Cute Programmer Episode 13 Recap
> Cute Programmer 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.
