Cute Programmer Episode 24 Recap
> Cute Programmer 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.
