Cute Programmer Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Cute Programmer Synopsis
Lu Li is a female programmer who pursues her career aspirations and strives in the programming field. With her excellent resume and amazing intelligence, she succeeds in getting into the startup company established by Jiang Yicheng and also helps Jiang Yicheng to settle numerous difficult blind dates.
Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng bonded over programming and became roommates by coincidence.
Cute female programmer and arrogant narcissist president, staged a warm and sweet love romance during they were getting along.
Cute Programmer Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Driven by her ambition to pass Enchant Technology's challenging test, Lu Li, a talented programmer, was determined to break the company's unwritten rule of never hiring female programmers. She took a drastic step, cutting her hair short and styling it to appear as masculine and "ugly" as possible. Afterwards, her friend Gu Xiaoqi brought over a wig, making them both realize there had been a much simpler way to create the disguise.
Lu Li decided to use the wig over her now-short hair, convinced this transformation was necessary to seize her singular opportunity. Meanwhile, Jiang Yicheng, the CEO of Enchant Technology, displayed his highly rational and detached nature during an arranged blind date.
He analytically compared an art piece to programming concepts and then proceeded to "interview" two women simultaneously, likening one to a complex Linux system and the other to an easily crashed Windows system, openly stating he was "forced" to be there. Coincidentally, Lu Li and Gu Xiaoqi were dining in the same restaurant.
While Xiaoqi was repulsed by Jiang Yicheng's behavior, labeling him a "jerk" and recording his actions on her phone, Lu Li found herself unexpectedly captivated, experiencing love at first sight. When one of the rejected women splashed water on Jiang Yicheng, Lu Li instinctively offered him a tissue, while Xiaoqi continued to voice her disapproval. The next day, Lu Li visited her former mentor, Professor Li, who advised her to pursue academic research rather than enter the job market.
Professor Li then revealed his intention to introduce her to an outstanding senior from her field—none other than Jiang Yicheng. When Jiang Yicheng arrived, Lu Li, caught in a partial disguise, became flustered. Fearing her plan would be exposed, she made an excuse about having "ink on her face" and fled. Jiang Yicheng, put off by her odd behavior, later told Professor Li that he no longer accepted "female apprentices."
Back home, Lu Li looked through a cherished photo album filled with memories of Jiang Yicheng from their school days, recalling her long-standing admiration for him. Her recent encounters intensified her feelings, and she began to dream of working by his side at Enchant Technology. Lu Li, now in her convincing male disguise, arrived at Enchant Technology for her interview.
A comical mix-up led her to the women's restroom, where she was labeled a "peeping tom" before Vice President Chen Yiming intervened, clarifying that she was merely a nervous interviewee. Meanwhile, the video of Jiang Yicheng's blind date went viral, painting him as a jerk. Having seen Lu Li in the background of the video offering him a tissue, Jiang Yicheng mistakenly blamed her for filming it.
When he saw her resume during the interview, he recognized her and, seeking revenge, ruthlessly failed her, demanding she delete the video. That night, Gu Xiaoqi posted a public apology, taking full responsibility and pleading for Lu Li to be given another chance. However, Jiang Yicheng coldly refused, dismissing Lu Li as "too girly" and unsuited for the job, despite Chen Yiming pointing out that her impressive resume was almost identical to his own.
Lu Li's mother, Huang Caixia, met her for a meal, insisting she eat a large amount to justify the cost of the event they were attending. During the meal, they encountered Huang Caixia's old high school rival, and the two mothers began comparing their children. The situation escalated dramatically when the rival's son arrived—Jiang Yicheng. Horrified, Lu Li frantically tried to escape, ultimately leaping into a nearby swimming pool to hide.
Seeing bubbles on the surface, Jiang Yicheng mistakenly assumed she was drowning and jumped in to rescue her. In her panic, Lu Li accidentally kicked him and swam away, leaving a bewildered Jiang Yicheng to call her a "weird woman." Despite his mother's attempts to arrange more dates, Jiang Yicheng remained disinterested, his thoughts lingering on the "weird woman" from the pool.
Meanwhile, Lu Li relentlessly pursued Jiang Yicheng, following him on his morning run to apologize for the video and present her project proposals. She asserted that Enchant Technology was her "only option," but he repeatedly dismissed her with technical metaphors, stating her "for loop was useless" and that all positions were "filled." Just as Jiang Yicheng entered the company, his formidable father, Old Jiang, a major shareholder, appeared.
Having cleared the area for privacy, he threatened to reclaim the company's office floors and leave his son jobless if he didn't attend another blind date by noon. At this crucial moment, Lu Li approached again, desperately stating she could solve any problem. A calculating look crossed Jiang Yicheng's face as he formulated a plan. Jiang Yicheng brought Lu Li to a rock climbing gym, introducing him in his male disguise to his blind date, Miss Jin, as "Lu."
He then proposed a rock climbing competition: the winner could make one demand of the loser. Lu Li was tasked with helping Jiang Yicheng get out of the date. Though she admitted a fear of heights, Lu Li declared her fear of losing the opportunity was greater. Determined to win, she saw her unrequited love as a program that needed constant optimization until it could successfully run.
Episode 2 Recap
Despite her acrophobia, Lu Li bravely climbed a daunting wall, reaching the top and securing a star, an impressive feat that earned Jiang Yicheng's acknowledgment that she had passed his test. Jiang Yicheng, who proudly stated that only mediocre people rush to find a partner, expressed relief that Lu Li had helped him deal with his blind date.
However, this calm was shattered when a pigeon suddenly landed nearby, causing Jiang Yicheng to descend into a panic, screaming and losing all composure. Seeing his intense fear, Lu Li calmly instructed him to close his eyes and gently guided him away from the birds, leading him out of the park. As a result, Jiang Yicheng agreed to allow Lu Li to join his company, on the strict condition that she would handle all his future blind dates.
Lu Li internally saw this as a pivotal moment, a "master key" bringing her one step closer to her goal. On her first day of work, Lu Li maintained her male disguise with encouragement from Gu Xiaoqi, who assured her that no one would see through her act. Lu Li arrived at the programming department and was greeted by Zhang Zhiyuan, the team leader known as Old Ape.
He introduced her to quirky, logic-driven programmers like Lin Shutian and Brother Lei. Lu Li noted the team's fondness for checkered shirts, which they jokingly claimed helped "reduce the number of bugs." She also learned the department was an all-male environment because of Jiang Yicheng's past negative experience with a female programmer. Later, while completing her onboarding paperwork, a female staff member in administration was instantly charmed by Lu Li, openly flirting and trying to see her ID card.
Lu Li narrowly avoided exposure by pretending the ID was expired and snatching it back. The crises continued when Zhang Zhiyuan, noticing something odd about Lu Li, suspected she was wearing a wig. He quickly dismissed the idea, instead concluding Lu Li had premature hair loss, a common "occupational disease" among programmers, and even offered to send her links for anti-hair loss shampoos.
To celebrate Lu Li's arrival, Old Ape organized a "highest level of welcome"—a team gaming session at an e-sports center. Lu Li showcased exceptional skill, leading their team to decisive victories that frustrated their opponents. One disgruntled player provoked Lu Li, and the confrontation escalated until he threw a headset and verbally assaulted her, calling her a "sissy" before attempting to throw a punch.
Jiang Yicheng swiftly intervened, grabbing the attacker's fist and declaring that Lu Li was his person, forcing the man to apologize. He then intimidated the group by revealing his "superpower"—being "super rich"—and threatening to sue them with the best lawyers, pointing out the 360-degree cameras. Afterward, Lu Li questioned Jiang Yicheng about his tendency to attract trouble, to which he countered that the man had insulted him first and challenged the notion that a man must be traditionally "manly."
Concerned that her disguise was wearing thin after being questioned about her lack of an Adam's apple, Lu Li and Gu Xiaoqi devised a plan. The next day, Gu Xiaoqi staged a dramatic scene at the company, acting as an overly clingy girlfriend. In front of the captivated programmers, Lu Li sternly rebuffed her, telling her never to come to the company again and coldly walking away from her tearful pleas.
The performance solidified Lu Li’s image as a decisive man who couldn’t be tied down, earning him the admiration of his colleagues and placing him at the "top of the programmers' chain of contempt." However, the act was witnessed by Gu Mo, the company's Art Director and Gu Xiaoqi's protective older brother. Shocked, he angrily confronted his sister, who playfully claimed Lu Li was her "boyfriend" and told Gu Mo to "look after your brother-in-law," much to his fury.
To formally welcome Lu Li, Chen Yiming invited her and Jiang Yicheng to dinner, introducing Lu Li as their junior from university. When asked about her idol, Lu Li, hiding her feelings for Jiang Yicheng, named Chen Yiming. Annoyed, Jiang Yicheng placed a shrimp on Lu Li's plate. Despite her severe allergy, Lu Li ate it, not wanting to refuse a gesture from him.
She quickly had an allergic reaction, and Chen Yiming, noticing her discomfort, discreetly gave her an ointment. Later, Jiang Yicheng summoned Lu Li to his office to debug code. As Lu Li worked, she kept stealing glances at him. Noticing her distraction, Jiang Yicheng approached from behind, leaning closely over her shoulders to guide her, causing Lu Li's heart to race.
As Lu Li was about to leave work, Zhang Zhiyuan announced a mandatory weekend team-building event at a hot spring resort, to the dismay of the other programmers. Lu Li then returned home and recounted the day to Gu Xiaoqi, confirming their fake breakup was a success. Gu Xiaoqi then explained the "little accident": her encounter with her meddlesome brother, Gu Mo. She warned Lu Li to be cautious around him, promising her godparents would intervene if he caused trouble.
Gu Xiaoqi also informed Lu Li that she would be out of town for an anime exhibition for a few days, reminding her not to slip up and reveal her identity. Alone, Lu Li reflected on her feelings for Jiang Yicheng, thinking, "Liking you isn't a bug, so there's no need to debug it."
Episode 3 Recap
Following up on Lu Li's new role as his "shield," Jiang Yicheng's personal life comes under scrutiny from his mother, Yueru. Concerned that her 28-year-old son is still single, Yueru is alarmed by rumors from her friends that Yicheng has been bringing a man to his blind dates. She dispatches her daughter, Jiang Zitong, who has a crush on Chen Yiming, to investigate her brother's company, fearing the man in question is Chen Yiming.
Meanwhile, Lu Li is confronted by Director Gu, who is revealed to be Gu Xiaoqi's protective older brother. Showing Lu Li a private photo of her with Jiang Yicheng, Director Gu threatens to have her fired unless she immediately breaks up with his sister. Lu Li reluctantly agrees, explaining that Xiaoqi is out of town, and promises to find a suitable excuse for the breakup.
Director Gu warns her to stay away from Xiaoqi and promises to delete the photo once the split is confirmed. Jiang Zitong's arrival at the office triggers an alarm, earning her the nickname "Witch Jiang," and her panicked colleagues push Chen Yiming to handle her. Zitong confronts him, asking if he's the one accompanying her brother on dates. Chen Yiming denies any interest in her brother.
When Zitong's own affections for him become clear, he gently rebuffs her, explaining he only sees her as a younger sister. Relieved that he isn't romantically involved with her brother, Zitong promptly drags Chen Yiming out for a shopping trip. Jiang Yicheng, aware of the situation, grants Chen Yiming a day off, and in their haste, Zitong and Yiming accidentally break a glass door. The company announces a team-building trip to a hot spring resort.
Lu Li fakes a house leak and claims her phone is out of service to avoid the trip, but Jiang Yicheng calls her bluff and forces her into his car. His reckless driving terrifies Lu Li, and he teases her, calling her a "koala" for her slow reactions. Due to their late arrival, they are forced to share the last available room, a suite with a king-sized bed.
Flustered, Lu Li flees the room only to be ambushed by her programming colleagues, who drag her to the men's hot spring. To protect her identity, she wears a full-coverage swimsuit, baffling her teammates who were expecting her to wear only a towel like a "real man." While in the hot spring, the male programmers discover a bug that lets them peep into the adjacent women's bath. They are caught by the female employees, led by Ms. Yezi.
Lu Li, who tried to warn them, gets caught in the middle of the confrontation. Jiang Yicheng arrives and supports the women's proposed punishment: the entire programming team must wear women's clothing to work for a day. When Lu Li tries to profess her innocence, Jiang Yicheng mistakenly assumes she was involved and teases her for having such a "fetish." Later, Lu Li encounters Chen Yiming outside the hotel.
He expresses concern upon learning she is sharing a room with Jiang Yicheng and offers to find her another, but she informs him they are all booked. He then reveals that he knows she wasn't involved in the peeping incident because he "accidentally" discovered she is a woman—a fact he learned earlier when he saw her wearing a chest binder in the men's changing room.
Lu Li goes to a distant pharmacy to buy a pain-relieving patch for Jiang Yicheng's neck. Back in their room, she applies it for him. Thirsty, Jiang Yicheng drinks two cans of beer with a straw and quickly becomes intoxicated. In his drunken state, he becomes clingy and repeatedly asks for a hug, forcing Lu Li to struggle to get him into bed. The next morning, Jiang Zitong arrives, sent by her father to find the "troublemaker" with her brother.
She enters their room and finds Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li asleep in bed together. Misunderstanding the scene, she jokingly anticipates inheriting the family fortune after their father disowns Yicheng. A groggy Yicheng clarifies that Lu Li is just his "shield." Realizing it's a ruse, Zitong demands hush money. To silence her, Yicheng agrees to let her join his company. Now part of the team, Jiang Zitong suggests a horse riding outing.
Chen Yiming, aware of Lu Li's secret, is especially attentive to her at breakfast. At the stables, Lu Li's horse gets spooked and bolts. Jiang Yicheng skillfully rides to her rescue, calming the horse. Impressed by her courage to continue, he offers to teach her properly, explaining that communication with a horse is physical. He mounts the horse behind her to guide her, causing her heart to race.
He then asks if he did anything strange the previous night, having blacked out from the beer, but Lu Li assures him he just fell asleep. As she rides, Lu Li internally reflects that she must hide her growing crush on him, like applying high-precision arithmetic to prevent her feelings from overflowing.
Episode 4 Recap
Continuing from the horse riding excursion, Jiang Zitong watches alongside Lu Li as Jiang Yicheng and Chen Yiming ride. Hearing that Chen Yiming is Lu Li's idol, Zitong asks what Lu Li admires about him. Lu Li uses this as an opportunity to speak about her feelings for Jiang Yicheng, describing him as a guiding light she has been following for years.
Overhearing the conversation, Jiang Yicheng approaches and, after hearing about the "light," declares that he is Lu Li's sun—one that will never go out. He then abruptly ends the outing. Later, as Lu Li heads for the company bus, Jiang Zitong tries to make her ride with her and Jiang Yicheng. Lu Li declines and instead accepts a ride from Chen Yiming, leaving with him.
Lu Li later explains to Gu Xiaoqi that her brother, Gu Mo, took a photo of her with Jiang Yicheng and is using it to demand she break up with Xiaoqi. Furious, Xiaoqi wants to confront him, but Lu Li suggests they stage a breakup to placate him without revealing her secret. Xiaoqi agrees but voices her frustration with her brother's overbearing nature. The conversation then turns to the company's "female attire day" punishment.
Seeing Lu Li's anxiety, Xiaoqi promises to help her prepare an unforgettable look, earning Lu Li's affectionate gratitude. The next day, Lu Li arrives at the office dressed as the beautiful Zixia Fairy from a classic film, leaving her colleagues and Jiang Yicheng stunned. Visibly captivated, Jiang Yicheng summons her to his office and insists she remove the veil that is part of her costume. When he takes it off himself and sees her face, he becomes even more flustered.
To mask his reaction, he gruffly calls the look "hideous" and orders her to change, admitting that the punishment intended for her is now torturing him instead, leaving him to question his own feelings. During lunch, Gu Xiaoqi puts on a convincing performance of being heartbroken over her "breakup" with Lu Li for Gu Mo's benefit. Feigning ignorance, Gu Mo asks for the reason and even offers to have Jiang Yicheng removed from the company.
Xiaoqi calmly explains that they separated amicably due to personality differences, an explanation Gu Mo appears to accept. Later at the office, Lu Li gets her period unexpectedly and texts Gu Xiaoqi for help. Xiaoqi, still with Gu Mo, rushes to the company with supplies. She arrives to find Jiang Yicheng searching for Lu Li, who is hiding in a restroom stall. In a panic, Xiaoqi calls Gu Mo, explaining the situation and asking for his help.
Gu Mo hangs the bag of supplies on the restroom door for Lu Li and then distracts Jiang Yicheng by telling him a concept draft needs his immediate approval. After Jiang Yicheng leaves, Lu Li emerges, looking unwell. Jiang Yicheng returns, and Lu Li claims she has a stomachache. Showing uncharacteristic concern, he insists on driving her home. At her apartment, Gu Xiaoqi rushes out to greet them.
After Jiang Yicheng leaves, Lu Li learns that Xiaoqi had to tell Gu Mo the truth. Xiaoqi reassures a worried Lu Li that Gu Mo has promised to keep her secret. The next day, Gu Mo proves his trustworthiness by giving Lu Li a package on Xiaoqi's behalf, sending her the compromising photo before deleting it, and offering his future support. Jiang Zitong makes a grand entrance at the office, announcing a new fashion-forward policy and banning checkered shirts.
She singles out Lu Li, attempting to forcibly change her clothes until Jiang Yicheng intervenes, reminding his sister that it's a game company, not a fashion show. In his office, he rejects her bid to be Deputy Director of R&D. When she asks for a publicity role to be closer to Chen Yiming, Jiang Yicheng offers her the position of Publicity Director but forbids her from disrupting the technical director, calling her "lovestruck" and giving her a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Lu Li finds Chen Yiming in the breakroom and he offers to teach her how to make latte art. As he patiently guides her, Jiang Yicheng and Jiang Zitong observe them from a distance. Annoyed by their proximity, Jiang Yicheng interrupts, sarcastically asking Lu Li if she was hired to make coffee before pulling her away. Left behind, Jiang Zitong asks Chen Yiming to make a coffee for her with a heart on it.
Jiang Yicheng takes Lu Li to test the company's new VR games. They enter an ancient sword-fighting simulation where he expertly protects her, playfully calling her a "lousy teammate" but reiterating his promise to keep her safe. Afterward, at a sticky wall attraction, Lu Li playfully jumps onto the wall and poses to form the letters "Y" and "C." Jiang Yicheng snaps a photo but is puzzled by the pose.
Lu Li simply smiles and says they are the initials of the person she likes, leaving him completely oblivious. The programming team works late into the night. Having finished her own tasks, Lu Li offers to help her struggling colleagues, bridging the gap between them. The team, including Da Huang, bonds over the shared work, calling each other "best brothers."
Watching them, Chen Yiming nostalgically asks Jiang Yicheng if it reminds him of their early days, but Jiang Yicheng just declares he wants fried chicken. The group decides to take a break for a late-night snack, playfully fighting over the single chicken drumstick. At home, Lu Li's mother, Huang Caixia, despairs over her daughter's wardrobe of men's clothing and drags her to the mall to buy more feminine attire.
While there, Lu Li runs into Jiang Yicheng, who corners her and asks why she always runs from him. She flees into a lingerie store's storeroom to hide. A shop assistant tells a confused Jiang Yicheng that no one is inside, prompting him to leave after making a bizarre excuse about measuring the door. As Lu Li exits the store, she comes face-to-face with Chen Yiming, who was at the mall with Jiang Yicheng, and they lock eyes in mutual recognition.
Episode 5 Recap
Having been discovered by Chen Yiming, Lu Li meets him by a bridge at night to explain herself. Chen Yiming, however, is completely understanding. He admits he accidentally discovered her secret at the hot spring but chose not to expose her, believing she had her reasons. He notes that her gender doesn't change his professional admiration for her.
He hopes she can be the one to finally challenge Jiang Yicheng's rigid stance against female programmers, a prejudice rooted in his private past. Chen Yiming also correctly guesses that he is not the idol Lu Li joined the company for. They agree to keep her identity a secret, with Chen Yiming promising to take responsibility as her direct superior if anything goes wrong.
Touched by his kindness, Lu Li offers to help him with daily tasks, but he simply asks her to be his friend. Meanwhile, Jiang Yicheng is increasingly tormented by his conflicting feelings for the "male" Lu Li and the mysterious woman he keeps encountering. He seeks professional help from a doctor, describing symptoms of distraction, frustration, and constantly thinking about "him." The doctor, after ruling out physical causes, diagnoses him with having a crush.
