Cute Programmer Episode 7 Recap
> Cute Programmer 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.
