Episode 12 recap: Wang Xiao Qing Prepares to Open a Guesthouse
In Episode 12, after a night out with her colleagues, Wang Xiao Qing returns to the alley feeling a bit tipsy, just as Du Man Tang arrives home. She mysteriously hints that she has some good news but keeps it to herself as she wobbles into her room. Once inside, she finds her roommate, Du Li, playing the guitar. Upon seeing her, Du Li quickly puts the guitar down and pours Wang Xiao Qing a drink to help her sober up.
Wang Xiao Qing encourages Du Li to keep playing, but Du Li worries that she might be upset over Du Man Tang. Wang Xiao Qing shakes her head and reveals that she’s actually dreaming about a bright future.
Excitedly, she shares that she has "struck it rich." Du Li assumes it's a small amount, but to her surprise, Wang Xiao Qing gestures "four tens," meaning four hundred thousand! In shock, Du Li suggests they celebrate further.
Wang Xiao Qing calculates her savings, and along with the two hundred fifty thousand she got back from her lease, she now has a total of six hundred fifty thousand. She dreams of using this money to open a guesthouse. Initially skeptical, Du Li warms to the idea when Wang Xiao Qing generously offers to keep one hundred thousand for herself, giving the rest to Du Li.
Wang Xiao Qing jokes that one hundred thousand is enough for her to travel most of China, and who knows, she might even find a romantic sunset encounter along the way. This makes Du Li laugh, and the two quickly decide to go ahead with the guesthouse plan.
Meanwhile, Du Man Tang is worried about his brother, Du Man Yi, who is in the U.S. The recent news of a shooting incident has him on edge, especially since he can’t get through to his brother on the phone.
Just then, Xiao Gao, who is looking for a job, calls to inform Du Man Tang that he starts work tomorrow. Still distracted, Du Man Tang agrees absentmindedly.
In the alley, Lao Ai becomes obsessed with getting likes on his short videos, but his efforts yield no results, driving him a bit mad. Meanwhile, Aunt Zhang praises Zhang Ze Zhong for fixing the cellar while watching videos.
At his new hotel job, Du Man Tang learns that his main task is to maintain a good relationship with an important client, Teacher Guan. Zhang Ze Zhong, on the other hand, is busy with his son’s wedding planning, having booked an extravagant venue that Zhang You Ting opposes as being too extravagant.
Frustrated with his own work, Zhang Ze Zhong returns to the alley, where Lao Ai pressures him for likes. He proposes hosting a gathering with friends to enjoy hot pot and film videos to gain views, which Lao Ai eagerly agrees to, though he requests that Zhang Ze Zhong cover the expenses due to financial difficulties. Meanwhile, Du Man Tang faces complaints from clients at the hotel, complicating his new job.
Throughout the day, the people in the alley grapple with their own concerns and hopes: Wang Xiao Qing’s aspirations for the future, Du Man Tang’s worries about his brother, Zhang Ze Zhong’s sense of family responsibility, and Lao Ai’s desire for online popularity. These seemingly mundane moments weave together the tapestry of their lives.
After navigating a series of small episodes, they may come to appreciate the people and experiences in front of them even more as they continue on their individual paths.
Comments(Episode 12)