Episode 2 recap: # Wang Xiao Qing's Coffee Table Incident
In Episode 2, as Du Li arrives home, her eyes land on the newly purchased coffee table. She smiles at Wang Xiao Qing and says, "Xiao Qing, you really went through a lot to bring this table back from so far. But why does it have a chip in it? Let's not cook today; let's just order takeout." Holding her phone, Wang Xiao Qing replies with a hint of frustration, "You didn't even listen to the voice message I sent. How would you know what I’m thinking?" Du Li laughs and responds, "My dad, Du Man Tang, said we should just listen to your voice messages and go along with whatever you say."
Curious, Wang Xiao Qing asks, "What about my dad?" They start scrolling through their previous chat history. Du Man Tang had jokingly mentioned that Wang Xiao Qing was entering menopause, advising her not to take things too seriously. Wang Xiao Qing chuckles ruefully, thinking that if she really were going through menopause, Du Man Tang shouldn't be worrying so much about renovations when they’ve never even lived in a new house.
Before she can finish her thought, Du Man Tang walks in and, seeing the large coffee table in the living room, exclaims, "Xiao Qing, did you buy a ping pong table?" Wang Xiao Qing, feeling annoyed, ignores him. Du Man Tang starts moving a flower pot upstairs and asks for her help, but she flatly refuses. They begin to argue, with Du Man Tang insisting the table takes up too much space and is a waste of money, while Wang Xiao Qing insists that she likes it and stubbornly says that if everything had been planned out, she wouldn’t have married him in the first place.
Meanwhile, the production team had originally planned to film in Kua Gu Zhi Hutong but had to cancel, leaving the residents feeling frustrated after their efforts. Many approached the crew for an explanation and learned that Du Man Tang had blocked the shoot. While they understood his responsibility as the director, they couldn’t shake their disappointment.
Seeing that the coffee table was indeed in the way, Du Man Tang called Wang Xiao Qing to discuss what to do with it. Busy with work, she told him to make the decision. He then cleverly decided to turn the coffee table into a ping pong table.
Later, Wang Xiao Qing receives a business trip assignment and is reminded by her boss to maintain a good image. Reluctantly, she returns to the office to find that the Mid-Autumn Festival gift is pickled vegetables, leaving her with a bitter smile.
On her way home, she encounters two girls in dance outfits, triggering memories of her days as a dance performer. She feels a lingering regret after retiring due to an injury. When she gets home, she tells Du Man Tang about her upcoming business trip to Qingdao. Initially indifferent, he casually praises the destination once he learns where she’s going.
Wang Xiao Qing then discovers that the coffee table is gone. When she asks about it, she finds out that Du Man Tang disposed of it without charging her a dime, leaving her both amused and exasperated. At that moment, Old Ai from the hutong arrives with a group of residents seeking answers about the canceled filming. However, they leave quickly, leaving only Old Ai behind.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ze Zhong, drunk and unresponsive, is rushed to the hospital by his family. After waking up, he remains lost in dreams of a beach vacation until a doctor pulls him back to reality with a loud shout.
Du Li, hearing about Wang Xiao Qing’s business trip, makes a special trip to the airport to see her off, while Du Man Tang simply calls a cab for her. At the same time, Zhang Ze Zhong's "adventure" adds a touch of drama to the day in the hutong. Life continues for everyone, unfolding in the midst of everyday chaos and unexpected events.
Comments(Episode 2)