Binary Love Episode 2 Recap
> Binary Love Recap
Zhou Linlin, Fang Yuke, and Xie Duanxi were playing cards in a hotel room when Zhou Linlin directly confronted Xie Duanxi, asking if he was Genius Yu. Fang Yuke, reflecting inwardly, realized Linlin had "detonated the time bomb" and that "the tension was reaching flashpoint." He wished he "wouldn't use the identity of Genius Yu" if he had a second chance, wondering why the name "Genius Yu" was so annoying.
The narrative then flashes back to Zhou Linlin's earlier high school days. After her transfer, her grades plummeted, earning her criticism from teachers. Feeling down, she overheard classmates discussing the "Straight-A Students Forum" and decided to post a question there. On her way home, she encountered a pervert, but bravely used her skateboard to scare him off, though she was left shaken and in tears. Upon returning home, she found a birthday cake.
Her parents, busy with work, had left her to celebrate alone. She lit the candles, made a wish, and then, seeing a shooting star, wished for everything to become smoother. Just then, a reply appeared on the Straight-A Students Forum from "Genius Yu." He wished her a happy birthday, encouraged her with the adage, "If you can't reach by tiptoeing, try jumping," and offered to help her with her studies.
With Genius Yu's consistent support and her own hard work, Linlin successfully gained admission to Southern University. Around that time, Fang Yuke felt it was time for Genius Yu to disappear and stopped replying to her messages. Back in the present, Xie Duanxi denied being Genius Yu. To prevent further questions, Fang Yuke abruptly declared he needed to change his wet clothes to avoid catching a cold and insisted Linlin leave the room.
When she suggested he use the bathroom, he claimed it had no door and he couldn't change with her there. He then falsely stated that he and Xie Duanxi often changed together and that Xie Duanxi would help him, which Xie Duanxi unconvincingly confirmed. Suspicious, Linlin stepped out and sent a message to Genius Yu, hoping to see whose phone would ring. Anticipating her move, Fang Yuke quickly silenced his phone.
He had also previously removed his Genius Yu account from the Straight-A Students Forum, ensuring neither his nor Xie Duanxi's phone would respond to her message. After Linlin returned, Xie Duanxi questioned Fang Yuke about why he hadn't revealed his identity as Genius Yu, especially since he used the account to tutor her. Fang Yuke explained that Linlin "hates to be deceived most," and with "too many misunderstandings" between them, telling her now would only make her "hate him more."
Xie Duanxi observed that Fang Yuke, despite his calm demeanor, was "panicking" and easily defeated by Linlin. Fang Yuke retorted by mocking Xie Duanxi's failed "hybridization experiments," claiming his friend's speech harmed "photosynthesis," before announcing he was going to change. Xie Duanxi, ever supportive, followed him, offering to help. The three then resumed their card game, adding a new rule: whoever touched their phone would lose.
Linlin sent another message to Genius Yu, but with the account removed, neither phone reacted. Linlin lost the round, and Fang Yuke gently flicked her forehead as punishment. Unexpectedly, Linlin developed a nosebleed, which Fang Yuke meticulously cleaned for her. Later, as Linlin slept, she dreamed of both Fang Yuke and Xie Duanxi lying beside her, hugging her. She woke up startled to find only Fang Yuke sitting on a nearby chair; Xie Duanxi had already left.
The next morning, Linlin and Fang Yuke traveled to Southern University. At the campus entrance, Fang Yuke requested a photo with her to "report safety" to their mothers. Linlin reluctantly agreed, commenting that it was "a good omen to take a photo and break up," implying her intention to go their separate ways.
Internally, Fang Yuke declared that "the story of her and me has begun its new chapter," resolving to first become Linlin's friend again, then her boyfriend, and openly stay by her side. Linlin, however, quickly walked away, telling him not to follow her. Zhou Linlin located her dorm room, 318, in the Industrial Design department. She met her new roommate, Zhu Li, who preferred to be called "Li" and was a municipal top scorer.
Soon, another roommate, Wang Jie, arrived, a provincial top scorer of science. Feeling out of her depth, Linlin jokingly introduced herself as "Zhou Linlin who came here by luck." The roommates discussed their ambitious college plans: Zhu Li aimed to study for IELTS and attend ENSBA in Paris, while Wang Jie planned to complete her Ph. D. by age 29 and marry. Linlin shared her current goals: to "do well in industrial design" and "find someone."
Her roommates then informed her about a mandatory "replacement test" for freshmen, designed to "clear out those who came here by luck," warning that failing could lead to a department transfer or even expulsion. Unprepared, Linlin realized she needed to study urgently. Meanwhile, Fang Yuke reached his dorm in the Department of Computer Science.
His roommates, Lao Ding and Wang Yu, who preferred to be called "Da Zui," were engaged in the "INSEC Battle," a tradition where sophomores blocked freshmen's internet access, which freshmen had to unblock to be accepted into the department. Lao Ding enthusiastically introduced Fang Yuke as "Genius Fang Yuke, the top scorer of science of Yaodong Province, who abandoned Qing University for School of Computer Science of Southern University." No freshmen team had ever succeeded in this challenge before.
Fang Yuke quickly took charge, and with his expertise, they successfully regained their internet access. His roommates were astonished, hailing him as their "boss." Fang Yuke formally introduced himself to his new roommates. Linlin and her roommates, Zhu Li and Wang Jie, hurried to the library to study for the replacement test.
While struggling with the material, Linlin was surprised when Fang Yuke appeared, offering a tip and an exercise book, advising her to master all the previous exam question types. This guidance helped clarify the concepts for her. A flashback to October 3, 2016, showed a younger Fang Yuke with a fever, calling Xie Duanxi to borrow his Straight-A Students Forum account.
He reflected that he borrowed the account to approach Linlin because he was afraid she would recognize him, concluding he "must have been out of my mind because of the fever" to make such a "bad decision." Back in the present, during the replacement test, Ye Ruting, the "Prettiest Girl of our department" who rarely attends, made a dramatic entrance. She elegantly walked but got her high heel stuck.
Xie Duanxi, who was an invigilator for the test and was carrying a shade plant (Hosta) under an umbrella, helped her. He was more concerned about protecting the plant from direct sunlight than Ye Ruting's beauty. Ye Ruting was visibly drawn to Xie Duanxi. Later, during the exam, Linlin found herself stuck on a problem. She recalled Genius Yu's advice to relax by tapping the Morse code for "R" (Di-Da-Di).
As she tapped, she recognized this as one of Fang Yuke's habitual movements, raising a frightening suspicion that Genius Yu might indeed be Fang Yuke. Ye Ruting finished her test early and, in an attempt to make an impression, dramatically wrote her full name on her paper before handing it to Xie Duanxi. Xie Duanxi noticed she had left something behind but she had already departed.
An invigilator noticed a student, possibly Linlin, appeared unwell with a fever and gently suggested she go home to rest, assuring her that missing a day would not significantly impact her good academic standing.