Jiang Yicheng vehemently rejects this, storming out of the clinic and telling the doctor to "study harder." The next workday, Jiang Yicheng relentlessly picks on Lu Li. When Chen Yiming offers Lu Li some new coffee beans, Jiang Yicheng barges in, demanding a cup as well. Seeing their growing closeness, he questions their intimacy, to which Lu Li cryptically replies that they share a secret.
Irritated by Lu Li praising Chen Yiming's coffee while his own tastes bitter, Jiang Yicheng orders her back to work, but Chen Yiming insists she stay, creating more tension. Later, in his office, Jiang Yicheng stares at the photo of Lu Li forming the letters "Y C" and has a horrifying realization that it could stand for his own name, "Yicheng." Convinced he's going insane, he makes a frantic, bizarre call to his father about losing his mind.
Lu Li's mother, Huang Caixia, arrives at the company to drop off her forgotten employee ID. To avoid a scene, Lu Li rushes down to intercept her. While she's away, Jiang Yicheng spots a cartoon charm on her desk, recognizing it as the one dropped by the mysterious woman at the mall, deepening his suspicion. He calls his own mother to ask if Huang Caixia has a son and then presses the HR department for Lu Li's documents.
Meanwhile, Huang Caixia asks the receptionist to look up her daughter, only to be shown an employee file for a "male" Lu Li. Furious, she confronts Lu Li at home. With her father’s subtle help, Lu Li negotiates a one-week reprieve, promising to resign responsibly after finishing her current tasks. Jiang Yicheng confirms with a professor that Lu Li is indeed a woman, which only fuels his desire to provoke her.
Seeing her looking distressed, Chen Yiming offers his support, and Lu Li confides that her parents have discovered her secret and want her to quit. Fueled by jealousy over her easy camaraderie with Chen Yiming, Jiang Yicheng assigns Lu Li the grueling task of moving a warehouse full of materials by herself. Chen Yiming steps in to help, and they complete the work together.
Later, Chen Yiming visits Lu Li's home and, as her director, praises her talent to her parents, attempting to persuade them to let her stay. However, his visit takes an unexpected turn when her parents, learning he is a successful, single professional, begin trying to set him up with Lu Li, forcing a mortified Lu Li to usher him out.
Afterwards, she presents her mother with a high-end speaker for square dancing, a "sugar-coated bullet" that, with her father's encouragement, begins to soften her mother's resolve. During dinner, Jiang Yicheng needles Chen Yiming about becoming "nosy" and questions if he has noticed anything unusual about Lu Li. Chen Yiming acknowledges Lu Li's unique way of thinking but reveals that they first met during the job interview.
This revelation confuses Jiang Yicheng, as it contradicts his assumption that Chen Yiming was the "idol" Lu Li had joined the company for, leaving him to wonder who she was really talking about.
Episode 6 Recap
Following up on the revelation of Lu Li's gender, her mother, Huang Caixia, remains furious about the deception. To win her parents over, Lu Li works late into the night to create her very first program, "HELLO WORLD," using it to passionately explain her love for coding. She describes programming as a simple world where right and wrong are clear, and finds deep fulfillment in creating things from symbols.
Moved by her sincerity, and after Lu Li pleads for a one-year trial period to prove herself, her father gives his support. Her mother, reminded of her own desire for Lu Li's happiness, reluctantly agrees but insists that finding a boyfriend should remain a priority. The next morning, a relieved Lu Li arrives at work joyfully, but her mood is cut short by a noticeably irritable Jiang Yicheng, who orders her to follow him.
He takes her to their old university campus, a place filled with cherished memories for Lu Li, as it's where she first developed feelings for him. Her nostalgia is cut short when Jiang Yicheng announces his intention to visit Professor Li, a move that would instantly expose her lies. Panicking, Lu Li feigns a severe stomachache to stall for time and secretly calls the professor, persuading him to pretend he's unavailable.
Jiang Yicheng seems to accept her excuse, but his suspicious glance suggests he sees through her ruse. Soon after, Gu Xiaoqi receives an invitation to cosplay at a major anime convention and invites Lu Li to join. The whole office programming team, including Gu Mo and three other male colleagues, decide to attend as well.
The four men amusingly dress as the swordsman Yang Guo, all with the wrong arm depicted as injured, while Gu Xiaoqi provides a Xiaolongnü costume for Lu Li. When the men spot Lu Li as Xiaolongnü, they excitedly chase her for photos, cornering her. Just as she is overwhelmed, Jiang Yicheng appears, grabs her, and rips off her veil. With her identity revealed, he confronts her, demanding to know her true motive for joining his company.
Lu Li sincerely explains her admiration for Enchant Technology's games, but an unmoved Jiang Yicheng, furious at her deception, fires her on the spot. Desperate, Lu Li begs for seven days to complete her work handover, a request he grudgingly grants. Later, discussing the incident with Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Mo, Lu Li is distraught. Gu Mo astutely points out the situation was likely a deliberate trap, as Enchant Technology was one of the convention's organizers.
The trio then resolves to devise a "seven-day plan" to change Jiang Yicheng's mind. Returning to the office in female attire, Lu Li is quickly accepted by her male colleagues, who value her skills and work ethic. They brainstorm ways to help her stay, suggesting everything from working harder to using tears. However, Jiang Yicheng's sister, Jiang Zitong, confronts Lu Li, accusing her of trying to get close to Chen Yiming and offering her money to leave.
Chen Yiming later tries to persuade Jiang Yicheng to let Lu Li stay, highlighting her exceptional talent, but Jiang Yicheng adamantly refuses, stating that while he might accept another female programmer, he cannot accept Lu Li because of her deceit. Meanwhile, Jiang Yicheng's mother, Cheng Yueru, calls Jiang Zitong to ask about the "man" with her son during his blind date. Jiang Zitong clarifies that it was a woman, Lu Li.
Delighted by the news, Cheng Yueru tracks Lu Li down and, to secure a meeting, fakes a sudden illness, successfully guilting Lu Li into agreeing to visit her home the next day. The following day, after some fashion advice from Gu Xiaoqi, Lu Li arrives at Jiang Yicheng's home with a portable speaker for his mother's square dancing. Cheng Yueru observes Lu Li, noting her unconventional hobbies of coding and computer repair.
During their time together, Lu Li impresses her by skillfully removing a splinter from her finger and later fixing a power outage by identifying and replacing a short-circuited bulb. Seeing how their skills complement each other, Cheng Yueru muses that they would make a good mother- and daughter-in-law pair. Moments later, she cries out after stepping on a sharp object. Without hesitation, Lu Li carries her to the hospital.
Jiang Yicheng rushes to the hospital only to find his mother and Lu Li chatting happily. He immediately misinterprets the scene, accusing Lu Li of manipulating his mother to save her job. Hurt by his harsh words, Lu Li leaves abruptly. Furious at her son, Cheng Yueru feigns dizziness and demands he apologize.
When her husband and Jiang Zitong arrive, Cheng Yueru secretly instructs her daughter to find Lu Li's home address, already plotting a meeting between their families to secure Lu Li as her ideal daughter-in-law.
Episode 7 Recap
Seven days had passed, and it became clear that Jiang Yicheng had no intention of changing his mind about Lu Li's employment. Colleagues began advising Lu Li to seek other opportunities. Chen Yiming even offered to write her a letter of recommendation. Distraught, Lu Li confessed to Chen Yiming that she didn't want to leave Enchant, fearing she might never see him and the others again, despite living in the same city.
Chen Yiming explained that Jiang Yicheng was stubborn and would only change his decision if someone was stronger than him, forcing his hand. This sparked an idea in Lu Li. She then boldly confronted Jiang Yicheng, challenging him to a competition, specifying that it would not involve computers. Their first challenge took place at a go-kart track. Lu Li, despite her small stature, demonstrated impressive driving skills. However, Jiang Yicheng resorted to deception, having a driver intercept her mid-race.
Though defeated in the first round, Lu Li accepted the loss but immediately proposed a best-of-three series. The next scene found them in a Taekwondo gym. After bowing, Lu Li discovered that Jiang Yicheng was a black belt. Fearing injury, she adopted a clever strategy. While feigning a warm-up, she discreetly signaled Gu Xiaoqi, who soon arrived with a live rooster. Jiang Yicheng, who had a strong aversion to all animals with beaks and feathers, was utterly terrified.
Faced with the bird, he conceded defeat, evening the score at one win each. Exasperated, Jiang Yicheng presented his final condition: Lu Li had to run the 15 kilometers back to the company building before nightfall to secure her position. It was almost 6 PM, with sunset an hour away, making the task seem impossible. Nevertheless, Lu Li, determined not to waste any time, began running without a break.
Although Jiang Yicheng had set a harsh challenge, he secretly followed her in his car. Seeing her drenched in sweat and pushing herself to the limit, he couldn't bear to watch and eventually pulled over, telling her to get in the car and return the Taekwondo uniform she was still wearing. Though he didn't explicitly say she could stay, his actions implied that he had relented, allowing her to remain at the company for the time being.
Meanwhile, Cheng Yueru arrived at the Lu family home with her daughter, Jiang Zitong. Zitong grumbled about carrying so many gifts, lamenting that she and Jiang Yicheng sometimes felt like adopted children. Huang Caixia answered the door, and both women were instantly surprised to see each other, revealing a history of rivalry. Cheng Yueru's prepared smile froze upon recognizing her old nemesis.
Inside, the tension was palpable as Huang Caixia and Cheng Yueru engaged in a verbal sparring match, trading barbs about their past and current lives. Cheng Yueru, suppressing her anger, insisted she would only state the purpose of her visit once Lu Li returned. After a period of strained silence, Lu Li finally opened the door. Seeing her mother and Cheng Yueru, along with Jiang Zitong, together, Lu Li sensed something significant was amiss.
The moment Lu Li entered, Cheng Yueru wasted no time, announcing that she had come to propose marriage. She then recounted her version of events, claiming that Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng had fallen for each other at a hotel, which was why Lu Li joined his company. Lu Li attempted to deny that her employment was solely for Jiang Yicheng. However, when Cheng Yueru pressed her on whether she truly liked Jiang Yicheng, Lu Li's stammering confirmed everything.
Huang Caixia, incensed by her daughter's implied confession and the audacious marriage proposal, furiously ordered Cheng Yueru and Jiang Zitong out of her house, accusing Lu Li of being deceitful about her true motivations for joining the company. Cheng Yueru, who understood Huang Caixia well and was familiar with Jiang Yicheng's character, was convinced that both Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li harbored feelings for each other.
The next day, she put her plan into motion, inviting the entire Lu family over using a goading tactic on Huang Caixia, and luring Jiang Yicheng home with a "pity trick" involving Jiang Zitong falsely claiming Cheng Yueru had an injury. Jiang Yicheng was instructed to wear his award-winning suit, and Lu Li was also told by her mother to dress up and get her makeup done.
When the Lu family arrived, the atmosphere was initially tense, with Huang Caixia particularly anxious about making a good impression. Cheng Yueru welcomed them warmly, presenting a table laden with home-cooked dishes. As the meal progressed, Cheng Yueru subtly highlighted Lu Li's admirable profession as a programmer and the coincidence of her being Jiang Yicheng's junior, suggesting they had many common interests.
Jiang Yicheng, attempting to inject some liveliness into the awkward dinner, tried to play music, but was quickly shut down. Jiang Zitong then seized the opportunity, encouraging him to apologize to the guests with a drink of fruit wine. Despite Jiang Yicheng's low tolerance for alcohol, he drank the fruit wine and quickly became intoxicated. Lu Li and Jiang Zitong helped the heavily drunken Jiang Yicheng to his room.
Jiang Zitong then saw Jiang Yicheng fall onto Lu Li on the bed and, satisfied, promptly left the room. Delirious from the alcohol, Jiang Yicheng, in a state of confusion, leaned in and kissed Lu Li. Hearing the commotion, the parents rushed upstairs and witnessed the scene. Lu Li's parents immediately pulled the two apart.
Cheng Yueru, delighted by the sight, wasted no time and seized the moment to propose that the families discuss the wedding arrangements for Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng. Back at home, Huang Caixia was consumed with indignation. She vented her frustration to her husband about Cheng Yueru's brazenness and her daughter's embarrassing conduct, threatening Lu Li with forced resignation. Her husband tried to calm her, suggesting that young couples sometimes act impulsively.
When Lu Li finally arrived home, her mother was still furious. Lu Li, however, declared that she had carefully considered everything and was willing to marry Jiang Yicheng. Her mother was astonished, questioning if Lu Li had a fever and reminding her that marriage was not a joke. Lu Li insisted she was serious.
She then revealed a profound secret: she had harbored a deep crush on Jiang Yicheng for many years, dating back to high school when they met through a game he had helped develop, unaware of her true identity. She explained that she pursued computer science and even disguised herself as a man to join his company all because of him, showing a photo of him presenting her with an award in college.
She stressed that with only one day left before her potential termination, this was her last chance to be close to him. If she didn't seize it, she might never have another opportunity. Her parents, deeply concerned, argued that love could not be bartered and that marriage was not a gamble to be taken lightly. They worried she might get hurt. Lu Li countered, stating that she feared regret more than failure.
She'd rather try and potentially fail than spend her life wondering "what if." She recounted her four years of diligent effort—earning scholarships and replicating Jiang Yicheng's academic achievements—all to gradually get closer to him. If she abandoned this now, all her previous hard work would be in vain. Her father, moved by her unwavering resolve, urged Huang Caixia to contact Cheng Yueru, effectively giving their consent.
Though hesitant, Huang Caixia ultimately agreed, acknowledging that her daughter was grown and capable of taking responsibility for her choices. Both parents then laid down conditions, asking Lu Li not to be overly headstrong, to always share her troubles with them, and assuring her they would deal with Jiang Yicheng if he ever dared to mistreat her.
As they agreed, Huang Caixia still worried whether Jiang Yicheng himself would agree, but her husband reassured her that sometimes in life, just like in a game, one could receive unexpected rewards even before reaching the final level.
Episode 8 Recap
Upon waking from a night of drinking, Jiang Yicheng is horrified to find his mother, Cheng Yueru, and sister, Jiang Zitong, already planning his wedding to Lu Li. Cheng Yueru cites his drunken intimacy with Lu Li in front of her parents as the reason, insisting he must take responsibility. Jiang Yicheng protests that he was set up, which Jiang Zitong confirms, admitting she spiked his drink at their mother's behest.
His father, Mr. Jiang, arrives and sides with his wife, prioritizing their family's reputation over Jiang Yicheng's objections. When Jiang Yicheng argues that Lu Li would never agree, Cheng Yueru shocks him by revealing that Lu Li has already accepted. Despite his adamant refusal, his parents remain firm, with Cheng Yueru privately telling her husband that this marriage is necessary to help Jiang Yicheng move on from a past emotional "shadow."
Cornered, Jiang Yicheng leaves for work, only to be confronted there by his father, who threatens to withdraw his initial investment in Jiang Yicheng's company, effectively bankrupting it if he doesn't go through with the marriage. Jiang Yicheng confronts Lu Li at the office, convinced she only agreed to the marriage to avoid being fired.
To his surprise, Lu Li presents a detailed "Compatibility Analysis Table" she created, analyzing factors like their age, profession, and horoscopes to argue that they are a good match. Jiang Yicheng scoffs at her rational approach, which he dubs "Koala logic," and reiterates that he will not fire her if she backs out of the wedding.
Lu Li calmly explains that a key factor for her is that she finds his mother easy to get along with, and pragmatically adds that finding a partner of his caliber is difficult. Feeling the pressure from his father's threat, Jiang Yicheng decides to test Lu Li's sincerity. Aware of her fear of heights, he takes her to a diving stadium and challenges her to jump from a ten-meter platform.
He turns away, expecting her to refuse, but is stunned when he hears the splash and sees her in the water. Moved by her courage, Jiang Yicheng relents and agrees to the marriage. They immediately set their terms: an optional, no-fault divorce after one year; the marriage must be kept secret, especially at work; and they will not interfere in each other's private lives, signing a prenup that their parents will not see.
Lu Li agrees to everything, her only condition being that she can continue to work at his company. They seal the deal with a reluctant pinky promise from Jiang Yicheng. After getting their marriage license, Jiang Yicheng's attempt to immediately return to work is thwarted by his parents, who insist he help Lu Li move into his house. During the drive, Jiang Yicheng grows jealous when Chen Yiming calls Lu Li, making a snide remark about his helpfulness.
Lu Li explains Chen Yiming was simply trying to find her a new job, believing she had been fired. Upon arrival, Jiang Yicheng lays down his first house rule: Lu Li must stay in the guest room and is forbidden from touching his things. As Lu Li packs, her best friend, Gu Xiaoqi, is bittersweet, happy that Lu Li is marrying her "male god" but sad to see her move out.
She advises Lu Li not to appear too eager in the relationship. That night, Lu Li makes instant noodles, the noise waking a grumpy Jiang Yicheng. Despite his complaints about her "elementary school" pajamas and the late hour, he ends up sharing the noodles with her, justifying it as preventing waste. For Lu Li, this quiet moment marks their sweet first meal as a married couple.
The next morning, Jiang Yicheng presents Lu Li with a formal marriage agreement, complete with a long list of cohabitation rules. The rules are extensive: no loud noises after 11 PM, no pets with sharp beaks, no strong-smelling food, and strict prohibitions on behavior during arguments. He will cover all expenses, while she will handle all chores. Furthermore, revealing clothing is banned in common areas, and bedrooms are "sacred and inviolable."
After adding a final rule to always close the bathroom door, Lu Li calmly asks if she can be in charge of cooking so they can eat together. He flatly refuses, citing his mother's claim that she can't cook. Unfazed, Lu Li signs the agreement. When he asks her to put his copy in his room, she playfully throws his own rule back at him about private territory being inviolable.
Amused, he praises her for passing his first "test" as Mrs. Jiang. Back at the office, Jiang Yicheng reminds Lu Li to maintain their distance. Her colleagues, relieved she wasn't "deleted," welcome her back and plan a celebratory dinner. Curious, Chen Yiming asks Lu Li how she changed Jiang Yicheng's mind, and she explains that their mothers are old high school friends. To thank him for his support, she offers to make him breakfast.
At lunchtime, Lu Li brings takeout to Jiang Yicheng's office. He resists, reminding her of their secrecy rule, but she cleverly suggests they can pretend she's giving a work report. She then proposes a game of rock-paper-scissors: if she wins, he has to eat with her from now on. She wins, to his astonishment. Confident, Lu Li claims that anything is possible with clear requirements and the right technology, just like programming.
As a test, Jiang Yicheng challenges her to make him see fireworks in the city, knowing it's illegal. Later that day, Lu Li calls him over to her desk and runs a program she wrote, filling her screen with a vibrant, simulated fireworks display. As he watches the "fireworks" she created just for him, his cold demeanor visibly softens.
Episode 9 Recap
Working late into the evening, Jiang Yicheng felt a pang of hunger. He stepped out of his office, hoping to find Lu Li, but the floor below was deserted. Seeing that the person he sought was nowhere in sight left him with a sense of disappointment. Meanwhile, Lu Li was at a group dinner with Chen Yiming and the programming team. Da Huang was distracted, constantly messaging someone.
He revealed he was dating a game streamer he had followed for a while and recently met in person. His colleagues playfully teased him, but Da Huang beamed with satisfaction, declaring that programmers are quite popular. When Jiang Yicheng saw a group photo from the dinner on social media, his jealousy flared, especially noticing Chen Yiming and Lu Li in close proximity. He immediately texted Lu Li, ordering her to bring him fried chicken.
Before he could follow up on her short reply, his mother called, insisting he pick up Lu Li. Despite his initial reluctance, Jiang Yicheng, swayed by his mother's urging, headed to the parking lot. There, he found Lu Li with Chen Yiming, who was persistently offering to drive her home. Jiang Yicheng seized the moment, taking Lu Li by the arm and stating they were leaving before pulling her away, leaving Chen Yiming puzzled by his unusually assertive behavior.
Upon their return, Lu Li offered to make Jiang Yicheng a drink. As she prepared an instant banana latte—a recipe she learned from Chen Yiming—its aroma drew him closer. However, the moment she mentioned Chen Yiming, Jiang Yicheng recoiled, feigning distaste. As Lu Li held out the cup, they accidentally bumped into each other, sending coffee splashing. Jiang Yicheng sprang onto the sofa while Lu Li crouched to clean the mess, creating an awkward and intimate atmosphere.
Flustered, Lu Li quickly excused herself. Elsewhere, Da Huang excitedly met his girlfriend, Xunxun. She brought him pumpkin porridge and revealed she had an upcoming live-streamed game battle she was worried about losing. She pleaded with him to play in her place. Da Huang hesitated, knowing that playing for someone else is a deceptive practice frowned upon in the gaming community. However, swayed by Xunxun’s persistence, he impulsively agreed.
