qing and asks about their well-being. Du Man Tang replies that everything is going well.
Zhang Ze Zhong then shares that he is living a “two-person” life, referring to himself and his son. Just then, they witness someone moving in the hutong, and Du Man Tang takes on the role of a temporary director to help out.
During dinner, Du Man Tang and Wang Xiao Qing chat while eating. Du Man Tang praises Wang Xiao Qing’s successful bean sauce factory but jokes that she has been too relaxed. After the meal, while washing clothes, Wang Xiao Qing shares amusing stories, mentioning that Old Zhou's husband took her on a trip to Sydney, even noting that there are no mosquitoes by the beach. Du Man Tang laughs, thinking it’s absurd to believe there wouldn’t be any mosquitoes in such a distant place.
The conversation takes a turn when Du Man Tang expresses concern that Zhang Ze Zhong might lose his job. Wang Xiao Qing misinterprets this as schadenfreude and immediately counters him. Du Man Tang quickly clarifies, explaining that he sees through Zhang Ze Zhong’s tendency to brag, revealing his true self in serious situations.
He then reminisces about the past, stating that a decision made by Zhang Ze Zhong led to Wang Xiao Qing losing her job, forcing her to start her own bean sauce factory. This infuriates Wang Xiao Qing, who questions whether Du Man Tang is directing his comments at her or at Zhang Ze Zhong. In a fit of anger, she accidentally splashes the laundry water onto the flowers that Du Man Tang cares for.
Not long after, news spreads through the hutong that a variety show will be filming there. Aunt Zhang invites Du Man Tang to speak on stage, and Zhang Ze Zhong seizes the opportunity to chime in, claiming that the show will help everyone make money.
Du Man Tang quickly pulls him aside, reminding him to keep a low profile and not cause trouble for the residents. Confused, Zhang Ze Zhong wonders why Du Man Tang is being so cold to him, especially since they’ve just reunited after a long time apart. Du Man Tang brings up the issue of Wang Xiao Qing’s job, insisting that Zhang Ze Zhong should take responsibility.
Feeling wronged, Zhang Ze Zhong explains that he didn’t intend for things to turn out that way; the plans changed unexpectedly, and he couldn’t have anticipated that the coordinating unit would end up in Hebei. While Du Man Tang worries that this filming might bring more problems, Zhang Ze Zhong is confident, stating that he has successfully rented out several houses in the hutong using the fame of star Liu Xingyu.
At that moment, Du Li, carrying a guitar, accidentally trips and falls, prompting Zhang You Ting to rush over to help. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao Qing faces a mishap as the coffee table she painstakingly bought gets a corner chipped during transportation, leaving her both frustrated and amused.
To prepare for the arrival of the production team, the residents of the hutong get busy renovating their small courtyards, eager to present their best side on camera. However, there are also minor incidents, such as Lei Zi getting injured during renovations and needing to be taken to the hospital, which leaves everyone worried yet helpless. Du Man Tang steps in to calm everyone down, urging them not to believe rumors and to stay rational and united. Amid this atmosphere, Kua Gu Zhi Hutong is quietly undergoing changes, waiting for its moment in the spotlight.
Comments(Episode 1)