Cute Programmer Episode 1 Recap
> Cute Programmer 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.