The next morning, Jiang Yicheng's mother called, demanding he and Lu Li go to an address she sent. Upon arrival, they discovered she had arranged a wedding photoshoot. Resigned, Jiang Yicheng changed into a suit and was momentarily captivated by Lu Li in her wedding gown. He found the stiff, posed photos unbearable, so Lu Li suggested they move the shoot to his favorite game arcade. They changed into casual outfits and captured a series of unconventional photos.
His mother, pleased, insisted on more, but Lu Li managed to de-escalate the situation by explaining she didn't want to disappoint her after so much preparation, convincing Jiang Yicheng to cooperate. That evening, the task of selecting photos fell to Lu Li. To her surprise, Jiang Yicheng joined her. They bickered playfully, with him criticizing her smiles and her pointing out his stern expressions, and he insisted on supervising to ensure no unflattering photos of him were chosen.
Together, they completed the task. Early the following morning, Jiang Yicheng, a light sleeper, was awoken by Lu Li preparing breakfast. His initial irritation softened as he watched her. He gently reminded her to wear slippers when he noticed she was barefoot, to which she explained she was trying to be quiet. Touched by her sincerity, he decided to eat at the office instead.
At work, Da Huang was exhausted, having spent the night playing games with his girlfriend instead of preparing for an important demonstration for an investor. During the presentation for the investor, Mr. Ma, a critical error occurred in a feature Da Huang's team was responsible for. Mr. Ma expressed his disappointment in the team's competence and work attitude, abruptly ending the meeting. Furious, Jiang Yicheng fired Da Huang for his negligence, giving him three days to leave.
Pressured by her colleagues, Lu Li agreed to plead for Da Huang. She approached Jiang Yicheng with an allegory about Napoleon, arguing that a leader should show leniency for unintentional mistakes to maintain morale. She proposed giving Da Huang a chance to redeem himself. Jiang Yicheng vehemently rejected her plea, stating that business prioritizes results, not sentiment.
He coldly questioned her right to interfere, asking if she was acting as a "subordinate who joined by connections" or his "wife on the household register." He bluntly told her to "wake up," reminded her she was only "Mrs. Jiang in name," and ordered her out. Distraught, Lu Li sought refuge in the stairwell, where Chen Yiming found and comforted her. Meanwhile, in his office, Jiang Yicheng found a report Lu Li had left covered in encouraging sticky notes.
His guilt deepened when a colleague delivered a lunchbox from Lu Li with a note urging him not to skip meals. Upon learning Lu Li was with Chen Yiming, Jiang Yicheng went to find them. Seeing them smiling together, his jealousy surged. As Lu Li’s expression turned cold toward him, he impulsively embraced her in front of Chen Yiming and assertively called her "Mrs. Jiang."
Stunned, Chen Yiming later learned from Jiang Yicheng's sister, Jiang Zitong, that the couple had secretly registered their marriage two days prior—a fact Jiang Yicheng had forbidden her to reveal. Back home, Jiang Yicheng confronted Lu Li about her closeness with Chen Yiming. Lu Li explained her admiration was merely "worship," but he dismissed it.
When she invoked his rule to keep personal matters out of the office, he countered that as her "husband in name," he had the right to question her. Lu Li asserted her right not to answer, her first act of defiance. Frustrated, Jiang Yicheng stayed home, surrounded by a table full of food he had prepared, waiting for her to return.
Episode 10 Recap
After working all night to fix the demo, Da Huang received a call from his girlfriend Xuanxuan, who needed help in a live-streamed game after another woman publicly challenged her. Though exhausted, Da Huang caved to her pleas and agreed to go, asking Lu Li to notify him if their boss, Jiang Yicheng, arrived. While with Xuanxuan, Da Huang received a summons from Jiang Yicheng. Fearing he would be fired, Xuanxuan suggested she accompany him to help plead his case.
At the meeting, Da Huang admitted he was wrong to let his personal life interfere with work and that his overconfidence led to a basic error. Jiang Yicheng scoffed at Da Huang's attempt to use Xuanxuan as a "lobbyist" and at his claim that Jiang Yicheng had a "special relationship" with Lu Li. He reprimanded Da Huang for misusing his shrewdness, emphasizing that in game development, one person's avoidable mistake leads to the entire team's failure.
Jiang Yicheng then revealed he was only being harsh to ensure Da Huang learned his lesson, admitting he was worried Da Huang would "lose my face" if he left to work elsewhere. Relieved to keep his job, Da Huang promised to be punctual, while a captivated Xuanxuan snuck glances at Jiang Yicheng as they departed. Meanwhile, Lu Li presented Jiang Yicheng with the revised game demo she had worked on all night.
He dismissed her efforts as a superficial fix that didn't solve the core problem. To demonstrate his point, he took her to a hotel, instructing her to wait outside the lobby and improvise. He then summoned Da Huang, telling him to sit quietly next to Lu Li. Shortly after, Xuanxuan arrived for a meeting with Jiang Yicheng inside the lobby.
To expose her, Jiang Yicheng called Lu Li's phone, allowing the nearby Da Huang to overhear Xuanxuan dismiss him as a mere "gaming partner" she no longer needed now that she had Jiang Yicheng. Enraged, Da Huang stormed in to confront them. Realizing she'd been set up, Xuanxuan agreed to the breakup, accused Da Huang of scheming against her, and left in a huff.
Da Huang apologized to Jiang Yicheng, who advised him to be more careful in choosing a girlfriend. Afterward, Jiang Yicheng simply told Lu Li to go pay the bill. Lu Li now understood Jiang Yicheng’s strategic mind, realizing he was far from the unfeeling person she had perceived. Her respect for him deepened, and to apologize for her earlier misunderstanding, she offered to treat him to dinner. He feigned disinterest but ultimately agreed.
At dinner, Lu Li showered him with compliments, calling him the most perfect and talented person she knew. When she expressed a desire for iced milk tea, which the restaurant didn't serve, Jiang Yicheng excused himself and returned with a selection of milk teas from every nearby shop. Though touched, Lu Li was surprised to find he had also paid the bill, despite her insistence on treating him.
Later at the office, as he hired a quiet young woman named Li Man—his former college junior—for an assistant position, his thoughts seemed to drift elsewhere. Heartbroken, Da Huang began following Lu Li around at work, seeking consolation. Lu Li's best friend, Gu Xiaoqi, arrived and managed to cheer him up before sending him on his way so she and Lu Li could talk. Lu Li confided in Xiaoqi about Jiang Yicheng's recent, inexplicable anger.
Recalling how Jiang Yicheng had previously asked, "If you like him so much, why marry me?" , Xiaoqi concluded he was jealous. She advised Lu Li to be proactive, invite him to another dinner, and confess her feelings. Taking the advice, Lu Li sent Jiang Yicheng a dinner invitation. However, as Jiang Yicheng was leaving his apartment building that evening, he was confronted by Li Man.
Revealed to be his first love who had betrayed him, she claimed she had returned because she missed him and their memories. Jiang Yicheng reacted with cold cynicism, questioning if she had spent all the money she took and accusing her of planning a new scheme. He harshly dismissed her claims of remorse, stating he was not a god who could grant her forgiveness, and walked away. Visibly shaken, he called his friend Chen Yiming to vent.
When Chen Yiming asked if Li Man knew he was married, Jiang Yicheng abruptly remembered his dinner plans and realized he had left Lu Li waiting. Jiang Yicheng rushed to the restaurant, but it was already closed. A server confirmed that a Miss Lu had waited until closing time before leaving. He frantically called her, only to find her waiting on the curb outside, having packed up all the food she had pre-ordered.
She explained that since he never said he wasn't coming, she believed he would show up and didn't want him to make a wasted trip. Moved, they sat on the grass and ate the gourmet meal. Lu Li had intended to confess but lost her nerve. Instead, she brought up her parents' concern over their lack of a wedding and asked for a ring to ease their suspicions.
Unwilling to use a meaningful item like a ring as a prop, Jiang Yicheng playfully fashioned one for her from a soda can pull-tab. Understanding his implicit message, Lu Li chuckled at his "childish" gesture. In response, Jiang Yicheng suggested an even more "childish" adventure and took her to a deserted playground he jokingly claimed to have "chartered" for them.
On the swings, they made a bet: if she could touch him within three swings, he would grant her a wish. On her final attempt, Lu Li leaped from the swing and into his arms, winning the bet. Her wish was simple: for him to have dinner with her parents. Surprisingly tender, Jiang Yicheng agreed.
Lu Li noted how his demeanor had softened, but when she asked why he was late, he evaded the question, attributing his gentle mood to "making up for being late." As they headed home, his mind drifted to an abstract programming problem, pondering whether to terminate a process upon encountering an anomaly or attempt to restore it—a clear reflection of the complex choices he was facing in his own life.
Episode 11 Recap
Da Huang, unable to contain his curiosity, discreetly approached Lu Li to inquire about Gu Xiaoqi and successfully obtained her WeChat contact. As their colleagues playfully teased Da Huang, the representative from EG Gaming was announced to arrive. Prepared for the meeting, Jiang Yicheng's confidence faltered when the elevator doors opened to reveal Li Man, a former acquaintance. Without allowing her to speak, Jiang Yicheng abruptly rejected the collaboration. Li Man, however, was unfazed.
Believing his refusal stemmed from an inability to view her purely as a business partner, she confidently suggested he still had feelings for her and admitted she had returned with the intention of rekindling their old flame. Jiang Yicheng dismissed her claims, stating he simply refused to work with a "dishonest person." To prove his point, he pulled Lu Li into a passionate kiss in front of the entire office.
The public display confirmed their relationship, and a photo of the kiss quickly began circulating among the employees. The programming team surrounded Lu Li, eager for details. Lu Li explained that their parents had arranged their match, leading the team to affectionately call her the "future boss's wife." Their curiosity then turned to Li Man.
They discovered she was a senior manager at EG Gaming and, like Jiang Yicheng and Chen Yiming, a graduate of the University of Xinhai, fueling their suspicion that she was Jiang Yicheng's ex-girlfriend from college. Meanwhile, Jiang Zitong saw the photo and was stunned to see Li Man. She immediately confronted Li Man, warning her to stay away from her brother.
When Li Man tried to appeal to their past friendship, Zitong reminded her of the betrayal and sudden disappearance that had ended it. In her anger, Zitong accidentally revealed that Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li had only been together for a few weeks. Seizing on this information, Li Man's determination was renewed. Soon after, Li Man called Jiang Yicheng to invite him, Lu Li, and Chen Yiming to dinner.
Jiang Yicheng, realizing her true intention was to test the legitimacy of his relationship with Lu Li, accepted the invitation. From that moment, Lu Li's status within the company shifted. Despite her requests to keep things professional, colleagues began giving her special treatment, and while she was uncomfortable, she couldn't suppress a small flicker of joy.
At the restaurant, Li Man was overtly attentive to Jiang Yicheng, ordering a specific soup for him and offering to apply a patch for his old neck pain, but he subtly rebuffed her advances, stating Lu Li could massage him instead. When Li Man offered Jiang Yicheng fresh shrimp, Chen Yiming, surprised, asked Lu Li about her seafood allergy. To support Jiang Yicheng, Lu Li feigned that her allergy was a thing of the past and ate the shrimp.
Later, Li Man excused herself, and Jiang Yicheng, sensing she wanted to talk, followed. Away from the table, Li Man directly challenged him, pointing to his ignorance of Lu Li's allergy as proof that he didn't truly care for her. She belittled Lu Li as "just a girl" who couldn't support his career and insisted she was not the right person for him.
Jiang Yicheng retorted sharply, questioning if she—who had "betrayed our company, her boyfriend, and ran away with the funds"—was a better fit. He firmly declared their past was over. Despite his clear rejection, Li Man insisted he still had feelings for her and attempted to embrace him. Jiang Yicheng pushed her away, telling her to "behave." At that moment, Lu Li, feeling unwell from the shrimp, approached the restroom and witnessed what appeared to be an intimate embrace between them.
Distraught, Lu Li stepped outside for air, where Chen Yiming found her. Heartbroken, Lu Li confessed her fear that Jiang Yicheng and Li Man would reconcile. She then revealed the truth to Chen Yiming: her marriage was a one-year contract and she had been in love with Jiang Yicheng for five years, ever since playing his game, "Dream Maker." Chen Yiming, finally understanding her motivations, comforted her and urged her to trust Jiang Yicheng.
Just then, Jiang Yicheng walked out and saw Chen Yiming with his arm around a crying Lu Li. Seeing the situation, Chen Yiming spoke up for her, pointedly telling Jiang Yicheng that any woman would be upset after being "brought by her husband to meet his ex-girlfriend." Stunned, Li Man stared as Jiang Yicheng looked directly at her and confirmed, "She is my newlywed wife."
Hearing the title "Mrs. Jiang," which had once brought her joy, Lu Li now felt only a deep sense of disappointment. Back home, Lu Li confronted Jiang Yicheng about Li Man. He became defensive, deflecting by questioning her closeness with Chen Yiming. The argument escalated until he noticed red rashes on Lu Li's neck, finally realizing she had knowingly endured an allergic reaction for his sake.
Overcome with guilt, Jiang Yicheng later slipped out to a pharmacy to buy ointment for his "wife." He returned to find her asleep and carefully applied the medication to her neck. The next morning, Jiang Yicheng woke early to prepare a light breakfast for Lu Li, but she remained cold and distant, leaving for work without him. Her silent treatment left Jiang Yicheng conflicted; his pride kept him from apologizing. Musing to himself why "Koala Lu" was so angry, he decided he had to resolve the stalemate and called her to his office.
Episode 12 Recap
After their public kiss, the programming team swarms Lu Li, who is still reeling from her confrontation with Li Man. They bring snacks into the office, and while enjoying biscuits Lu Li made, the team, who jokingly calls their department a "monastery," warns her to keep a close eye on Jiang Yicheng. Meanwhile, Jiang Yicheng, who had messaged Lu Li to come to his office, grows frustrated by her lack of response.
He storms out and finds her chatting with her team, reprimanding them for eating in the office. After he leaves, Lu Li tells her colleagues that her relationship with Jiang Yicheng has developed a "bug." Lu Li remains insecure about the beautiful and accomplished Li Man. Noticing her distress, Gu Mo advises her to confront her rival directly, find their weaknesses, and eliminate them from the competition.
He states with conviction that he would never be in such a situation, as he is certain he is the best match for the person he loves, inspiring Lu Li with his confidence. In a business meeting, Mr. Liu, now representing Li Man’s company, informs Jiang Yicheng that his current games are too derivative and will not secure their investment. Instead, he challenges Jiang Yicheng to develop an entirely new game. Jiang Yicheng accepts immediately.
In a later call, Mr. Liu reports to Li Man that everything went according to her plan, which was designed to push Jiang Yicheng to realize his full potential. Afterwards, Li Man’s father visits her, but she dismisses him, prompting him to bring up an unresolved conflict from three years prior.
Later, Li Man tells her assistant, Amy, to book her a flight back, but Amy raises suspicions about Jiang Yicheng's sudden marriage, noting that the couple seems to be hiding their relationship. Intrigued, Li Man cancels her travel plans and decides to investigate. Elsewhere, Da Huang tries to ask Gu Xiaoqi out by approaching her supposed brother, Gu Mo, who is the head of the Arts Department.
Realizing Da Huang's intentions, Gu Mo turns hostile, belittling Da Huang's financial status and bringing up a past work incident. Gu Mo bluntly rejects Da Huang's pursuit, stating he is unsuitable for Xiaoqi and revealing they are not blood relatives, implying he is also a rival for her affection. A disheartened Da Huang then rejects a text from Xiaoqi agreeing to a movie date. The programmers become frustrated as their project is stalled by the Arts Department.
Da Huang remains silent, understanding the delay is personal. After a tense exchange where Brother Lei criticizes his work ethic, Gu Mo finally sends the completed files, but pointedly sends them to Lu Li instead of Da Huang, confirming Da Huang's suspicions. With his movie date canceled, Da Huang gives his two tickets to Lu Li and Brother Lei. During the movie, Brother Lei suffers severe palpitations and difficulty breathing.
Lu Li rushes him to the hospital, where tests reveal no physical ailments. Grateful, Brother Lei offers to drive her home. Meanwhile, Jiang Yicheng, angry that Lu Li has ignored him, blocks her on WeChat. His sister, Jiang Zitong, visits and warns him that his ambiguity with Li Man could push Lu Li to retaliate. As night falls, Jiang Yicheng's anger turns to worry. He unblocks Lu Li, but she doesn't contact him.
About to go look for her, he sees her getting out of Brother Lei's car. Overcome with jealousy, he rushes inside, pretends to watch TV, and then lashes out at a bewildered Lu Li when she finally arrives home. The next morning, Lu Li brings Jiang Yicheng a glass of milk to apologize. He berates her for constantly making mistakes, causing her to defiantly drink the milk herself, leaving an endearing milk mustache that instantly dispels his anger.
Just then, his mother, Cheng Yueru, calls to invite Lu Li to a gathering with her friends. Jiang Yicheng encourages her to go and promises to pick her up. At the gathering, Cheng Yueru proudly introduces Lu Li as her daughter-in-law. However, one of Jiang Yicheng's former blind dates mocks Lu Li's profession and plain appearance. Before Lu Li can respond, Jiang Yicheng arrives and defends her, stating that choosing Lu Li proves his aesthetic is excellent.
He takes her hand, declaring that only he is allowed to bully "his woman," a sentiment Lu Li playfully accepts, impressing the other guests with their affectionate bond. At work, Brother Lei experiences another panic attack. He confides in Lu Li that ever since the incident where Jiang Yicheng nearly fired Da Huang, he has been overwhelmed by anxiety and the fear of making mistakes, feeling like his "system is about to collapse."
Lu Li takes him back to the hospital, where a doctor suggests his problem is psychological ("software") rather than physical ("hardware"). Brother Lei's description of his isolated life as an "empty-nest youth" sparks an idea for Lu Li. In a presentation, Lu Li pitches a new game concept targeting the loneliness of "empty-nest youths" in China. She proposes a game that helps players form real-world connections, bridging the gap between online and offline social circles.
Impressed, Jiang Yicheng challenges her to develop a full proposal. Lu Li agrees, on the condition that if the project is approved, she will be the lead programmer. Though surprised by her ambition, Jiang Yicheng agrees to "wait and see." Later, Jiang Yicheng sees Brother Lei's car outside the office. Hiding, he watches as Brother Lei invites Lu Li to dinner to thank her for her help. Jiang Yicheng intervenes, causing a nervous Brother Lei to retreat.
When he confronts Lu Li, she explains that she only went to the movies with Brother Lei because Da Huang gave them the tickets, and she later took him to the hospital when he fell ill. Embarrassed by his baseless jealousy, Jiang Yicheng gruffly tells her to get in the car, and Lu Li hides a smile at his flustered demeanor.
Episode 13 Recap
Li Man deliberately met with Jiang Zitong. Despite Jiang Zitong's cold reception and a stern warning not to interfere in her brother's marriage, Li Man skillfully disarmed her by reminiscing about their past. She specifically mentioned an expensive dress Jiang Zitong had once given her, which she claimed to still cherish. Professing regret for her past actions, Li Man announced she had decided to give up on Jiang Yicheng, causing Jiang Zitong to lower her guard.
When Li Man pried for details about the marriage, Jiang Zitong revealed that while Lu Li's family was ordinary, Jiang Yicheng's mother, Cheng Yueru, adored her for her innocence. She then let slip that Jiang Yicheng's father would force him into the marriage by threatening to shut down his company. Realizing she had revealed too much, Jiang Zitong hastily left, leaving Li Man with valuable information.
To ensure her project's success, Lu Li buried herself in professional books, staying up late and worrying Jiang Yicheng and her team. Despite her efforts, she hit a creative wall. Her thoughts were interrupted by Jiang Yicheng loudly playing video games. Annoyed, she emerged to confront him, only for him to point out that inspiration wouldn't strike if she stayed cooped up. He suggested a game to relax.
After a round of a guessing game, which ended with Lu Li receiving a playful flick on the forehead as a forfeit, she felt her stress melt away. Jiang Yicheng jokingly called this the "Theory of Relativity"—time flies when you're having fun. This moment of relaxation sparked an idea for Lu Li: online game interactions are not enough; real-life, face-to-face contact is key to forming genuine friendships.
