Cute Programmer Episode 8 Recap
> Cute Programmer 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.
