Binary Love Episode 1 Recap
> Binary Love Recap
A spirited young woman, Zhou Linlin, runs out into the hallway, jumps onto her skateboard with a deep leap, and skates away handsomely, captivating Fang Yuke. He describes his admiration for her as profound, believing her presence and smile illuminate his world. He interprets the Sigma symbol on a nearby bucket as a sign for summation, hoping this "calculated encounter," or long-anticipated reunion, will finally lead to a meaningful change in their relationship.
Zhou Linlin, engrossed in her phone, looks up to see Fang Yuke approaching. He tells her he wants to patch things up, but she glances at his elaborate setup and sarcastically suggests he use Sigma to sum up the "roadblocks" he's placed between them. As she attempts to leave, a kite blows in, and Fang Yuke pulls her to safety. They tumble onto the grass, resulting in an accidental kiss that leaves both of them stunned.
Fang Yuke, in his narration, observes that he accounts for all variables except the wind, which consistently causes their relationship to spiral out of control. Zhou Linlin, without his explanation, immediately recognizes the wind as the culprit. Fang Yuke sincerely apologizes and offers her a lemon candy, but Zhou Linlin, holding her skateboard, warns him to stay away before striking him with it. She attributes this action to the wind as well.
Fang Yuke notes this as a "qualitative change," as she had never resorted to physical action during his previous apologies. The narrative flashes back to August 2007, when they were seven years old. Little Fang Yuke is playing with a Rubik's Cube on the stairs when other children scatter its pieces. Little Zhou Linlin intervenes, scaring off the bullies with bugs and then thoughtfully reassembling the cube for him.
She tells Fang Yuke that she understands why others might not like him, but she does. As she runs off, he follows, and she shares a lemon candy with him. Fang Yuke narrates how he grew to love lemon candy, not for its taste, but for the precious moments Zhou Linlin fed it to him, wishing time could stand still as he watched her smile and play.
Years later, in September 2015, during high school, it rains heavily as Fang Yuke waits at a bus stop, declining umbrellas from several girls. He spots Zhou Linlin, uniquely protected by a raincoat draped over her umbrella, and smiles. He admires her imaginative and unique spirit, noting he can always spot her from afar. Shielding himself with his backpack, he joins her under her umbrella.
She playfully complains about the lack of space, but as they walk, she hands him a love letter. Zhou Linlin reads the opening line, "Fang Yuke, I like you. Could you like me, too?" Fang Yuke is elated, believing she reciprocates his feelings. However, Zhou Linlin quickly clarifies that the letter is from her friend, Lin Xue, and the opening was her own impromptu addition. Disappointed, Fang Yuke dismisses the letter as "poorly written" and departs.
Upon hearing Fang Yuke's harsh criticism, Lin Xue cries, and Zhou Linlin promises to write a new, more effective love letter for her. For a period, Zhou Linlin diligently writes and reads love letters on behalf of Lin Xue to Fang Yuke, often met with his weary tolerance. Fang Yuke yearns for a letter signed by Zhou Linlin herself, a hope that remains unfulfilled.
One day, during a school inspection, Fang Yuke secretly arranges to meet Zhou Linlin in the broadcasting studio, planning to confess his feelings. However, as Zhou Linlin unexpectedly arrives, a gust of wind knocks over a book, accidentally activating the school-wide broadcast. Before he can speak, Zhou Linlin begins reading a love letter she'd prepared for Lin Xue, inadvertently broadcasting her confession to the entire school.
Students are shocked, and Lin Xue is upset, believing Zhou Linlin is confessing for herself. Just as Fang Yuke is about to declare that they should "no longer be friends" (a prelude to asking her out), a teacher rushes in, frantically trying to shut off the broadcast. Zhou Linlin, misunderstanding, believes Fang Yuke deliberately set her up and is escorted away by the furious teacher.
Fang Yuke narrates that the "annoying wind" derailed his plans, and his attempts to salvage the situation were in vain. Following the incident, the school decides to punish Zhou Linlin. Fang Yuke pleads with his teacher, insisting on taking full responsibility himself, even offering to forfeit his direct admission to Qing University, a rare honor as the city's sole recommended student.
He adamantly states he cannot let her bear the blame and asks to be punished instead, despite his teacher's advice to prioritize his future. Despite his desperate appeals, Zhou Linlin decides to transfer to another school. Fang Yuke reflects that this "accident caused by wind" led to their prolonged separation. In September 2018, the narrative returns to the present.
Zhou Linlin and Fang Yuke, both admitted to Southern University, find themselves on the same train, an arrangement made by their mothers. Fang Yuke's mother, Ms. Hong Xia, booked them adjacent sleeper berths, and their mothers even bought them matching outfits and luggage. Zhou Linlin, frustrated by the arrangement and the train attendant mistaking them for a couple, calls her mother.
Her mother cheerfully confirms the matchmaking efforts, declaring that Zhou Linlin's "puppy love" from high school is now officially sanctioned and that they must "stay together and take care of each other." Fang Yuke corroborates this, having received similar instructions from his mother. Zhou Linlin, still annoyed, reminds him of the skateboard incident and warns him to keep his distance. Upon arriving at Nanshan Railway Station amidst a heavy downpour, Zhou Linlin accidentally grabs Fang Yuke's identical suitcase.
After exchanging luggage, she realizes she's forgotten her umbrella. Fang Yuke offers his, but she declines, searching her bag in vain. He then attempts to walk off in the rain, hoping to elicit her sympathy, but his plan is thwarted by the unexpected arrival of Xie Duanxi, a sophomore from Southern University's School of Biology, who is there to greet freshmen.
Xie Duanxi offers Zhou Linlin a ride, much to Fang Yuke's chagrin, as he had hoped for alone time with her. In the taxi, Zhou Linlin, who believes an online mentor named 'Genius Yu' (Yu Shen) assisted her with her university admission, asks Xie Duanxi if he knows anyone named Yu from his department. Fang Yuke, secretly Genius Yu, realizes his hidden identity is on the verge of exposure. He repeatedly interrupts Zhou Linlin's inquiries, earning her irritation.
Simultaneously, a news report announces an early typhoon, leading to the closure of the Cross-sea Bridge. Fang Yuke is frustrated by Xie Duanxi's presence, seeing him as an unwanted "third wheel." The typhoon forces the taxi to stop before the bridge, stranding Zhou Linlin, Fang Yuke, and Xie Duanxi on an island. They find the Seaside Heart Homestay, but only one room is available. Fang Yuke suggests Zhou Linlin take the room while he and Xie Duanxi seek other accommodations.
Zhou Linlin, finding this unchivalrous, texts Genius Yu for help finding a place to stay and hears a unique ringtone from Fang Yuke's phone. Suspecting a peculiar coincidence, she expresses her desire to investigate. Fang Yuke, fearing exposure, tries to leave with Xie Duanxi. However, Zhou Linlin insists they all share the single room, expressing her intention to use the opportunity to get to know them better.
Fang Yuke, despite his protests, continues to look for ways to make Xie Duanxi leave. Zhou Linlin calls her mother, explaining their predicament, who jokes about it being a "long-cherished plot" by the parents. Xie Duanxi, perplexed by Fang Yuke's attempts to get him to leave since they met, questions his behavior. Unfazed, Zhou Linlin ushers them into the room, declaring they'll "have fun all night."