She envisioned an AR-based game where players could meet up to interact with their virtual pets, bridging the gap between online and offline socializing. Jiang Yicheng, intrigued by her idea, nicknamed her "Koala" for her thoughtful expression. Energized by her breakthrough, Lu Li worked through the night to write her proposal, presenting the completed plan to Jiang Yicheng the next morning, who promptly gave her a day off to rest.
Jiang Yicheng and his superior, Mr. Liu, were both highly impressed with Lu Li's proposal. Lu Li presented her game, "Xuan Zhong Ji," as a "circle-breaking" experience designed to help people in big cities forge new friendships through a blend of online gameplay and offline AR pet interactions, with mythical creatures inspired by the "Shan Hai Jing." Mr. Liu praised the innovative concept and revealed that the headquarters had reconsidered investing largely due to Li Man's strong recommendation.
The mention of Li Man's name unsettled Jiang Yicheng, who decided to confront her. Arriving at the EG parking lot, he witnessed a man forcibly taking money from Li Man's bag. Jiang Yicheng intervened. The man, terrified upon seeing Jiang Yicheng, muttered that the events of three years ago had nothing to do with him before fleeing. Li Man explained he was her abusive, gambling-addicted father.
When questioned by Jiang Yicheng, Li Man claimed she was only involved in the project to compensate for the past and promised to hand it over and disappear once the investment was finalized, offering a belated apology for what happened three years prior. Though Jiang Yicheng left, he later arranged for someone to investigate Li Man's father.
Having learned of Li Man's return from Jiang Zitong, an angered Cheng Yueru confronted Jiang Yicheng at his apartment, urging him not to let his ex-girlfriend ruin his marriage. Frustrated by his parents' interference, Jiang Yicheng retorted that they only used manipulative tactics, like threatening his company's funding or getting him drunk to force the marriage.
At that moment, Lu Li, who had just come downstairs feeling happy after discovering Jiang Yicheng had bought her ointment, overheard their entire conversation and froze in shock. After a tense silence, Lu Li calmly saw Cheng Yueru out. Alone with Jiang Yicheng, she told him they could terminate their marriage anytime if he was unhappy. Missing her vulnerability completely, Jiang Yicheng coldly accused her of lacking "contractual spirit" since their agreement was for one year.
Hurt and upset, Lu Li retreated to her room, leaving a bewildered Jiang Yicheng behind. The next day, a dejected Lu Li confided in Gu Xiaoqi about everything: Li Man's return, Jiang Yicheng's lingering feelings, and the coerced nature of their marriage. Gu Xiaoqi passionately reassured her that the fault lay with Jiang Yicheng's parents, not her. She insisted that since they were legally married, Li Man was now the "third party."
Comparing love to a marathon, Gu Xiaoqi encouraged Lu Li not to give up. She likened Jiang Yicheng to an "encrypted computer" and declared that Lu Li now held the chance to "key in the passcode," urging her to be proactive. Their conversation was interrupted by a call from Jiang Zitong, who asked Lu Li to meet her. Gu Xiaoqi advised Lu Li to build a good relationship with her sister-in-law to gain an ally.
Jiang Zitong picked up Lu Li and, after a three-hour drive, brought her to "Lover's Rocks," a popular spot for couples. This was part of a scheme Jiang Zitong had devised for Lu Li's upcoming birthday, a task she had accepted from her mother in exchange for a Chanel bag. She pushed a hesitant Lu Li to participate in an activity: being blindfolded to find her way from one "Lover's Rock" to another.
As Lu Li fumbled forward, Jiang Zitong signaled Chen Yiming, who had brought Jiang Yicheng to the same location. As if by fate, a blindfolded Lu Li stumbled directly into Jiang Yicheng's arms. The surrounding crowd erupted in cheers over their "destiny," as Jiang Zitong and Chen Yiming exchanged satisfied glances, their plan a success.
Episode 14 Recap
Following the matchmaking event, Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng find themselves alone together. Lu Li mentions she came with Jiang Zitong, and Jiang Yicheng, realizing his sister's intent to set them up, decides to embrace the situation and enjoy the day with Lu Li at the amusement park. At a caricature stall, Jiang Yicheng requests a drawing of a koala for Lu Li, while she presents one of a lion for him.
They both smile, recognizing the animals as symbols of each other. During their walk, Jiang Yicheng playfully asks Lu Li if she has removed him from her blacklist, and she confirms she did. He also teases her about her large appetite after she quickly finishes her water. Meanwhile, Jiang Zitong attempts to advance her "date" with Chen Yiming, asking if his heart is racing, which he denies.
When she shows him a caricature of them together, he is appalled by his own likeness, calling it ugly and the artist a conman. Jiang Zitong defends the drawing, treasuring it as their first portrait together. Later, after her high heels cause her pain, Chen Yiming shows his gentle side by kneeling to check her feet and then piggybacking her to a nearby shoe store, deepening Jiang Zitong's affection for him.
That evening, Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li are led to a honeymoon suite Jiang Zitong has booked, complete with a large bed covered in roses, making them both blush. Jiang Zitong interrupts them to remind a forgetful Jiang Yicheng that the next day is Lu Li's birthday, their first together, and urges him to celebrate it properly. Panicked, Jiang Yicheng rushes out to find a cake but all the shops are closed.
He resourcefully carves a watermelon into the shape of a cake and presents it to Lu Li in the courtyard, singing "Happy Birthday" by candlelight. Deeply moved, Lu Li calls it the most special birthday gift she's ever received. After she makes a wish, Jiang Yicheng promises he can make it come true, but playfully deflects when she seems about to confess her feelings, joking that he'd even give her his company if she wished for it.
Later, a tipsy Jiang Zitong enters Chen Yiming's room with wine, insisting they drink cross-cupped wine to celebrate the 3,285th day since they met. After he drinks, she tries to kiss him, but he gently pushes her away, reiterating that he only sees her as a younger sister. Distraught, Jiang Zitong removes her robe, standing naked before him to challenge his perception.
Averting his eyes, Chen Yiming tells her to learn self-love before leaving to sleep in her room, leaving her alone in his. Back in their suite, after Lu Li showers, she discovers sexy pyjamas left by Jiang Zitong and quickly changes back into her own clothes. Jiang Yicheng later finds the same pyjamas in the bathroom. The atmosphere grows awkward when a documentary about animal mating plays on TV, which Jiang Yicheng quickly turns off.
To ease the tension, Lu Li suggests they share the bed as they have on business trips. As they lie facing each other, she thanks him, telling him he's the first man besides her father to celebrate her birthday with her. When noise from an adjacent room disturbs them, Lu Li offers her earphones, and they share them, listening to music together until they fall asleep.
The next morning, Chen Yiming cancels his plan to leave for work upon learning it's Lu Li’s actual birthday. The four of them ride tandem bikes to a silver workshop. There, Chen Yiming makes a pair of ear studs engraved with "ZT" for Jiang Zitong. Lu Li crafts two keychains, giving one to Jiang Yicheng as a thank you. When Jiang Zitong dismissively asks for the keychain Lu Li is making, Lu Li refuses.
Jiang Yicheng attempts to make a ring for Lu Li but, not knowing her size, creates a simple loop which he humorously calls an "artistic circle." Lu Li suggests adding a chain to wear it as a necklace. On their way back, Lu Li's parents call to wish her a happy birthday. Jiang Yicheng takes the phone, promising they will both visit soon, delighting her parents.
Insisting on celebrating her official birthday properly despite the watermelon cake, he takes her to a cake shop. There, she decides they should make their own cake, complete with their portraits. Jiang Yicheng guides her hand as they decorate their sweet creation together.
Episode 15 Recap
As Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li are happily finishing the birthday cake they made together, he receives an urgent call from his investigator. The investigator reports that Li Man's father is a gambling addict, deep in debt, and lacks a fixed income. He also reveals that Chendong's President Xu Yuanzhi's secretary wired Li Man's father a large sum of money three years ago, a transaction that occurred immediately after Chendong stole Jiang Yicheng's company's source code.
Noticing Jiang Yicheng's somber expression, Lu Li kindly suggests he handle his emergency, assuring him she can take a cab home. Jiang Yicheng confronts Li Man's father, who initially denies knowing him and attempts to dismiss him. However, Jiang Yicheng presents monitoring footage and threatens him with jail time. Under pressure, Li Man's father confesses that he was the one who sold the game code. He clarifies that Li Man was completely unaware and had even refused Chendong's offers.
He claims he forcibly took the source code from her to sell it, driven by his overwhelming debts. He further asserts that Li Man was too engrossed in her relationship with Jiang Yicheng to care about his struggles, and he pleads for leniency, reminding Jiang Yicheng of his past with Li Man. Just as Jiang Yicheng grapples with this revelation, Li Man arrives to deliver a package to her father, inadvertently witnessing the tense conversation.
Jiang Yicheng immediately questions Li Man, asking why she didn't tell him the truth and instead took all the blame by moving away. Li Man explains that she couldn't stand by, given her father's crime and the company's loss, as the code represented everyone's hard work. Jiang Yicheng presses her, asking if he didn't deserve an explanation. Li Man explains that she wanted to tell him the truth but couldn't because she had been arrested.
She recounts a harrowing flashback: she desperately tried to stop her father from selling the hard disk, crying that it would "ruin Jiang Yicheng." In the ensuing struggle, she accidentally cut her father's arm with a knife, leading him to immediately call the police and accuse her of assault. While Li Man was detained for fifteen days, her father successfully sold the code.
Upon her release, she learned that Jiang Yicheng had been hospitalized after a car accident while searching for her. During his recovery, Jiang Yicheng’s mother, Cheng Yueru, had called Li Man a scheming woman from a poor upbringing, vowing never to accept her as a daughter-in-law. Overwhelmed and hurt by Cheng Yueru's words, Li Man confesses that her pride made her flee abroad, where she studied diligently to become a better person.
She believed she could move on but realized she couldn't, admitting that her "hatred" for Jiang Yicheng was what fueled her to brave through the company's darkest year. Jiang Yicheng clarifies that he distinguishes between Li Man and her father, stating he would have known right from wrong if he had known the full truth. He then questions why she didn't pursue legal action against her father.
Li Man explains that the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and she lacked solid evidence to win such a case, deeming it a waste of time. Jiang Yicheng adds that suing now would be meaningless, as Chendong had already developed games and gone public with the stolen code. Li Man observes that Jiang Yicheng has moved on in both his career and personal life, while she remains stuck in the past.
She asks him if they would have been married if the past events hadn't occurred. Jiang Yicheng responds coldly, "What happened has happened. There's no rewind button. Your hypothesis doesn't hold." Jiang Yicheng returns home late to find Lu Li asleep on the sofa. Earlier, Lu Li's parents were worried and annoyed by his absence, especially since it was the first dinner with their son-in-law since the marriage.
Lu Li had tried to smooth things over, suggesting they wait for him and offering snacks Jiang Yicheng had bought for them. While her mother praised diligent young men, her father questioned Jiang Yicheng's commitment, noting he never visited after the marriage and had even abandoned Lu Li on her birthday in the past. Lu Li passionately defended Jiang Yicheng, asserting he treats her very well.
She recounted their recent birthday celebration in Ancient Town where he made her a fruit cake, lit sparklers, and prepared a surprise before midnight, and how they baked a cake together that day. When Jiang Yicheng arrives, a sleepy Lu Li asks him about the serious phone call he received. Apologizing for missing dinner, Jiang Yicheng simply dismisses her concerns and tells her to rest, before heading to his room. Lu Li, though outwardly understanding, feels a pang of disappointment.
At a meeting, Lu Li presents the "Xuan Zhong Ji" project, detailing its seamless open world and integration of "Shan Hai Jing" cultural elements. During the presentation, Jiang Yicheng receives an urgent call notifying him that Li Man has been hospitalized and he is needed immediately. He abruptly leaves, causing his colleagues to speculate about the female caller.
Lu Li, hearing their whispers, calls Jiang Zitong to confirm that both she and Cheng Yueru are fine, leading her to deduce that the hospitalized friend must be Li Man. Later, Lu Li meets her friend Gu Xiaoqi, who inquires about Lu Li's relationship with Jiang Yicheng, noting his recent strange behavior and suspecting his ex-girlfriend might be involved. Lu Li admits she's unsure.
Gu Xiaoqi playfully suggests checking Jiang Yicheng's phone, but Lu Li is reluctant, fearing she might find something upsetting and jeopardize their recently mended relationship. After they part, Gu Xiaoqi confronts Huang Xun, scolding him for his distant and insincere replies. Huang Xun awkwardly reveals that Gu Mo instructed him to stay away from her, believing he isn't good enough for her family. Enraged, Gu Xiaoqi realizes Gu Mo has been meddling in her romantic life since childhood.
Declaring she'll settle scores with him, she storms off. Jiang Yicheng arrives at the hospital to find Li Man bruised and battered. She confesses that her father continues to demand money, resorting to violence if she refuses. Jiang Yicheng urges her to call the police and get her injuries triaged, but Li Man hesitates, explaining she cannot be so heartless towards her own father.
Jiang Yicheng warns her that her kindness only enables him and she'll be his "ATM for the rest of her life." Meanwhile, a devastated Huang Xun confesses to Lu Li that his romantic prospects were thwarted by Gu Mo, who feels he can't compete with Gu Mo's "higher level." Huang Xun laments his difficult love life, asking Lu Li if she would choose love or career. Lu Li replies that her "love and career are related to the same person."
Soon after, Chen Yiming discusses relationships with Lu Li, expressing his admiration for her simple and pure approach to love. Lu Li shares her belief in perseverance but acknowledges there's a limit, and if things don't work out, she would "take defeat gracefully." Just then, an furious Jiang Zitong storms into the office looking for Chen Yiming, who has just rushed out. Declaring all men are useless, she drags Lu Li out to vent.
After her medical examination, Li Man thanks Jiang Yicheng and asks if they can still be friends, explaining that he, Jiang Zitong, and Chen Yiming are very important to her. Afraid to return home, she invites him to dinner. As they dine at a mall, Jiang Zitong spots them. She quickly invents an excuse, claiming her feet hurt, to whisk Lu Li away before she can see the pair. They head to Jiang Yicheng's apartment.
While Jiang Zitong is in the bathroom, Lu Li frantically tidies the bedroom, hiding her belongings to conceal the contractual nature of their marriage. Jiang Zitong later comments on Lu Li's "elementary school" aesthetic and observes that only Jiang Yicheng's clothes are in the main wardrobe. Lu Li claims Jiang Yicheng is "quite territorial" and they use separate wardrobes. Despite Lu Li's attempts to get her to leave, Jiang Zitong insists on staying, stating she needs to talk to her brother.
Episode 16 Recap
Following up on the revelation about Li Man's past, Jiang Yicheng returned home late one evening and was immediately confronted by his sister. Lu Li, awakened by their argument, overheard Jiang Yicheng explain the truth: three years ago, it was Li Man's father who sold the company's code, and Li Man was detained for 15 days trying to stop him. After her release, she left out of guilt.
Hearing Jiang Yicheng confess his long-held misunderstanding and assure his sister he would never cheat, Lu Li was filled with complex emotions, her usual trust now shaken by a deep sense of unease. The next morning, Jiang Yicheng teased Lu Li about her dark circles from a poor night's sleep. Lu Li countered by pointing out that he had carried her to her room, a clear violation of their cohabitation agreement which designated the bedroom as her private space.
As a penalty, she demanded he treat her to dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant they had previously visited. Jiang Yicheng readily agreed, amused by her simple request. Their day started on a high note, with Lu Li distributing small orange "mascots" to her colleagues. However, their team leader, Zhang Zhiyuan, was in a desperate situation. His wife was diagnosed with mid-stage gastric cancer, requiring surgery and treatment estimated at 200,000 yuan.
After failing to borrow money from friends, a desperate Zhang Zhiyuan overheard one of them, Yu, mention making a profit from Bitcoin, seeing it as a potential last resort. Later, Gu Mo borrowed Lu Li's phone to call Gu Xiaoqi, but she hung up the moment she heard his voice. Lu Li correctly surmised that Gu Mo's overbearing control stemmed from his romantic feelings for Xiaoqi.
Gu Mo admitted as much, explaining he had vetted all her potential partners, including "Da Huang," because he felt none were good enough. He described his ideal partner for Xiaoqi—someone understanding, tolerant, caring, handsome, and financially stable—essentially describing himself. Lu Li gently warned him that his actions were only pushing Xiaoqi away. Afterwards, Lu Li told an amused Jiang Yicheng that the stoic "Robot Gu" was dealing with "relationship problems."
Li Man officially returned to the company as the EG representative to sign a collaboration contract with Jiang Yicheng. Seeing her enter his office left Lu Li feeling uneasy. After the signing, Chen Yiming expressed his concern to Jiang Yicheng about Li Man's presence affecting his relationship with Lu Li. Jiang Yicheng admitted to feeling guilty over the past misunderstanding but insisted that while he could be friends with Li Man, he had no romantic feelings for her.
Chen Yiming warned him about office gossip and advised him to clarify things with Lu Li, a suggestion Jiang Yicheng deflected by accusing Chen Yiming of being overly concerned. As Li Man was leaving, Lu Li intercepted her and invited her for coffee. During their tense conversation, Li Man hinted at her deep history with Jiang Yicheng. Lu Li cut her off, asserting her status as "Mrs. Jiang."
Li Man retorted that the title was meaningless and that she was the one Jiang Yicheng truly needed. She accused Lu Li of being the "third wheel" in their relationship and, to prove her point, brazenly called Jiang Yicheng, asking him to accompany her to confront her father that evening. Moments later, a text from Jiang Yicheng arrived on Lu Li's phone, canceling their dinner due to an emergency. The message shattered Lu Li's composure, leaving her devastated.
Separately, Gu Mo visited Gu Xiaoqi and found her eating instant spicy hot pot, which he deemed "junk food." His attempt to take it away sparked a comedic struggle, during which Xiaoqi accused him of trespassing and yelled for help, claiming a stranger was abducting her. Although a frustrated Gu Mo left, he returned with healthier instant meals. Xiaoqi, however, remained defiant, telling him not to expect forgiveness just because he brought her food.
That evening, Jiang Yicheng accompanied Li Man to confront her abusive father, using evidence of the man's past crimes to force him to accept a monthly alimony of 5,000 yuan and cease his harassment. After Jiang Yicheng left, eager to get back to Lu Li, Li Man's father reappeared, revealing their confrontation had been an elaborate act.
Li Man coldly handed her father a bank card with 100,000 yuan as a "performance fee" and warned him to stay out of her life. When Jiang Yicheng returned to the apartment with Lu Li's favorite meal, he found her already eating. Lu Li confronted him about canceling their date for Li Man. Jiang Yicheng explained he was helping with a family emergency and invoked their "no meddling" agreement.
Lu Li retorted by citing his own violation of their contract when he publicly announced their marriage. After a heated exchange, Jiang Yicheng promised to clear up any rumors at work. Lu Li then set a new rule: he was not to meet Li Man alone, and she must be present for any future meetings involving her. Jiang Yicheng immediately agreed.
The next morning, Jiang Yicheng drove Lu Li to work, stating there was no need to hide their relationship anymore. On the way, Li Man called to invite him to an industry summit, an invitation he brushed off as he was already planning to attend. He then asked Lu Li to accompany him, specifying she wear a blue formal dress to match his tie. Panicked, Lu Li called Gu Xiaoqi for help.
Rushing over from a comic convention, Xiaoqi helped her find a suitable blue dress in her messy wardrobe. As she got ready, Lu Li reflected on her situation, acknowledging that even when the answer seems clear, one still clings to the hope of being able to turn things around.
Episode 17 Recap
For an afternoon meeting, Jiang Yicheng personally applied makeup for Lu Li. She was surprised by his skill, which he attributed to having two women in his family, his mother and his sister Jiang Zitong, who never leave home without makeup. Jiang Yicheng even mentioned he used to style Jiang Zitong’s hair when she was a child. After a few touches, Lu Li wore a fresh and dignified look that perfectly complemented her outfit.
Lu Li, impressed, looked at Jiang Yicheng with admiration. Jiang Yicheng arrived at the summit with Lu Li, stating he wanted to show her around. Before the official start of the exchange, Li Man approached them, offering to introduce Jiang Yicheng to investors. While Li Man networked with Jiang Yicheng and various influential figures, Lu Li sat alone at a table. Xiao Liu, Mr. Li’s assistant, noticed her and struck up a conversation.
Xiao Liu initially mistook Lu Li for Jiang Yicheng’s secretary, but Lu Li corrected him, revealing she was a programmer. Xiao Liu playfully challenged her to prove it by sharing a secret to dealing with programmers—never point out their mistakes. Observing their cheerful conversation, a jealous Jiang Yicheng abruptly told Lu Li to go pay the bill. Mr. Li, noticing his assistant's apparent interest in Lu Li, began to suggest a match between them.
