Binary Love Episode 16 Recap
> Binary Love Recap
In February 2019, Zhou Linlin arrived in Paris with Wen Tao. While video calling Fang Yuke, Linlin checked out an apartment, expressing her delight at being able to see the Eiffel Tower from the window. However, the agent suddenly demanded double the agreed-upon rent. Wen Tao, present at the viewing, offered to pay the increased rent for Linlin.
From China, Fang Yuke quickly found the actual rental information online, discovering the real landlord was French and the rent was indeed 1,000 euros a month. He forwarded the details to Linlin and emailed the landlord, exposing the agent's scam. The agent was forced to leave, and Linlin secured the apartment at the fair price. Afterwards, Linlin asked Wen Tao to leave so she could rest, despite his offer to help clean up.
She then confessed to Fang Yuke that she already regretted not packing him in her suitcase and bringing him along, as she missed him terribly. Fang Yuke reassured her that a year would pass quickly, and they would reunite after she completed her master class and he finished his project.
The next day, Linlin received a bouquet of flowers from Fang Yuke, with a note wishing her good luck with her first class and signed "Your Fang who loves you," a gesture she found sweet if a bit cheesy. She lovingly arranged the flowers, placing a photo of them together nearby. As Linlin began her master class in design, taught by Starck, half a year passed.
Zhu Li voiced how empty she felt without Linlin in their dorm, calling the space incomplete. She also championed the botanical garden as an ideal dating spot for its photo opportunities, endless conversation starters with various plants, and affordable entrance fee. Inspired, Ruting surprised Xie Duanxi by suggesting they go to the botanical garden that weekend, despite having turned him down many times before.
During their date, Ruting wanted Xie Duanxi to photograph her, but he became distracted by an ailing leaf, diagnosing it with rust disease and engaging staff in a discussion about plant health. Ruting was exasperated, declaring she never thought she'd compete with a leaf for her attention. Later, when she expressed her fondness for roses, Xie Duanxi corrected her, explaining the botanical differences between roses and Chinese roses.
Ruting, frustrated that he focused on academics rather than her feelings, became angry. After the date, Ruting returned to her dorm and asked her roommates to help her think of a place where "not a single blade of grass grows." Xie Duanxi, bewildered by Ruting's anger, sought advice from Fang Yuke. Fang Yuke, while talking to Xie Duanxi in person, was interrupted by a call from Linlin.
He advised Xie Duanxi that since roses had caused the argument, he should use roses to apologize. After the call, Fang Yuke and Linlin maintained their long-distance relationship through regular video calls, even sharing the same type of drink from the supermarket, feeling close despite the miles. Xie Duanxi then visited Ruting, offering her a jar of rose sauce.
He told her she didn't need to distinguish between roses and Chinese roses, only that the gesture should be sweet, which brought a smile to Ruting's face. When Ruting declared she was cold, Xie Duanxi, despite the warm weather, promptly draped his coat over her shoulders. Ruting then hugged him, affirming that this was indeed the correct answer and that he now knew how to make it up to her next time.
One night, Fang Yuke's alarm went off at 3 AM so he could call Linlin, waking his roommates who playfully complained about his changed schedule since Linlin went abroad. Wen Tao frequently visited Linlin, bringing her food and trying to be helpful. When Linlin mentioned a leaky pipe, Fang Yuke advised her to wrap it with cloth and scheduled a plumber.
Later, Wen Tao noticed the leaky pipe and confidently offered to fix it himself, only to worsen the leak and cause a flood. Fortunately, the plumber Fang Yuke had already scheduled arrived and quickly resolved the issue. During a subsequent video call with Linlin, Fang Yuke saw Wen Tao still in her apartment, sparking his jealousy. His friends in China, witnessing his distress over Wen Tao's presence in Linlin's life, decided to rally behind him.
Two of his friends joined the 827 project, even locking up their video games as a sign of commitment, to help Fang Yuke finish faster so he could visit Linlin. Fang Yuke echoed their sentiment, vowing to complete the project as soon as possible to fly to France. Linlin and Wen Tao were preparing to cook when Fang Yuke surprised her by ordering takeout for her, declaring the surprise was on its way.
Linlin received the takeout, which Wen Tao sniffed at, calling unhealthy. He continued to insist they cook, despite Linlin being amused by Fang Yuke's gesture. During a video call, Linlin mentioned her upcoming birthday and offered Fang Yuke three wishes. For his first wish, he wished for her health, happiness, and for her to eat well. For his second wish, he wished he could finish his studies and return to her soon.
For the third wish, he said he yearned for an "Anywhere Door" to be with her anytime, anywhere. He confidently told her the project was going well and didn't need wishes for it. Fang Yuke eventually completed the preliminary phase of the 827 project. When he went to Professor Chen, hoping to ask for leave, he was instead introduced to Manager Wang, who praised the software and asked Fang Yuke's team to immediately plan for the beta testing phase.
Fang Yuke silently accepted the new work, his hopes of visiting Linlin dashed. He apologized to Linlin over the phone, explaining his travel was delayed indefinitely. Linlin, understanding, reassured him she could take care of herself and urged him to focus on his work, promising to video call him to celebrate her birthday. That night, as Linlin walked home, two men accosted her, demanding her phone so she couldn't call the police.
Fang Yuke called her, but her phone had been stolen, so she couldn't answer. Just as the men cornered her, Wen Tao arrived, carrying a birthday cake he intended as a surprise. Seeing Linlin in danger, he immediately confronted the men, fighting them off. Linlin seized the opportunity to retrieve her phone and call the police. As the police sirens grew closer, the attackers fled, but not before one of them stabbed Wen Tao. Linlin frantically tried to stop the bleeding, crying for help as Wen Tao, losing consciousness, managed to whisper, "Happy birthday, Linlin."