Jiang Yicheng’s expression darkened, and he formally introduced Lu Li to everyone as his wife, leaving Li Man looking stiff and embarrassed by his confident declaration. As Li Man stepped out of the room, she encountered Lu Li returning after paying the bill. Li Man adopted a condescending tone, asserting that she could provide Jiang Yicheng with valuable connections and business opportunities, while Lu Li was merely a dependent, a fake wife.
She subtly implied that Jiang Yicheng's efforts to secure investments were to escape his parents' control and avoid regrettable choices. Lu Li, however, remained unaffected by Li Man’s words. When the two women returned to the room, they found Jiang Yicheng inebriated and sprawled on the sofa. Li Man attempted to help him up, but Jiang Yicheng instinctively pushed her hand away.
Despite his drunken state, he accurately pulled Lu Li into his arms, repeatedly muttering that he wanted to go home. Lu Li, observing Li Man still holding onto Jiang Yicheng’s hand, subtly suggested that Li Man should go home as well. Witnessing Jiang Yicheng’s clear rejection, Li Man had no choice but to leave. Lu Li managed to get the heavy Jiang Yicheng back home.
However, he remained disoriented, repeatedly mistaking her for Li Man and insisting on going home, even though he was already there. Lu Li patiently clarified, "I am Lu Li. You're already home. This is your home." After her repeated assurances, Jiang Yicheng finally recognized her and, his face softening into a smile, he began to call out her name before pulling her close. The next morning, Lu Li lay in Jiang Yicheng’s arms.
She gently touched his face as he stirred, softly murmuring "LÃ." Lu Li froze, her heart sinking as she immediately assumed he had mistaken her for Li Man, whose name shares the same sound, believing that was the reason they had spent the night together. Overwhelmed by this thought, she lost all desire to remain beside him. She quietly collected her clothes, changed the bedsheets, and left his room.
Moments after the door closed, Jiang Yicheng, still half-asleep, mumbled again, "Don't want Li Man. I want to go home with Lu Li." Later that morning, Jiang Yicheng woke up disheveled and went to Lu Li’s room. He asked if she was the one who brought him home. Lu Li confirmed it, adding, "Who else could it be?" He recalled fragmented memories of Li Man insisting on taking him home, followed by blacking out.
He then tentatively asked if "something happened." Lu Li calmly stated that she had helped him onto his bed and then returned to her own room, claiming she had no idea what happened after. When he questioned why his bedsheets were changed, she simply explained that he had thrown up and she changed them to avoid being scolded. She firmly denied anything else had occurred.
Jiang Yicheng, still trying to piece things together, wondered aloud if it was all just a dream. Lu Li observed his seemingly oblivious smile, and her heart shattered, his earlier drunken murmurings crushing her spirit. Gu Mo and his godmother visited Gu Xiaoqi, who was still holding a grudge against him.
Gu Xiaoqi’s room was filled with objects Gu Mo had given her over the years—a music box bought with his first salary, a painting for her eighteenth birthday, and a stuffed rabbit from high school—signifying his deep presence in her life. Gu Mo earnestly sought her forgiveness, stating he had been part of every stage of her life and they were the closest people to each other.
However, Gu Xiaoqi still couldn't forgive his overbearing control, accusing him of interfering in her relationships and treating her like his "rag doll." She then told her mother not to let "outsiders" like Gu Mo into her room. Lu Li sought out her former professor and revealed she was working at Enchant Technology and had initially disguised herself as a man. Her professor smiled, expressing admiration for her determination.
Lu Li then cautiously inquired about Li Man, confirming she was also one of his students. He reminisced about how Jiang Yicheng and Li Man were a renowned couple during their university days, adding that Li Man’s departure had severely impacted Jiang Yicheng, even leading to a car accident. The professor then remarked on the striking resemblance between Lu Li and Li Man, noting their shared diligence, determination, and even the "LÃ" sound in their names.
Lu Li remained silent, accepting the bittersweet truth with a sip of her tea. Back at the company, Lu Li found Leader Zhang's programming team and Li Man’s subordinates fiercely arguing over a new server. As the dispute escalated, Lu Li proposed a coding competition to decide ownership. She suggested they each write an AI program for a space-shooter game, with the winner determined by the number of enemy planes shot down within a time limit.
Lu Li directly challenged Li Man. During the intense simulation, Jiang Yicheng, observing from the side, quickly saw through Lu Li's ingenious strategy: she deliberately lowered her aircraft’s health to appear weak, luring enemy planes closer for more kills, even if it meant sacrificing her own plane. Lu Li ultimately won the competition 39-35, and Li Man conceded defeat gracefully. Just as Lu Li’s team celebrated, Jiang Yicheng intervened, declaring that the server would go to Li Man's team.
He then announced that Lu Li would no longer be involved in the development of "Xuan Zhong Ji", but would instead represent the company in the Netfalse Game Design Competition. Her team was furious, reminding him of his earlier promise to make Lu Li the lead programmer. Confused, Lu Li requested to speak with him in his office. Li Man deliberately followed, sitting by to observe.
Inside, Jiang Yicheng informed Lu Li that the company’s sole demand for the competition was that she secure first place. Lu Li, recalling Li Man’s earlier words about Jiang Yicheng seeking investments to escape his parents' control, mistakenly believed he was merely using her as a tool to attract investors. Enraged by this perceived manipulation, Lu Li stormed out. Chen Yiming, who then entered, questioned Jiang Yicheng's decision.
Jiang Yicheng explained his hands were tied by EG, and by extension, Li Man. He revealed his deal with her: if Lu Li won the Netfalse competition, EG would allow her to return as lead programmer for "Xuan Zhong Ji". Chen Yiming advised him to communicate this to Lu Li, but Jiang Yicheng sighed, stating he couldn't while Li Man was present.
Feeling distressed, Lu Li went to find Gu Xiaoqi, who was venting her anger on a doll with Gu Mo’s picture on it. When Jiang Yicheng called, Lu Li immediately rejected the call and turned off her phone. During their hangout, Gu Xiaoqi noticed Lu Li’s forced smile and speculated if Jiang Yicheng and Li Man had rekindled their romance.
The innocent guess struck a nerve, and Lu Li grabbed a bottle of beer, drinking it down to hide her turmoil as Gu Xiaoqi mused that unlike machines, humans are swayed by emotions and cannot always remain rational.
Episode 18 Recap
Lu Li confided in Gu Xiaoqi that Jiang Yicheng had pressured her to participate in a game design competition, demanding she win first place to secure investments and break free from his parents' control and their marriage. Outraged, Gu Xiaoqi asked for Jiang Yicheng's number, vowing to verbally insult him and labeling him a scumbag. Lu Li, however, defended Jiang Yicheng, asserting he wasn't a scumbag but simply didn't like her.
She confessed to feeling a thorn in her throat every time she saw him with Li Man. Gu Xiaoqi observed the similarity between the "Li" in Lu Li's name and Li Man's, then advised Lu Li not to forsake the "entire forest" for one "crooked-neck tree." Yet, Lu Li insisted Jiang Yicheng was her "only tree," describing him as "tall, straight, and with dense leaves," the "best-looking tree there is."
She tearfully explained that her "flowers would bloom for him" whenever she saw him, before reciting a poignant poem about unrequited longing, ending with the imagery of "pieces of her withered heart" falling unnoticed. Meanwhile, Jiang Yicheng, alone in his residence, spent the entire night seething with anger. The following morning, Lu Li, worried about her lingering hangover, accepted honey water from Chen Yiming, who subtly inquired if she had returned home the previous night.
Upon hearing Lu Li was in Chen Yiming's office, Jiang Yicheng stormed in. Chen Yiming attempted to explain Jiang Yicheng's motivations for Lu Li joining the competition, hinting at Li Man's involvement but clarifying it wasn't what Lu Li imagined. However, Jiang Yicheng abruptly interrupted, launching into a furious tirade against Lu Li. He accused her of staying out all night, failing to answer his calls, fabricating clumsy lies, and exhibiting a defiant attitude.
He further condemned her for drinking before a workday and lacking any game concept, declaring that forcing her to withdraw from "Xuan Zhong Ji" was his "wisest decision." He asserted that her participation in the competition wasn't essential and that she was not "irreplaceable," a remark that deeply wounded Lu Li. With a determined glare, Lu Li vowed to win the competition and not disrupt his "plan," a word Jiang Yicheng pretended not to understand.
As Lu Li departed, Chen Yiming chastised Jiang for his harshness and low emotional intelligence, comparing him to a "husky trying to rip apart the house." Chen Yiming expressed his initial desire to help but now advised Jiang Yicheng to "pray for himself." Back at her desk, Lu Li, still seething, resolved to prove her indispensability. She began coding a game where a character resembling Jiang Yicheng could be repeatedly struck, with his health points visibly depleting.
Huang Xun approached, offering a mint candy and commenting on the boss-employee dynamic, which he likened to a couple who, despite their bond, inflict pain on each other—a "double damage" for Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng. He approved of her game as a "healing" method but suggested less "gory" ways for the boss to "die," such as from a falling light bulb, or being disfigured and then succumbing to the horror of his own reflection.
Huang Xun clarified that bosses who demand constant overtime without pay, deny holidays, withhold promotions, or verbally abuse employees are natural adversaries, though he quickly added he wasn't referring to Jiang Yicheng, who had, in fact, given him a raise. He concluded that if everyone vented their frustrations "cutely," the world would be much more peaceful. Lu Li, impressed, praised Huang Xun as a "genius."
Later, Lu Li overheard Old Ape speaking frantically on the phone, distraught about losing all his money after investing everything. Lu Li cautiously approached, offering assistance, but Old Ape, flustered, awkwardly dismissed her, claiming he was merely arguing with a friend and that she and her peers were "too young to help." Later, Lu Li discussed Old Ape's behavior with Huang Xun, wondering if his family was facing difficulties, but Huang Xun had no information.
This conversation prompted Lu Li to ask Huang Xun for more "ways to kill bosses." Huang Xun, boasting about the "special creative ideas" he had amassed from enduring Jiang Yicheng's "torment" over the years, enthusiastically listed various methods, including death by alcohol poisoning, a falling vase, sudden death from straining on the toilet, swallowing flies, the overwhelming pungency of Luosifen noodles, being clamped by an elevator, shock from cockroaches, or drowning.
Inspired by Huang Xun's morbid creativity, Lu Li decided to enact the "death by Luosifen noodle's pungency" method, reasoning that "company matters should be resolved at the company." She retrieved a prized packet of Luosifen from her refrigerator and enthusiastically cooked a bowl. The intense aroma soon filled the apartment, drawing Jiang Yicheng, who, pinching his nose in disgust, declared it smelled "like dung" and called it a "biochemical weapon."
Lu Li, however, found the smell "great" and the noodles delicious, advising him to chew slowly. When Jiang Yicheng, exasperated, called her a "dung beetle" and tried to escape, Lu Li playfully blocked his path, claiming she was "pushing a dung ball." The next day, Jiang Yicheng complained about Lu Li's strong perfume, to which she retorted that it was due to a "dung beetle" in her house.
Later that day, Lu Li presented her game, tentatively titled "A Hundred Ways to Kill A Boss", to the team. She explained it was a high-difficulty casual puzzle game with a simple objective: reduce the boss's health points to zero using various methods. She proudly displayed the boss character design, confirming it was drawn by Gu Mo, noting its exceptional quality and striking resemblance to Jiang Yicheng.
She described the character as appearing "cool and wealthy" but being "arrogant and mean" in reality, allowing players to choose bosses with different charm, acuity, and stamina. Chen Yiming praised the concept, believing its focus on boss-employee conflict would generate significant buzz. When asked for his opinion, Huang Xun initially flattered Jiang Yicheng as "mighty and talented," but when pressed for honest feedback with the promise of a reward, he voiced grievances about tight development cycles and constant overtime.
Jiang Yicheng, unfazed, "rewarded" him with an additional 50 hours of overtime after his current 100. Despite his outward demeanor, Jiang Yicheng later privately admitted to Lu Li that she had done a "great" job, calling her inspiration a case of "fair weather after the storm" and offering his assistance should she need it. Meanwhile, Gu Xiaoqi visited a pet store and was captivated by a handsome male cat that strongly resembled her cat, Momo.
Upon confirming it was a male, she exclaimed it was a "match made in heaven" for her female cat, which was in heat. Although the cat was being fostered and not for sale, Gu Xiaoqi pleaded with the staff, Sister Zhang, to ask its owner about arranging a breeding session for Momo. Gu Xiaoqi was thrilled when she later received the owner's WeChat, confirming Mr. Ye's interest in a "matchmaking session" for their cats after his business trip.
Later, Lu Li's parents unexpectedly arrived at her apartment. Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng hastily tried to make their bedroom appear as if they cohabitated, despite it being noticeably filled with men's items. Lu Li claimed her belongings were in the "bridal chamber" next door, where they, as newlyweds, ostensibly slept.
They guided her parents through a quick tour, showcasing the spacious but messy "bridal chamber" which only had one pillow—Lu Li quickly explained Jiang Yicheng "drools" in his sleep, necessitating its frequent washing. Her mother, however, was unimpressed by the lack of "newlywed atmosphere," noting it made them seem like "housemates," and pressed them about their wedding photos. Jiang Yicheng quickly interjected, promising they would take the photos after his current project.
Lu Li's mother then decided it was time for dinner and, as retaliation for Jiang Yicheng previously standing her up, declared she wanted to try her "son-in-law's cooking," insisting he prepare the meal. Despite Lu Li's efforts to assist him, she was pulled away by her mother, leaving Jiang Yicheng alone in the kitchen, bewildered by the unfamiliar cooking utensils.
Jiang Yicheng presented his dishes: stir-fried carrots with tomatoes, which he described as belonging to the "same color scheme," and a fish so charred it looked like carbon, though he insisted the inside was "edible." While Lu Li's parents politely attempted to compliment the carrots as "sweet and sour," they struggled to swallow the fish. Her mother then pointed out that the eggs in the egg drop soup hadn't been beaten.
Lu Li privately grumbled to her mother about letting Jiang Yicheng cook, to which her mother responded that men needed to be made to work hard, citing her husband as proof. Their last hope for edible food lay with the rice cooker, but Jiang Yicheng had forgotten to turn it on. Resigned, Lu Li's parents took over the cooking.
The next day, inspired by the previous evening's events, Lu Li completed new "boss-torturing" scenarios for her game, finishing a full day ahead of the deadline. As she put the finishing touches, Li Man instructed Program Group 1 to retrieve new servers. Huang Xun volunteered, also expressing his desire to be the first internal tester for Lu Li's game.
During this time, Old Ape's phone rang with an unfamiliar number, which he quickly dismissed as a "sales call," attracting the attention of his colleagues. Later that evening, after work, Old Ape was confronted in the underground parking garage by Brother Long and other debt collectors.
He desperately pleaded for a one-week extension, but Brother Long was unsympathetic, stating that tomorrow was the final deadline and threatening to go to Old Ape's company and inform his boss if the debt was not settled. Old Ape was subsequently beaten. The next morning, Lu Li discovered that the source code for "A Hundred Ways to Kill A Boss" had vanished from her computer and the server.
Distraught, she reported the catastrophic loss to Jiang Yicheng, who erupted in a furious tirade. He berated her for her irresponsibility, likening the situation to "running out of bullets before a battle" on the submission day. He pointed out that rewriting a 70% complete demo by the 8 PM deadline was impossible, and such an incomplete version would never secure first prize. He called her "careless" and expressed his profound disappointment, leaving Lu Li devastated and repeatedly apologizing.
Chen Yiming, observing Lu Li's despair, chastised Jiang Yicheng for being "too harsh," reminding him this incident would only justify EG's decision not to make her the lead programmer for "Xuan Zhong Ji". He noted that Jiang Yicheng "clearly felt sorry for her" but inexplicably struggled to speak kindly. Jiang Yicheng dismissed Lu Li as a "dumb koala" for losing the files, then prepared to leave for a meeting, entrusting company affairs to Chen Yiming.
Despite his usual disdain for leveraging personal connections, Jiang Yicheng sought help from his father, Mr. Jiang. His father, surprised by the unexpected visit, remarked that "the sun was rising from the west." Jiang Yicheng admitted he needed his father to use his friendship with Mr. An of Netfalse, the competition organizer, to extend the submission deadline until the next morning. He blamed the situation on his "dumb wife," Lu Li, losing the game demo.
After some playful negotiation where Jiang Yicheng used his mother as leverage, Mr. Jiang agreed to help on his daughter-in-law's behalf. As a condition, he demanded Jiang Yicheng act as his "ball boy" for his upcoming golf game, a request Jiang Yicheng reluctantly accepted. The episode concluded with a reflection that people often mistakenly believe others can understand them without direct communication.
Episode 19 Recap
To convince his father to delay the game submission deadline, Jiang Yicheng reluctantly served as his father's caddy. During their time together, Jiang Yicheng's father recounted his own "medals of love"—past injuries, like tendinitis from obsessively playing piano to win his wife's heart, and a fractured leg from climbing a tree to retrieve a shuttlecock for her.
Jiang Yicheng agreed that his father's efforts were "worth it," especially as his father emphasized that Jiang Yicheng's current actions were for his own wife. Upon returning to the company, a weary Jiang Yicheng informed Lu Li that the game submission deadline had been extended to 8 AM the following day. Seeing her relief brought him some comfort. He called her "Lu Koala" and urged her not to disappoint him.
The entire Programming Department rallied behind Lu Li, who pledged to rewrite all the code from memory. Li Man approached Jiang Yicheng, suggesting a "dinner meeting" to discuss the "Xuan Zhong Ji" project. Lu Li saw them walking downstairs together and paused, momentarily stunned, before refocusing on her work. However, Jiang Yicheng quickly concluded his discussion with Li Man, asserting that he would not compromise game quality for commercial profit.
He declined her dinner invitation, saying he needed to return to the office to supervise Lu Li and prevent further trouble. When Li Man pressed him to compare her abilities with Lu Li's, Jiang Yicheng stated that while Li Man excelled in management and Lu Li in technical skills, Lu Li surpassed her in dialectical thinking and problem-solving. That night, everyone in the Programming Department worked tirelessly.
Jiang Yicheng brought food for the team, prompting a colleague to joke that the boss was taking special care of his "lady boss." Later, Jiang Yicheng found Lu Li and her colleagues asleep at their desks. Unwilling to wake her, he quietly took over her keyboard, meticulously typing lines of code. Old Ape, passing by, noticed this and silently returned to his own seat. The team woke up the next morning to find the task progress significantly advanced.
Puzzled but grateful, Lu Li managed to complete the game and submit the file just before the 8 AM deadline. Jiang Yicheng then arrived and granted everyone a day off to rest. The team suggested Lu Li treat them to a celebratory meal. Old Ape, however, declined after receiving a troubling message. They decided to have hotpot at Lu Li’s home instead.
As they arrived, Da Huang commented on the spaciousness of her home, to which Lu Li clarified she was only borrowing it. Before they could start eating, Jiang Yicheng emerged from a room in his pajamas. Startled, Da Huang and Brother Lei quickly fled, ruining the party. Jiang Yicheng, who had worked until 4 AM helping her, sat down to eat, but Lu Li, still resentful about seeing him with Li Man, started an argument.
Frustrated by her seemingly inexplicable anger, Jiang Yicheng watched as she stormed off to her room. Lu Li then called her friend Gu Xiaoqi, venting her frustrations and vowing to find the person who deleted the demo to clear her name before leaving the company. Meanwhile, Gu Xiaoqi brought home a male cat named Tian Qi to be a companion for her cat, Momo.
Tian Qi’s owner was on an extended business trip, and Gu Xiaoqi had arranged to care for him. Determined to find evidence, Lu Li went to the monitoring room, using her status as "Mr. Jiang's girlfriend" to gain access. She learned the footage from the day of the incident was corrupted. She then questioned a cleaning lady, who recalled an unfamiliar but "pretty young lady" entering the programming office.
When Lu Li showed her a photo of Li Man, the cleaner confirmed it was her. Lu Li stormed into Jiang Yicheng's office and accused Li Man of deleting the demo. Li Man calmly explained she had only entered to turn off a light, pointed out the suspicious timing of the broken camera, and accused Lu Li of fabricating a story to cover her own mistake. Jiang Yicheng, finding Lu Li’s accusation baseless without proof, demanded she apologize.
Feeling betrayed, Lu Li grew even more upset. Li Man then told Jiang Yicheng that Lu Li was unfit for her role, but he defended Lu Li as "his person" whom he always protects, and apologized to Li Man on her behalf before chasing after the enraged Lu Li. Frustrated, Li Man threw a contract to the floor. Lu Li ignored Jiang Yicheng's attempts to reconcile.
Their stalemate was interrupted by news about Old Ape, who was fired for secretly selling in-game items to players for cash. He had been driven to it by loan sharks after taking on debt for his wife's medical bills, an offense that would get him blacklisted in the industry. The team pleaded with Lu Li to intercede on his behalf. Lu Li approached Jiang Yicheng, but Li Man burst in, demanding Old Ape be reported to the police.
Lu Li argued that as an investor, Li Man had no right to interfere in internal matters. Jiang Yicheng silenced them both, sternly telling Li Man the decision was his to make. The team decided to pool money for Old Ape's wife's medical bills. Short on cash, Lu Li borrowed 5,000 yuan from Jiang Zitong, bribing her with the news that Chen Yiming would return for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Jiang Zitong informed Jiang Yicheng, who then secretly gave Zitong another 10,000 yuan to pass on to Lu Li. The team tearfully saw Old Ape off, giving him the crowdfunded money. Seeing Lu Li was still giving him the cold shoulder, Jiang Yicheng faked cutting his hand. Lu Li rushed to his room in a panic to find gauze, only to look up and see his triumphant smirk, realizing she had been tricked.
Episode 20 Recap
Lu Li, frustrated by Jiang Yicheng's past actions, was surprised when he announced that the company had decided to reconcile with Old Ape, dropping the criminal charges. Her expression softened, and she genuinely thanked him, though she still expressed concern about Old Ape losing his job. Jiang Yicheng dismissed her worries, reminding her that Old Ape was a grown man and that it was Mid-Autumn Festival. He then insisted they go out to shop for clothes.
At the store, Jiang Yicheng encouraged Lu Li to pick out several outfits. A salesperson showcased an exclusive couple T-shirt, explaining that a heart pattern on the chest would turn red when the temperature reached 35 degrees Celsius. Lu Li was curious, and Jiang Yicheng, noting his own shirt had already turned red while hers remained black, playfully demonstrated how physical closeness would raise her body temperature.
As he embraced her tightly, the heart on Lu Li’s shirt indeed turned red, as did her face. Just then, Jiang Yicheng received a phone call and told Lu Li to go pay for the items. The call was from Li Man, who said a foreign investor, Andrew, was staying nearby and she wanted to introduce them. Jiang Yicheng suggested bringing Lu Li along, but Li Man emphasized Andrew's need for privacy for the business meeting.
Persuaded by the argument that Andrew's presence would prevent it from being a private meeting between him and Li Man, Jiang Yicheng agreed to meet her alone. He told Lu Li to go home to accompany his parents for Mid-Autumn Festival, promising to return before dinner. However, Lu Li noticed Jiang Yicheng had left his new clothes with her and instructed her taxi driver to follow his.
The car led her to a hotel, where she saw Li Man waiting for Jiang Yicheng. She tried to get Jiang Yicheng's room number from the front desk but was refused. When she asked for Li Man’s name, the hotel confirmed Li Man had a room there, and the small flicker of warmth Lu Li had felt for Jiang Yicheng vanished. Meanwhile, Jiang Zitong arrived at Chen Yiming’s home, surprising him with mooncakes she claimed to have baked herself.
Chen Yiming, noticing the brand's logo on the box, playfully teased her. Jiang Zitong, however, insisted her sincerity was what mattered and showed him a scalded hand, claiming she injured it while baking. Concerned, Chen Yiming brought a medical kit and carefully applied medicine to her hand, causing Jiang Zitong's affection for him to deepen. Later, as Li Man and Jiang Yicheng shared an elevator, Li Man noticed his couple T-shirt with the red heart.
Feeling a pang of jealousy, she discreetly put lipstick on her finger and smeared it on the back of Jiang Yicheng’s collar. After their meeting, Li Man suggested they have dinner, but Jiang Yicheng declined, explaining he needed to spend Mid-Autumn Festival with his family. Li Man wistfully remarked that she didn't have such a family, prompting Jiang Yicheng to offer that he and Lu Li would treat her to a meal another time.
Li Man seized on this, making him promise that he "owed" her a meal. That evening, Gu Mo and Gu Xiaoqi were celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with their family. Gu Xiaoqi was still upset with Gu Mo, who admitted he didn't know how to console her. Prodded by his mother, Gu Mo revealed he had someone he liked, describing her as innocent, beautiful, from a good family, and a graduate of an elite school, as Gu Xiaoqi listened intently.
Later, while out to buy mooncakes, Gu Xiaoqi admired a costly trinket in a shop. Gu Mo, seeing her hesitation, bought it without a word, but then clarified it was for his girlfriend. This immediately angered Gu Xiaoqi, who stormed off. When Jiang Yicheng returned home, Lu Li was not there and wasn't answering her phone. He found her standing expressionless at the door, ignoring him. At dinner, Lu Li caught a glimpse of the lipstick on Jiang Yicheng’s collar.
His mother, Cheng Yueru, noted their couple T-shirts, and Jiang Yicheng explained the color-changing technology. Cheng Yueru then hinted at her desire for grandchildren, making Lu Li visibly uncomfortable. Despite Lu Li's attempts to deflect, Jiang Yicheng readily agreed to Cheng Yueru's suggestion that they stay the night. The unspoken tension between them grew, and Lu Li chose to sleep in the closet. Noticing her distress, Jiang Yicheng pressed her to reveal what was bothering her.
Lu Li finally asked if he had been with Li Man that afternoon. When Jiang Yicheng confirmed it, Lu Li, frustrated, cut him off, stating she didn’t want to hear any explanations and referencing their agreement not to interfere in each other's private lives. Annoyed by her refusal to listen, Jiang Yicheng fell silent, allowing the rift between them to widen. The next morning, Lu Li felt nauseous and worried that Cheng Yueru's joke about grandchildren might be coming true.
At the hospital, a doctor confirmed her fear: she was six weeks pregnant. Uncertain how Jiang Yicheng would react, Lu Li felt anxious and asked the doctor to keep her pregnancy a secret. Coincidentally, Li Man’s father, Li Houcai, was at the hospital and spotted Lu Li. After she left, he approached the doctor, pretending to be her father, and learned about her pregnancy.
Li Houcai immediately called Li Man, urging her to seize this opportunity to win Jiang Yicheng back and promising to handle any obstacles himself. Fueled by her father's words, Li Man called Jiang Yicheng, fabricating a story about a severe burn injury and desperately asking for his help. Out of concern, Jiang Yicheng rushed to her aid. Meanwhile, Li Houcai began tailing Lu Li. Fortunately, Lu Li encountered Old Ape, causing Li Houcai to hide.
Old Ape asked Lu Li to return crowdfunded money to their colleagues, revealing that Jiang Yicheng had already lent him a substantial amount for his wife's surgery. He also disclosed that Jiang Yicheng had secretly written code for Lu Li's presentation while she was asleep, praising his hidden acts of kindness and sincere care for her. These revelations made Lu Li begin to doubt her harsh judgment of Jiang Yicheng.
As Lu Li walked on, she realized she had missed several calls from Jiang Yicheng but couldn't reach him when she called back. Growing uneasy, she noticed a black-clad figure following her. After confirming she was being tailed, she urgently called Jiang Yicheng for help. At that moment, Jiang Yicheng was at the hospital with Li Man and had left his phone with her while he went to get medicine. Li Man answered Lu Li’s call.
Hearing her rival's voice, Lu Li lost her focus on the street and fell hard as a car swerved to avoid hitting her. Waves of abdominal pain and heartache surged through her. As Lu Li was wheeled through the hospital, she caught sight of Jiang Yicheng in the corridor, looking deeply concerned for Li Man's scalded arm. This sight crushed the last vestiges of hope Lu Li had for their relationship.
When a doctor approached, Lu Li simply asked for her pregnancy to remain a secret. Chen Yiming, who had called Lu Li around the time of the accident, was notified by the hospital and rushed to her side. When he asked what happened, Lu Li vaguely replied that she had encountered a thug.
With Jiang Yicheng nowhere to be seen, an agitated Chen Yiming offered to call him, but Lu Li stopped him, suggesting they go to the police station to make a report instead. Out of a sense of friendship, Jiang Yicheng took Li Man home. She warmly invited him to stay for dinner, but he politely declined. Desperate, Li Man grasped his hand, tearfully recalling their past and expressing her desire to reconcile.
Jiang Yicheng, however, coldly refused, telling her she was stuck in the past and that if she continued to dwell there, they couldn't even remain friends. In the parking lot, Jiang Yicheng finally saw a call from Lu Li's phone. He answered with some impatience, only to hear Chen Yiming’s voice on the other end, informing him that Lu Li had been in an accident.
Episode 21 Recap
When Jiang Yicheng returned home, he found a furious Chen Yiming waiting for him. Chen Yiming confronted him for neglecting Lu Li, who had been in a car accident, while he was preoccupied with Li Man. Jiang Yicheng was stunned to learn that Lu Li had confided in Chen Yiming about the accident but not him. Chen Yiming then dropped a bombshell, revealing he was aware of their contract marriage.
He warned Jiang Yicheng to define his stance, as his entanglement with Li Man was putting Lu Li in a difficult position. Jiang Yicheng defensively explained he only took Li Man to the hospital out of compassion because she was burned, but Chen Yiming retorted that the reason didn't matter; Lu Li should not be a sacrifice in their complicated relationship. Stressing that he was also Lu Li's friend, he urged Jiang Yicheng to check on her.
Guilt-ridden, Jiang Yicheng quietly went to Lu Li's room and found her asleep. The next morning, Jiang Yicheng's attempt to reconcile by offering Lu Li nutritional supplements was met with polite refusal. She reminded him of their agreement not to interfere in each other's private lives and left, declining his offer of a ride. Lu Li went to Gu Xiaoqi's apartment, where they held a mock wedding for Gu Xiaoqi's cats.
Afterward, Lu Li dropped a shocking revelation: she was pregnant. She explained it happened on a night Jiang Yicheng was drunk, had no memory of it, and had mistaken her for Li Man. Outraged, Gu Xiaoqi called him a "scumbag," but Lu Li admitted it was consensual. Lu Li confessed her past foolishness, realizing she would always forgive Jiang Yicheng for the smallest kindness, believing he cared. But seeing him with Li Man at the hospital shattered her delusion.
Gu Xiaoqi comforted her, saying she didn't lose a bet but "bet on the wrong person." Lu Li resolved that giving up now was the best way to cut her losses, and Gu Xiaoqi pledged her full support, even offering to help raise the child. Later, when Jiang Yicheng called, Gu Xiaoqi intercepted the phone, telling him to leave them alone and stop harassing them.
Back at the office, Lu Li distributed thoughtful gifts like stress-relief toys to the programming team, who affectionately called her "lady boss." They playfully flaunted their gifts in front of Jiang Yicheng, who had received none. As he turned and saw another gift box in Lu Li's hands, he instinctively reached for it, but she pulled her hand away. She then formally requested a leave of absence for personal reasons, which he approved.
Shortly after, Chen Yiming returned with the news that their game, "A Hundred Ways to Kill A Boss," had won first prize. Jiang Yicheng instructed him to keep it a secret, wanting to tell Lu Li himself to cheer her up, dismissing Chen Yiming’s concerns about her strange behavior. Upon returning home, Jiang Yicheng found the gift box from earlier and a special dinner.
Lu Li had prepared his favorite sauteed prawns, a dish she had learned when they first married to please him, despite her severe seafood allergy. She now saw this as foolishness, reflecting that their fundamental incompatibility—his love for seafood and her allergy—could never be changed by her efforts alone. Oblivious to her meaning, Jiang Yicheng excitedly announced that their game had won and she was reinstated as Lead Programmer.
Lu Li remained unnervingly calm, merely glad the team's efforts paid off. When he questioned her lack of excitement, she stated that her old self would have been happy, but now it didn't matter. She was resigning. Stunned, Jiang Yicheng reminded her she married him to keep her job, but Lu Li calmly replied, "Let's get a divorce." As Jiang Yicheng stood frozen, she picked up the gift box and walked out.
He snapped out of it and chased her downstairs, only to see her get into a black car and drive away. Lu Li met with Chen Yiming, giving him the gift to thank him for his support since she joined the company. Chen Yiming confessed his initial care was vanity—an idol looking after a fan—but he grew to admire her intelligence, passion, and especially her persistence.
However, he noted that in love, "a one-sided commitment is just a recipe for disaster." Lu Li agreed it was a hard-learned lesson. When he offered to help mediate her issues with Jiang Yicheng, she deflected, saying Jiang Yicheng was simply "immature" in matters of love. When Lu Li returned home, Jiang Yicheng, having seen the gift was gone, furiously accused her of divorcing him for Chen Yiming.
He questioned her sincerity, bringing up how she had once used a compatibility chart to justify marrying him. To protect Chen Yiming from getting involved, Lu Li denied it was about him and insisted the divorce was for her own reasons. Jiang Yicheng refused to divorce, citing their one-year contract, but Lu Li was resolute, setting a time to meet at the Civil Affairs Bureau the next day and telling him not to waste her time.
Jiang Yicheng initially dismissed her words as an empty threat, but he was jolted into reality when the administration department called to confirm Lu Li had completed her resignation procedures. He rushed to the Civil Affairs Bureau, but tragically, they missed each other. Meanwhile, news of the divorce and resignation spread through the company, with the programmers speculating that Li Man, the "bug" Lu Li had warned about, had finally caused a "system crash."
Unable to reach Lu Li, Jiang Yicheng returned to his office to find the divorce agreement and resignation letter on his desk. A call to Lu Li's mother confirmed she was unaware of the situation. He then messaged Gu Xiaoqi, who read the message, cursed him, and ignored it. Gu Xiaoqi was with a nauseous Lu Li, who calmly stated she wouldn't tell Jiang Yicheng about the pregnancy.
She knew his sense of responsibility would trap him in a loveless marriage, and she didn't want that. Affirming her decision to keep the baby, she revealed she had already applied for jobs in Chongqing and booked a flight for two days later. Alone in his office, a memory of driving Lu Li to Gu Xiaoqi's place made Jiang Yicheng realize where she might be.
As he raced out, his sister Jiang Zitong arrived, saw the divorce papers on his desk, and panicked. She found Chen Yiming and frantically told him the news, speculating Jiang Yicheng had cheated. The gossip spread through the company, delighting Li Man, who believed everything was finally returning to its "proper place." Jiang Yicheng arrived at Gu Xiaoqi's apartment moments after Lu Li had left.
Gu Xiaoqi furiously called him a "scumbag," regretting she ever believed Lu Li's praise of him. She threatened to post an exposé video online if he didn't leave. Jiang Yicheng demanded to know where Lu Li was, declaring, "She is my person, so her business is my business," but Gu Xiaoqi physically pushed him out, threatening him with a "live chicken" if he returned. Sitting in his desolate home, Jiang Yicheng was haunted by memories of Lu Li.
Simultaneously, Lu Li sat in a taxi, reflecting that love requires two people to be in sync. Still holding on to a lingering attachment, she asked the driver to take her to Jiang Yicheng's home, intending to take one last photo. As she stood outside, she recalled making him their first meal as a married couple. Raising her phone to capture the memory, her view was suddenly blocked by Li Man's unexpected appearance at the doorway.
Episode 22 Recap
Upon hearing the doorbell, Jiang Yicheng eagerly rose, hoping Lu Li had returned, but was disappointed to find Li Man at his door. Li Man, feigning concern for his injury, revealed she had heard from Jiang Zitong that he and Lu Li were divorcing, claiming the news had spread throughout the company with people blaming her. Jiang Yicheng coldly dismissed this, stating the divorce had nothing to do with her.
When Li Man offered to clarify any misunderstandings with Lu Li, Jiang Yicheng admitted he didn't even know why Lu Li wanted a divorce. Li Man then suggested that young women like Lu Li were unpredictable and had likely grown tired of the relationship. She provoked him by claiming she knew he was "forced to marry" Lu Li and that the divorce was a way to "mitigate losses."
This enraged Jiang Yicheng, who vehemently denied being forced into the marriage, causing a startled Li Man to shrink back. Citing his unhealed wound and the recent stress, he asked her to leave. As Li Man departed, she privately vowed that Jiang Yicheng would one day return to her. Unseen, Lu Li had been watching from downstairs. She saw Li Man enter the building and, moments later, the lights in Jiang Yicheng's apartment go out.
This new misunderstanding deepened her heartbreak, and she numbly got into a taxi to go home. Lu Li's late-night arrival stunned her parents. When she announced her resignation and joked about them needing heart pills for the next piece of news, they grew worried. She explained that the woman Jiang Yicheng truly loved had returned, so she chose to "back out" of the marriage. Her parents were shocked to learn she had already signed the divorce agreement.
Her father, suspecting Jiang Yicheng had coerced her, threatened to confront him, but Lu Li insisted it was her own decision. She told her parents she didn't regret the marriage, as it taught her that "unilateral giving and principle-less concession can never win affection." Acknowledging that she had forced the marriage initially, she accepted that things were simply returning to their original state.
Lu Li then revealed her plan to move to Chongqing, having already sent out resumes and secured an interview. Though her parents were deeply concerned about her moving so far away, her mother ultimately respected her choice after Lu Li confirmed she had no regrets, emphasizing that her happiness was what mattered most. After a tearful farewell where Lu Li expressed her gratitude, her parents rushed her to the airport.
Later, Jiang Yicheng sought answers from Chen Yiming, who questioned his emotional awareness by pointing out he didn't know Lu Li's favorite foods, hobbies, or even her home address. Jiang Yicheng insisted their agreement-based marriage wouldn't end over such trivial matters. Breaking a promise to Lu Li, Chen Yiming told Jiang Yicheng to log into "Dream Maker," the first game he ever developed, to find the answers.
As Jiang Yicheng logged in, he recalled a time he was suffering from a creative block, and Chen Yiming had suggested he play the now-popular "Dream Maker" to relax. In the game, he met a high school student with the username 'Koala'—who was Lu Li—and she asked him to guide her. She expressed deep admiration for the game's developer, explaining how it provided an immersive escape from her real-world troubles.
Their conversation had given him a wealth of inspiration at the time. Back in the present, his game account was flooded with years of unread messages from Lu Li. They chronicled her entire journey: her admiration for him, her decision to study Computer Science at his alma mater, Xinhai University, to become his junior; her joy at getting in and learning his name; a painful memory of him ignoring her on campus; and her determination to join his company.
The more recent messages documented her joining his company and finally marrying him. The penultimate message, sent recently, read: "She's back. It turns out it's not that you won't fall for anyone. It's just that you won't fall for me." The last was a simple, heartbreaking, "Jiang Yicheng, goodbye." Overcome with emotion, Jiang Yicheng finally understood the depth of her long-held feelings and broke down in tears.
Meanwhile, as Jiang Zitong prepared to go to the company, her mother, Cheng Yueru, insisted on joining to visit her husband and Lu Li. Panicked that Lu Li's resignation would be exposed, Jiang Zitong feigned a broken-down car and then a sudden, severe stomachache. Cheng Yueru saw through the act. When she tried calling Lu Li and found her phone was off, her suspicions were confirmed.
She stormed past Jiang Zitong and confronted Jiang Yicheng at his home, demanding to know what happened. Blaming Li Man and reminding her son of her warnings, she acknowledged his feelings for Lu Li and offered to help find her. A defeated Jiang Yicheng could only admit, "She left Xinhai. I don't know where she went." As Jiang Yicheng agonized over his marriage, Chen Yiming suggested the car accident was a catalyst.
He revealed Lu Li hadn't been in a simple accident; she was being chased by a masked man with a distinctive scar on his right hand. The detail triggered a suspicion in Jiang Yicheng. He arranged to meet Li Man, secretly starting a recording on his phone. During their meal, he used her unlocked phone to text her father to come to their location.
Shortly after Jiang Yicheng excused himself to "pay the bill," Li Man's father arrived and, thinking his daughter had summoned him about the accident, began confessing that he had only meant to "scare" Lu Li and that she had crashed the car herself. A bewildered Li Man tried to silence him, but Jiang Yicheng reappeared, revealing he had sent the message.
Li Man's father tried to take the full blame, admitting he had followed the couple because Li Man "couldn't let you go." Jiang Yicheng exposed their entire scheme: the father-daughter estrangement was an act to make him feel guilty. Declaring their relationship had ended three years ago, he rejected Li Man's desperate pleas to win him back and stated his intent to call the police.
Her plan in ruins, Li Man lashed out at her father, blaming him for her ruin. Pained by her words, he clutched his chest as she stormed off. Elsewhere, in Chongqing, a real estate agent showed Lu Li a new apartment. Without hesitation, she decided to move in immediately. Back in Xinhai, consumed by regret, Jiang Yicheng resolved to find Lu Li and win her back, reflecting that, like planting a tree, the best time to start over is now.
Episode 23 Recap
Following Lu Li's abrupt departure, a stunned Jiang Yicheng returned home to face his father's severe criticism, which only intensified at the sight of Cheng Yueru's tears. Lost in thought about Lu Li, Jiang Yicheng barely registered their words. He promised his parents he would win her back, confessing that he genuinely liked her. He acknowledged that she had never given up on him, and now it was his turn to fight for their relationship.
Moved by his resolve, Cheng Yueru offered her full support. The next day, she accompanied Jiang Yicheng to Lu Li's home to apologize. However, Lu Li's father angrily confronted them, stating that Jiang Yicheng was the sole person responsible for ruining the marriage, and sent them away. Undeterred, Jiang Yicheng decided to wait outside, determined to learn Lu Li's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Lu Li started a new life in Chongqing.
While eating noodles, she met Lu Jingwen, who thoughtfully advised her to order a milder dish due to her non-local accent and bought her a bottle of water for the spiciness. They later met again in their apartment building's elevator, where Lu Jingwen noticed the "Code Complete" book she was carrying and deduced she was a computer science major.
Though Lu Li was initially wary, he found her by knocking on every door on her floor, revealing he lived just above her. He then asked for her help with his broken laptop, claiming an important document was on it. Although she pointed out that a computer science major isn't necessarily a repair technician, she skillfully fixed it. While she worked, Lu Jingwen saw her resume and realized she was his junior from Xinhai University.
He immediately offered her a well-paid network administrator position with flexible hours at his company, Wenjing Film. Having just been rejected for a job after disclosing her pregnancy, and remembering Gu Xiaoqi's advice to hide it, Lu Li accepted the offer without mentioning her condition. Jiang Yicheng spent a day searching for Lu Li to no avail. Back home, he noticed a hair tie that Jiang Zitong had, which he vaguely recalled from his night with Lu Li.
Jiang Zitong casually mentioned that she and Lu Li had bought matching ones. This revelation made Jiang Yicheng realize their intimate night was real, not a dream. Overwhelmed, he left to clear his head and tried calling Lu Li, but her phone was off. On her first day at work, Lu Li wore her usual simple attire. Lu Jingwen remarked that his film company valued a more creative and stylish appearance.
Lu Li asserted that she prioritized being clean and comfortable over others' opinions but would compromise for special occasions. Impressed by her individuality, Lu Jingwen respected her choice. At the same time, Gu Xiaoqi went to get Lu Li's resignation certificate but was denied entry. She called Gu Mo, who arrived and got her in.
Gu Mo then staged a scene with Yezi from the Administration Department, pretending Yezi was his girlfriend by having her wear a hairpin he'd bought, all to provoke Gu Xiaoqi. Annoyed, Gu Xiaoqi left abruptly after getting the certificate, while Yezi confirmed to Gu Mo she knew it was an act. Elsewhere, Li Man was at the hospital when she saw her father, who was imprisoned for his role in Lu Li's case, being escorted by police for a check-up.
She harshly rebuked him for his "fake concern." After he was taken away, Li Man noticed he had dropped his medical records. Picking them up, she was shocked to discover he had stomach cancer. As Lu Li settled into her new routine, Jiang Yicheng's search continued. Jiang Zitong told him their mother was arranging blind dates for him, but he dismissed the idea, his focus solely on Lu Li.
Chen Yiming suggested a business trip, which gave Jiang Yicheng an idea: he would visit Lu Jingwen's company in Chongqing to discuss the "Boss" copyright, providing the perfect excuse to escape his mother's matchmaking. This was exactly what Jiang Zitong and Chen Yiming had planned, hoping a trip would give him a much-needed break from his relentless work. One evening, Lu Jingwen showed up at Lu Li's apartment for dinner.
He noted her unusually disciplined schedule and pressed her for her story. Lu Li reluctantly admitted she had been in an unrequited love for five years and had moved to Chongqing to start over. Just then, Lu Jingwen received a call and excitedly told Lu Li that his "most hated college buddy" was coming to the company.
The next day, Jiang Yicheng arrived at Wenjing Film for his meeting while Lu Li was in another room fixing a computer, and they narrowly missed each other. After a successful meeting, Lu Jingwen invited Jiang Yicheng to his place for drinks. That evening, Lu Li went to a nearby store for snacks and was shocked to see Jiang Yicheng at the checkout. She immediately ducked behind a shelf to hide.
Jiang Yicheng noticed a figure in the corner but didn't recognize her. After returning to his company, Jiang Yicheng was presented with the restored surveillance footage he had requested. The technician explained that the saboteur was highly skilled. The video clearly showed Li Man entering Jiang Yicheng's office and staying for ten minutes with the lights off, directly contradicting her claim that she had only gone in to turn off the lights.
His colleague suggested they give the evidence to EG to vindicate Lu Li. Jiang Yicheng agreed to handle it himself, stating that he owed Lu Li and would restore her reputation.
Episode 24 Recap
Driven by the lingering pain of Lu Li’s tears, Jiang Yicheng confronted Li Man. Mistakenly believing he sought reconciliation, Li Man was quickly disabused of the notion when he presented her with a data disk containing restored surveillance footage. Faced with irrefutable evidence, Li Man confessed to deleting the "BOSS" demo and fabricating a scenario to drive Lu Li away.
She revealed that Lu Li had indeed visited the hotel when Jiang Yicheng met Andrew, and that she had intentionally left a lipstick mark on Jiang Yicheng’s T-shirt to mislead Lu Li into believing they were back together. Expressing his disgust, Jiang Yicheng stated he wished to sever all ties and demanded her withdrawal from the "Xuan Zhong Ji" project within three days to clear Lu Li's name.
He dismissed Li Man’s attempts to use her father’s ill health as an excuse, coldly asserting that he would find Lu Li, despite Li Man's insistence that Lu Li would never return. Meanwhile, at Lu Li's new company, Director Gao Xi, who disliked her, tried to humiliate her by claiming to have accidentally deleted a crucial report and demanding she recover it. Surrounded by mocking colleagues, Lu Li calmly accepted the challenge.
She obtained the source data and, using her VBA programming skills, reconstructed the entire report—a task that had originally taken two people half a month—in under five minutes. This astounding display of skill silenced her detractors and left Director Gao speechless. Lu Li confidently told Director Gao that computers don't lie, implying she knew the file was never deleted, and even offered to teach her report automation, further embarrassing her.
Later, Lu Li had a video call with her friend, Gu Xiaoqi, who was unboxing a care package Lu Li had sent. Gu Xiaoqi shared her recent woes, including her friend being cheated on, Jiang Yicheng's divorce, and her own unrequited feelings, which made her want to drink. She also mentioned seeing Jiang Yicheng on a business trip, concerned that he was still "haunting" Lu Li.
The conversation shifted when Gu Xiaoqi discovered a human-shaped clay sculpture in the package, a gift from "Tianqi's dad," an online acquaintance she was clearly smitten with. Cautious about online relationships, Lu Li advised her to meet him in person, warning that he might not match the idealized image in her head. At the same time, Jiang Yicheng, carrying an abundance of local specialties from Chongqing, stood outside Lu Li’s parents' door.
He seized an opportunity to enter when a neighbor, Sister Wang, arrived for a visit. Sister Wang warmly praised Jiang Yicheng, assuming he was Lu Li’s husband. When Jiang Yicheng presented his gifts and mentioned he'd just come from Chongqing, Lu Li's parents grew wary. His sharp eyes then caught sight of shipping boxes in the corner labeled "From Chongqing to Xinhai, Lu." He subtly asked if Lu Li was in Chongqing, and their frantic denials immediately confirmed his suspicions.
Barely concealing his triumph, Jiang Yicheng thanked them and promptly delegated all his work to Chen Yiming, announcing his impromptu trip to Chongqing. As Chen Yiming received Jiang Yicheng’s call, he was trying to manage a heavily intoxicated Jiang Zitong. She tearfully recounted her recent misfortunes and unrequited love for him. Despite his attempts to take her home, Jiang Zitong adamantly refused, fearing her parents' wrath. Reluctantly, Chen Yiming brought her to his apartment.
The next morning, she awoke in his bed and playfully donned his shirt. As she embraced him from behind in the kitchen, he subtly prompted her to check her reflection, revealing her smudged makeup from the night before, much to her embarrassment. Upon arriving in Chongqing, Jiang Yicheng placed public advertisements with a heartfelt apology, hoping to find Lu Li.
News of his arrival and his mission to reconcile with his "wife" quickly reached Lu Jingwen, who, amused by the situation, arranged a dinner to celebrate their business deal and observe Jiang Yicheng's plight. He also invited Lu Li, encouraging her to be more social. Lu Li reluctantly accepted. At the restaurant, Lu Li was dismayed to find the dinner was in honor of "Mr. Jiang from Enchant Technology." Before she could escape, Jiang Yicheng entered, and their eyes met.
Throughout the tense dinner, Jiang Yicheng's gaze remained fixed on Lu Li. He refused toasts from others but intervened when Lu Jingwen pressured Lu Li to drink, insisting on drinking on her behalf and boasting that he had more "face" with her. After several drinks, Jiang Yicheng became heavily intoxicated, clinging to Lu Jingwen, whom he drunkenly mistook for his wife, and repeatedly begged for forgiveness. Forced to be their driver, Lu Li gripped the steering wheel in silence.
Later, back at Lu Jingwen's place, she prepared a glass of honey water for Jiang Yicheng but, realizing she no longer had the standing to care for him, drank it herself with a heavy heart. The following day, Jiang Yicheng insisted on visiting Lu Jingwen’s company to see Lu Li. When Lu Jingwen was called away, he left Jiang Yicheng in Lu Li's care.
She remained cold, stating they had nothing to discuss unless he was there to sign divorce papers. Just then, Lu Jingwen called Lu Li to his office to fix a computer, leaving Director Gao Xi to entertain Jiang Yicheng. Seizing the opportunity, Gao Xi insinuated to Jiang Yicheng that Lu Li and Lu Jingwen's relationship was unprofessional. Sensing her malicious intent, Jiang Yicheng protectively sent her on a nearly impossible errand to buy ten different local snacks before lunch.
He then found Lu Li in Lu Jingwen’s office, where he witnessed their friendly banter as Lu Jingwen jokingly asked to be her "disciple." Seeing Lu Li so at ease in her new life, a wave of jealousy washed over Jiang Yicheng.
Episode 25 Recap
Following their tense encounter, Jiang Yicheng finds Lu Jingwen at the office gently touching Lu Li's head, which provokes his jealousy. When Jiang Yicheng announces he is hungry, Lu Jingwen invites Lu Li to join them for lunch. At the restaurant, Lu Jingwen preempts Jiang Yicheng by demonstrating his deep familiarity with Lu Li's preferences, noting her seafood allergy and her fondness for spicy and sour flavors, and ordering for her.
When Lu Li sneezes, Lu Jingwen immediately offers his coat, subtly lecturing Jiang Yicheng on how to care for a woman. When asked how they met, Lu Jingwen explains he knocked on her door late one night after spilling water on his laptop, a story Jiang Yicheng scoffs at.
The two men then rehash their old college rivalry, with Jiang Yicheng accusing Lu Jingwen of being a playboy who dated women from all twelve zodiac signs, while Lu Jingwen retorts that Jiang Yicheng stole his potential targets, declaring their "love-snatching feud" reignited. Meanwhile, Gu Xiaoqi prepares to finally meet Tianqi's owner, "Mr. Ye," dressing elaborately for the occasion. She initially mistakes a man named Mr. Li for him, only to discover he is there for a blind date.
Relieved, Gu Xiaoqi is then stunned to see Gu Mo approaching with her ringing phone, revealing he is the "Mr. Ye" she has been chatting with online. Enraged by the deception, she confronts Gu Mo, who explains he used this method because she always gets angry with him. She furiously denies having feelings for him, claiming her affection was for the "illusion" he created, akin to admiring a fictional character.
She storms home and prepares to throw away all the gifts he sent her, but finds herself hesitating, questioning if she has actually fallen for Gu Mo. After work, Lu Li is met by the intense gazes of both Jiang Yicheng and Lu Jingwen. She finds a convenient escape when Yao Yao calls asking for programming lessons. The two men follow her, their rivalry continuing as they walk.
Jiang Yicheng questions Lu Jingwen's sudden interest in Lu Li, suggesting she isn't his usual type. Lu Jingwen confesses that Lu Li is unlike anyone he has met before—an independent female programmer with a story—and his desire to protect her is genuine. Later that night, Jiang Yicheng resorts to desperate measures, loudly knocking and making noise outside Lu Li's apartment, which leads to him being detained by building security.
Lu Jingwen and Lu Li are called down to verify his identity. When asked about his relationship with Lu Li, Jiang Yicheng declares she is his wife. Lu Li coldly corrects him, stating she is his "ex-wife" and that while they are not yet divorced, she will only meet him at the Civil Affairs Bureau to finalize it.
Jiang Yicheng apologizes, revealing that Li Man's father was the one who had her followed and that Li Man deleted her game demo. However, Lu Li remains unmoved, stating the past is over and that she has fallen for someone else.
When Jiang Yicheng presses for a name, Lu Jingwen steps forward, announcing he is the one Lu Li likes and has been promoted from her senior to her boyfriend, a claim Lu Li affirms, leaving Jiang Yicheng to watch them depart in stunned silence. The next morning, while Lu Li worries about maintaining the charade, Lu Jingwen informs her that Jiang Yicheng left overnight.
In reality, Jiang Yicheng has returned to his company to handle a critical situation: Chendong, a rival company led by Xu Yuanzhi, is developing a game similar to "Xuan Zhong Ji" using a programmer poached from his team. Jiang Yicheng stresses the urgency of beating Chendong to market while maintaining quality, leveraging their unique "64-square-kilometer super-large seamless map streaming technology." After pushing his team for rapid progress, he books the earliest flight back to Chongqing.
Meanwhile, Lu Li's programming lessons gain popularity after Yao Yao's friends witness her progress. Finding Lu Li's teaching style much clearer and more affordable than formal courses, they suggest she turn it into a business, a proposition Lu Li considers. Later, an exhausted Jiang Yicheng appears at Lu Li's apartment, having flown back and forth. He asks to rest there since Lu Jingwen's apartment is empty.
He immediately falls asleep, and in a daze, reaches out, grabs a hand, and kisses it. He awakens to the shock of realizing it belongs to Lu Jingwen, who has just arrived. The two men immediately resume their rivalry, with Lu Jingwen asserting his position as Lu Li's boyfriend, while Jiang Yicheng reiterates that Lu Li is still his wife and warns Lu Jingwen to stay away. Separately, while live-streaming, Gu Xiaoqi's cat, Momo, begins making strange noises.
Her viewers suggest Momo is in labor, causing Gu Xiaoqi to panic. Gu Mo, who was watching her stream, immediately calls and rushes over to take her and Momo to the veterinary hospital. After Momo successfully delivers a litter of healthy kittens, Gu Mo seizes the opportunity to appeal for a truce.
Overjoyed by the new arrivals and touched by his timely help, Gu Xiaoqi agrees to reconcile, but only after making Gu Mo promise that Tianqi and all its kittens will remain hers forever. The rivalry between Jiang Yicheng and Lu Jingwen escalates into a childish hotpot eating contest, with the loser being the first to drink water to quell the intense spice. Jiang Yicheng fakes taking a sip, tricking Lu Jingwen into drinking first and thereby winning the bet.
As his prize, Jiang Yicheng demands that Lu Jingwen assign Lu Li to his company's project, arguing her talents are wasted as a network manager. Bound by the bet, Lu Jingwen reluctantly agrees, acknowledging Lu Li is the most suitable person for the job but vowing to protect her from any scheming individuals. Although he assigns Lu Li to the project, Lu Jingwen remains vigilant. Elsewhere, Jiang Yicheng's sister, Tong, grows increasingly suspicious about her brother's prolonged trip. Convinced he is entangled with another woman, she confronts Chen Yiming and insists they go to Chongqing together to "catch the lovers in the act."
Episode 26 Recap
Jiang Yicheng contacted Lu Li early in the morning, requesting an on-site investigation for their project. Lu Li arrived with Lu Jingwen, who asserted his right as the client to join them. At a famous local cableway, Jiang Yicheng secretly took photos of Lu Li, later editing himself into the pictures beside her. When Lu Jingwen suggested that couples who ride the cableway together stay together forever, Jiang Yicheng, aware of Lu Li’s acrophobia, proposed they go elsewhere.
However, Lu Li downplayed her fear, insisting she was fine, and Lu Jingwen asked Jiang Yicheng to take a photo of him with Lu Li. They later visited a "King of Spiciness" competition. Lu Jingwen, hoping to push Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li together, claimed that Lu Li wanted the prize. Despite Lu Li’s protests, Jiang Yicheng declared he would win it for her.
He bravely competed, enduring many chilies, and successfully won the prize, presenting it to a concerned Lu Li. Witnessing this, Lu Jingwen asked Lu Li if she was moved. Lu Li explained that while one might be kind to someone out of guilt, true love cannot be built on it. She believed that forcing a relationship based on obligation would only lead to eventual separation. Later, Jiang Yicheng confessed his greatest wish was for her forgiveness.
He revealed he knew she was "Koala" in "Dream Maker" and that she had studied computer science and joined his company because of him, apologizing for his obliviousness. Lu Li forgave him but urged him to return to his life, stating that her feelings were not a commodity to be compensated for. Jiang Yicheng insisted his feelings were sincere and vowed to prove it. Meanwhile, Huang had an awkward online dating meet-up.
His date criticized his outdated appearance and implied he was naive for thinking she was serious. Ye, a colleague from HR, intervened, pretending to be Huang's scorned girlfriend. She berated the date for leading Huang on and threatened to expose her online if she didn't return the gifts he'd sent. After the date fled, Ye asked Huang how her acting was, and a blushing Huang told her she looked beautiful.
Jiang Zitong, accompanied by Chen Yiming, traveled to Chongqing to find out who Jiang Yicheng was with. After getting his location under the pretense of needing a document signed, they staked out Lu Li's apartment building. Jiang Yicheng tried to prolong his visit by feigning a stomachache to get a glass of water from Lu Li. Losing patience, Jiang Zitong stormed up and pounded on the door, yelling for the "vixen" to come out.
She was shocked when Lu Li opened the door. They quickly concocted a cover story, claiming Jiang Zitong was just visiting Chongqing for the weekend. Just then, Lu Jingwen arrived with food. He announced that Lu Li was now his girlfriend, stunning Jiang Zitong, who lamented that her brother's girl had been "stolen." Lu Jingwen, however, was intrigued by the fiery Jiang Zitong.
Before leaving, Jiang Yicheng invited everyone sightseeing the next day, and Lu Jingwen accepted on Lu Li's behalf. After they left, Lu Li suffered from sudden abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital by Lu Jingwen. While the doctor assured them it was nothing serious, Lu Jingwen realized Lu Li was pregnant with Jiang Yicheng's child and was moved by the depth of her selfless love.
Back at his hotel, Chen Yiming visited Jiang Yicheng, initially intending to persuade him to return to the company due to concerns about Xu Yuanzhi's maneuvering. Seeing Jiang Yicheng's determination, Chen Yiming instead offered to manage the company in his absence. Jiang Yicheng admitted Lu Li still doubted his sincerity but affirmed his plan to win her back, inspired by her own belief that "perseverance is magical."
Separately, Gu Xiaoqi waited for Gu Mo at a café, holding a small cat figurine she planned to give him. Her smile faded when Gu Mo arrived with Ye. Gu Xiaoqi quickly hid the gift. Ye acted familiarly with Gu Mo, ordering his favorite dishes and referencing inside jokes, which made Gu Xiaoqi jealous. When Gu Xiaoqi stepped away, Ye confirmed with Gu Mo that their act was working.
Gu Mo acknowledged her good performance but advised her not to overdo it, revealing a hint of concern for Gu Xiaoqi’s feelings. The next day, during the trip, Lu Li felt car sick, and Lu Jingwen tended to her. Jiang Zitong, eager to create an opportunity for her brother, manipulated the group into a boat ride, insisting Chen Yiming and Lu Jingwen join her and leaving Jiang Yicheng to accompany Lu Li, who preferred to walk.
As a sudden "fox rain" began, Jiang Yicheng sheltered Lu Li with his jacket. He recounted the legend of a fox demon whose search for love was thwarted by rumors, drawing a parallel to their own relationship fractured by a lack of trust. He vowed to rebuild his "credit score" with her.
When the rain stopped and a rainbow appeared, Jiang Yicheng urged Lu Li to make a wish, confessing that he now believed in such things because he had a wish he desperately wanted to come true. Later that evening, Lu Jingwen proposed a game of passing a piece of tissue paper from mouth to mouth. Jiang Zitong, acting as a wingman, deliberately tore the paper so that only a tiny scrap was left when it reached Lu Li.
This forced Jiang Yicheng, the next player, to lean in extremely close to Lu Li's lips, as the episode ended on a reflection that love, unlike a computer program, cannot be easily installed or uninstalled.
Episode 27 Recap
Picking up during the party game from the previous night, Lu Li sensed Jiang Yicheng’s proximity and, overwhelmed with nervousness, quickly surrendered. When Jiang Yicheng offered to take on the loser’s responsibility of washing dishes, Lu Li refused, but he insisted on tying her apron for her. He then steered the conversation to her programming class, advising her to move her business to Xinhai, where conditions and prices would be more favorable, and he could secure permits through his parents.
Unsettled, Lu Li suddenly gagged, claiming she felt unwell due to a cold. Jiang Yicheng, concerned, insisted on taking over the dishwashing so she could rest. Later that evening, Jiang Yicheng sent Lu Li a persistent message, urging her to meet him in the garden and promising to wait for her. When they met, Jiang Yicheng confessed his love, admitting his past obliviousness and the misunderstandings it caused. He vowed to protect her and never hurt her again.
Lu Li questioned if his feelings were merely compensation, but Jiang Yicheng passionately denied it, comparing love to an unexpected "sun shower." He apologized for his past actions, particularly for what happened the night he was drunk, calling himself a jerk. Lu Li asked why he hadn't told her sooner that he remembered, stating that subsequent events would have unfolded differently. Jiang Yicheng then pleaded for another chance to start anew, but Lu Li regretfully refused.
Though disappointed, Jiang Yicheng accepted her decision, saying he was too eager and that it was now his turn to wait for her. Lu Li, visibly downcast, soon encountered Lu Jingwen, who noticed her injured nose. Lu Jingwen revealed he knew about Jiang Yicheng's confession, having overheard him arranging for "starry lights" for the romantic setup.
Lu Li admitted she was almost swayed but feared Jiang Yicheng might be acting out of a sense of responsibility for what happened between them, rather than true love. She articulated her desire for marriage to be born from love, not merely from a sense of duty, and likened her dilemma to coding, fearing a "system crash" if they proved incompatible.
Though not fully understanding her analogy, Lu Jingwen advised her to follow her heart and offered to "test Jiang Yicheng" for her. From a distance, Jiang Yicheng saw the two of them talking and laughing, which made him pause before he quietly walked away. As the trip concluded, Jiang Zhitong asked Lu Li where she was during the blackout, and Lu Jingwen interjected that she had been with him.
In a separate conversation, Chen Yiming told Jiang Zhitong about Jiang Yicheng’s failed confession, noting Lu Li’s rational approach to decisions and vowing to wait for her. Jiang Zhitong then warned Chen Yiming not to make her mistake of only appreciating someone after they're gone. When Lu Jingwen offered Lu Li a ride, Jiang Yicheng intervened, claiming his car was unavailable and hitching a ride with them.
Elsewhere, Gu Xiaoqi noticed a change in Yezi's behavior and suspected she was in love. The suspicion was confirmed when she walked in on Yezi and Huang Xun embracing. Gu Xiaoqi confronted Yezi, accusing her of two-timing. After persistent questioning and a veiled threat to expose the situation, Yezi admitted her relationship with Gu Mo was an elaborate act.
Jiang Yicheng drove Lu Li home, where they were confronted by angry parents who accused her programming class of being a scam. They claimed their daughter, Hui, had stolen her red envelope money to buy a new computer because of the class and argued that girls were unsuitable for computer science. Jiang Yicheng defended Lu Li, explaining the class was free and citing historical female programmers to counter their stereotypes.
Hui arrived and clarified she used her own money because she loves programming, asserting her right to choose her major. After they left, Lu Li texted her mother, reflecting on her own parents' initial opposition to her studying computer science. Meanwhile, another student facing similar pressure quit her class. Later, Gu Xiaoqi called Lu Li, furious about the deception.
Lu Li calmly revealed she had already guessed the truth, explaining that Gu Mo likes Gu Xiaoqi and that the feelings appeared mutual. Gu Xiaoqi, acting on this, arrived at a gathering with Huang Xun, announcing they were in a relationship for a "double date" with Gu Mo and Yezi. This prompted a series of fake confrontations: Gu Mo accused Huang Xun of lying about his whereabouts, while Yezi accused Gu Mo of the same.
Yezi then dramatically declared her "breakup" with Huang Xun was real, while clarifying her relationship with Gu Mo had been fake. A flustered Huang Xun admitted his relationship with Gu Xiaoqi was also an act before chasing after Yezi, who later explained to him it was all a ploy to push Gu Mo and Gu Xiaoqi together.
The ruse worked; Gu Mo confessed to Gu Xiaoqi, calling her by her nickname "Tianqi" and admitting he had liked her for a long time. Gu Xiaoqi reciprocated, and the two shyly began their new relationship. Upon learning Lu Li was at the First Hospital for a check-up, Jiang Yicheng rushed over. He found her with Lu Jingwen, who was looking at an ultrasound image and discussing the "baby."
Overhearing their conversation, a stunned Jiang Yicheng asked Lu Li if she was pregnant, and she confirmed it. He then anxiously asked if the child was his, but Lu Jingwen interjected, claiming paternity and taunting Jiang Yicheng by saying, "The safety trinket you gave her, I'll take it as a welcoming gift for my child." Jiang Yicheng left, heartbroken. Afterward, Lu Jingwen apologized, admitting he was just teasing.
Lu Li revealed she allowed the deception to test Jiang Yicheng's sincerity, believing that if he truly loved her, he would return. Jiang Yicheng returned to Xinhai and drank heavily, haunted by memories. He told his mother he wouldn't return to Chongqing because Lu Li has someone she likes. His mother recalled Jiang Zhitong saying Lu Li and Lu Jingwen seemed to be acting, but Jiang Yicheng insisted it was real and that he should leave her alone.
Meanwhile, Lu Li told Lu Jingwen that if Jiang Yicheng gives up, it will simply prove her hypothesis about his motives, and she would accept the outcome. Lu Jingwen, however, felt guilty, worrying he had made things worse.
Episode 28 Recap
Following his father's advice, Jiang Yicheng arranges for an investigation into his rival, Lu Jingwen. The report confirms that Lu Jingwen is engaged, complete with a photograph from the engagement banquet posted online by his fiancée. Armed with this knowledge, Jiang Yicheng immediately heads to Chongqing. In the elevator of Lu Li's building, he runs into Lu Jingwen. Consumed by anger, Jiang Yicheng punches him before he can explain.
Lu Jingwen, who was forced into the engagement by his family, feels wronged but admits he forgot to tell Lu Li, lamenting that both Jiang Yicheng and his sister resort to violence instead of conversation. Later, Lu Li opens her door to find Jiang Yicheng, who embraces her and explains that despite leaving, he couldn't let her go. He reveals Lu Jingwen's engagement, but Lu Li, though surprised, remains calm and states she will break up with him.
Jiang Yicheng then confesses his change of heart. He says his father initially told him to "steal back" a loved one, but he now understands true love is about selfless devotion, even if it means letting her go for her own happiness. Hearing her decision to end things with Lu Jingwen, Jiang Yicheng reaffirms his commitment and asks for another chance.
When Lu Li hesitates, alluding to her pregnancy, he assures her that he already knows and will wholeheartedly accept and raise the child as his own. He then gently wishes her good night, giving her space to think. The next day, Lu Jingwen tells Lu Li that Jiang Yicheng's persistence is a sign of true love. After a work meeting about the "BOSS" game adaptation, they talk privately.
Sporting a bruised nose, which he jokingly attributes to "testing" Jiang Yicheng, he asks if she and Jiang Yicheng have reconciled. Lu Li confesses she is still struggling with how to address the pregnancy situation with him. Lu Jingwen advises her that a man who stays after learning a woman is pregnant with another's child is either a fool or truly in love.
He encourages her to enjoy Jiang Yicheng's courtship, reminding her that while words can be deceiving, actions are not. Soon after, a delivery person arrives at Lu Li's with numerous packages. Jiang Yicheng appears, explaining the items are his as he intends to move in, citing their legal marriage as justification. Despite her protests about the lack of space, he insists on sleeping on the sofa.
His first attempt at cooking ends in a mess, but he is determined to learn and is later seen studying a parenting book late at night. One evening, Lu Jingwen appears at the door, warning Jiang Yicheng to stay away from Lu Li and the baby. Jiang Yicheng dismisses him and tells Lu Li it was just someone from property management. The following day, Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li go shopping for baby supplies.
Filled with doting affection, he eagerly buys numerous items. He expresses concern that Lu Li isn't wearing radiation-proof clothing for her work, but she explains a colleague has taken over her computer-heavy tasks. At the store, Jiang Yicheng excitedly refers to himself as a "new father." Lu Li then asks him if he truly doesn't mind her pregnancy.
He admits that while he can't say he minds it "not at all," what he truly cares about is her, and since the child is part of her, he fully accepts it. That evening, Jiang Yicheng prepares dinner, his culinary skills vastly improved. When Lu Li notes the food's bland taste, he explains his research into pregnancy nutrition, emphasizing the need for a low-sodium diet and listing other restrictions.
He even looks up if seafood allergies are hereditary, demonstrating his commitment. He insists on handling all household chores, and while Lu Li finds his sudden change a bit overwhelming, she is touched by his efforts. A few days later, Jiang Yicheng surprises Lu Li with a tour of an office building he intends to rent for her training class. Touched but practical, Lu Li gently declines, explaining her pregnancy would prevent her from teaching consistently.
She shares her new, grander vision: to promote programming for women and challenge the societal prejudice that discourages them from the field. She reminds him that he was the one who opened the door to programming for her, and now she wants to do the same for others. Instead of analyzing the difficulties, Jiang Yicheng offers his unconditional support, affectionately calling her a "tree-climbing koala" and promising to follow her lead.
That night, Jiang Yicheng helps Lu Li devise a publicity strategy, suggesting they distribute flyers and host a free, programmer-themed salon to engage with their target audience. Impressed, Lu Li agrees to the simple yet effective plan. Afterwards, Jiang Yicheng calls Lei Zi, who is at an internet cafe, and pressures him to finish a task. After the call, Lei Zi gets into an argument with an opponent he repeatedly defeated.
Annoyed, Lei Zi shoves him, causing the man to fall, hit his head, and lose consciousness. At the hospital, a distraught Lei Zi is approached by Xu Yuanzhi, who identifies himself as the injured man's boss and the chairman of a rival company. Meanwhile, Jiang Yicheng and Lu Li begin their grassroots promotion, handing out flyers and securing a venue for their salon, committing to a minimum of two hundred attendees.
Amid their hard work, Jiang Yicheng gives Lu Li a heartfelt surprise: a collection of birthday gifts and cards, not just for the current year, but for every birthday he had missed since she was a child. As Lu Li reads the thoughtful messages for each year, her remaining resistance to him melts away.
Episode 29 Recap
Gu Xiaoqi busily promoted her products during a live stream, also taking the opportunity to advertise Lu Li’s upcoming Female Programmer Salon. While Gu Mo tidied up, Gu Xiaoqi's mother knocked on the door. Panicked, Gu Xiaoqi quickly pushed Gu Mo into the changing room. Her mother entered, chiding Gu Xiaoqi for the mess and praising Gu Mo, mentioning how handsome and mature he was.
She also inquired about his girlfriend, whom she heard was as beautiful as a fairy, wishing Gu Xiaoqi could find a boyfriend as outstanding as him. Gu Mo, who had been hiding and stifling laughter, emerged after her mother left. He embraced a shy Gu Xiaoqi, sealing their moment with a kiss. Meanwhile, Zitong diligently promoted Lu Li's salon at the gym with Chen Yiming.
When a man approached Zitong offering water and complimenting her, she used the opportunity to ask him to scan a QR code for Lu Li's salon. Chen Yiming, misunderstanding and fearing a stranger was harassing her, grew visibly upset. He immediately called Zitong away, reminding her that she was there to exercise, not to make friends, and cautioning her against adding strangers on WeChat.
Zitong, realizing his concern and jealousy, was amused and assured him that she only liked him and was not interested in other men. After their strenuous promotional efforts, Jiang Yicheng joyfully informed Lu Li that she had successfully met her reservation target. However, when Lu Li arrived at the salon venue, she felt a pang of disappointment as the initial audience was sparse and almost entirely male. As she prepared to go on stage, Jiang Yicheng sensed her nervousness.
He held her hand, pressing his thumb into her palm to leave a mark as a reminder that he would always be by her side. As Lu Li began her presentation, some audience members left. Just as her confidence wavered, Hui, Lu Jingwen, Chen Yiming, Zitong, and a multitude of other girls, including the programming team, enthusiastically rushed in, cheering her on. Their familiar, supportive presence instantly calmed Lu Li, allowing her to speak naturally and confidently.
After the salon, Lu Li and her friends celebrated their success. Zitong confided in Lu Li that she envied her sense of achievement. Jiang Yicheng, however, had slipped away with Chen Yiming to set up a surprise. Chen Yiming guided Lu Li to a special area where a laptop displayed a chat interface, "Welcome to my world, Koala Lu."
As Lu Li logged in, she saw Jiang Yicheng's detailed replies to her past messages, revealing his long-standing affection and even explaining his long hair: a bet with his parents not to cut it until his gaming company succeeded. He then asked for her answer to his feelings. Lu Li, tears welling up, whispered, "Hello, world. You too, are my world." Behind her, a large curtain rose, revealing a screen displaying a montage of their shared memories.
The programmers then entered, each holding a sign with a word, collectively forming a heartfelt confession of love. Standing center stage, Jiang Yicheng again sought her answer. Lu Li, overwhelmed, embraced him tightly. In that moment, she whispered into Jiang Yicheng’s ear that the baby was already sixteen weeks old. Realizing the child was his, Jiang Yicheng was overcome with elation and joyfully embraced her, unwilling to let go as their friends cheered.
Lu Jingwen then playfully told Jiang Yicheng he'd better treat Lu Li well, declaring himself her family now and threatening to intervene if he ever bullied her. Zitong, still struggling to find her own passion, sought Lu Li's advice. Chen Yiming had promised to seriously consider their relationship if she found a career she truly loved, giving her strong incentive.
Recalling Zitong’s innate fashion sense and love for branded cosmetics and skincare, Lu Li suggested she leverage her expertise through live-streaming and short videos, similar to how Gu Xiaoqi sold clothes online. This idea finally clicked with Zitong, providing a clear direction for her future. At a family gathering, Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Mo faced their parents. The elders, having heard about Gu Mo’s girlfriend, were eager to arrange a blind date for Gu Xiaoqi with a recently graduated architect.
Gu Mo, who had been jovial, grew silent. Provoked by the thought of Gu Xiaoqi being set up, he grabbed her hand, stood up, and declared to everyone's surprise that Gu Xiaoqi was his girlfriend. To their relief, the parents were remarkably open-minded and quickly accepted the news, celebrating the happy turn of events. Later, Jiang Yicheng received an urgent call from Chen Yiming.
Their rival, Chendong, had unexpectedly announced a new MMORPG with features strikingly similar to "Xuan Zhong Ji", including a "64-square-kilometer seamless world," a technological feat nearly impossible to achieve in such a short time. Chen Yiming suspected a core programmer had leaked their source code. The company faced not only significant financial losses but also demands for substantial compensation from EG Gaming.
Jiang Yicheng, struggling to contain his fury, ordered Chen Yiming to find the traitor and prepare a lawsuit against Chendong. As he wrestled with the crisis, his phone rang again; it was Xu Yuanzhi.
Episode 30 (Ending) Recap
Following the discovery of a rival game using their source code, Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng arrived at Xu Yuanzhi's company, where they saw Shutian and realized the insider was someone they knew. Jiang Yicheng calmly sat down with Xu Yuanzhi, a man notorious for stealing promising games like "Dream Maker" and "Sanctuary" only to ruin them with poor management. When Xu Yuanzhi offered to acquire Enchant Technology, Lu Li immediately refused before Jiang Yicheng could even speak.
Witnessing her firm stance, Jiang Yicheng smiled, understanding her full support. Lu Li stated that their mission was to create games that bring happiness, not just profit, and they would never let "Xuan Zhong Ji" suffer the same fate as Xu Yuanzhi's previous acquisitions. Supporting her, Jiang Yicheng introduced Lu Li as his wife, declaring her decision final and expressing his disdain for working with someone who prioritized capital over creativity.
The next day, Lu Li was surprised to find Shutian at her door, but Jiang Yicheng welcomed him inside. As noon approached, the two men shared a mysterious smile, puzzling Lu Li. Shutian then revealed the truth: after being blackmailed by Xu Yuanzhi over a fight in a cybercafe, he pretended to cooperate. Instead of betraying Jiang Yicheng, he worked with him to plant a hidden "timed shutdown command" in the stolen program, using obfuscated code to avoid detection.
The command was set to activate at 12 PM, overloading Chendong's servers and causing chaos. Jiang Yicheng added that he then strategically leaked evidence of Chendong's past theft of "Sanctuary"'s source code, leading to Xu Yuanzhi's swift dismissal. Lu Li was astonished by their elaborate plan. Jiang Yicheng apologized for the secrecy, admitting he wanted a dramatic reveal like a male lead in a TV show. Though she found it childish, Lu Li accepted his apology.
Chen Yiming, not having seen Jiang Zitong recently, asked Lu Li for her whereabouts, amusing Lu Li and Jiang Yicheng who realized he had truly fallen for her. Jiang Zitong was busy laying the groundwork for her own fashion boutique. She explained her passion for fashion and how she had been researching other boutiques and planned to study design.
Moved by her dedication, Chen Yiming tried to confess his feelings, but Jiang Zitong, preoccupied with her work and worried about her new clothes wrinkling, cut him off and postponed their talk. Later, Jiang Yicheng took Lu Li to a park and gave her AR glasses for an internal test of "Xuan Zhong Ji", transforming their surroundings into a "pet world."
As Lu Li completed her in-game mission, a message appeared through the glasses—a programming-themed proposal from Jiang Yicheng: "Koala Lu. Are you willing to add a parameter like me to your function? Will you share your RAM with me and enter a marriage deadlock with me? My system supports your action." He then approached with a koala-shaped rose bouquet, and a touched Lu Li accepted. From a distance, both of their parents watched the happy moment unfold.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zitong followed a location sent by Chen Yiming to a perfectly situated shop space, ideal for her boutique and designed to integrate with his coffee shop. Inside, she discovered a photo wall covered in pictures of herself. This was Chen Yiming's confession; he explained that he had done a lot of thinking and was ready to be with her.
Overjoyed that her years of persistence had paid off, Jiang Zitong hugged him and immediately posted the news to her Moments. After seeing Jiang Zitong's post, Lu Li returned home to find a romantic candlelit dinner prepared by Jiang Yicheng, fulfilling his promise of a special first meal as a married couple. They discussed the wedding, and while Jiang Yicheng offered a grand ceremony, Lu Li said she preferred their simple life with meaningful daily rituals.
During dinner, Lu Li noticed Jiang Yicheng had used her expensive face cream on his hands. When he questioned her newfound concern for beauty products, she explained her anxiety about developing freckles during her pregnancy. Jiang Yicheng reassured her that she would always be the most beautiful woman in his eyes. Li Man requested to meet Lu Li, congratulating her on the pregnancy and offering a sincere apology for her and her father's past actions.
She informed Lu Li that she planned to take her father abroad for treatment after his release from prison and that this would likely be their last meeting. Lu Li accepted her words, and as she left, Jiang Yicheng arrived to pick her up. Li Man watched them leave, a sense of closure washing over her.
In a montage of happy endings, Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Mo officially registered their marriage, and Huang Xun and Ye Zi remained a happy couple. Jiang Zitong asked Chen Yiming when he truly fell for her, and he confessed it was after she kissed him in Chongqing, which made him see her not just as a little sister but as a woman. Jiang Zitong playfully lamented not having been more assertive sooner.
Walking home hand-in-hand with Jiang Yicheng, Lu Li reflected that life is like a game without saves, where bravery and persistence are the keys to success. By his side, she felt she had finally written her own perfect operating program.
