Summit of Our Youth Episode 12 Recap
> Summit of Our Youth Recap
Gu Xuejiao diligently studied English, often staying late at Sun Tiantian's dessert shop where Sun Tiantian thoughtfully prepared cake and bubble tea for her. Gu Xuejiao expressed frustration about struggling to earn enough credits and being turned away from Professor Tan's lab by the "doorkeeper," Lin Jiadong.
She refused Lin Zhihua's suggestion to pull strings for her, insisting she wanted to get in on her own merit to avoid being looked down upon by Lin Zhihua or bullied by Lin Jiadong. When Yi Tianyu arrived to offer her more sweets and a ride back, Gu Xuejiao declined, opting to return to the library, but Yi Tianyu persisted, only to receive a parking ticket notice that forced him to leave to move his car.
In Professor Tan's first programming class, a complex virus infected the system as a test for students. Gu Xuejiao recognized it as an updated version of a "textbook virus" from an old university test, noting its underlying logic remained unchanged from a problem she had encountered before her rebirth. With Professor Tan's permission, she used his computer to explain how the virus added data to the database, causing memory overflow and system collapse.
She further detailed how a specific algorithm using binary XOR operations could bypass its trigger conditions. Impressed, Professor Tan offered her the position of class representative, but Gu Xuejiao instead requested to join his Autonomous Driving Lab elective course. Professor Tan noted her courage, mentioning that only one person, Lin Zhihua, had successfully entered the lab as a freshman before.
Soon after, Gu Xuejiao excitedly informed Lin Zhihua of her success, prompting him to humorously remind her that he was the first freshman to join the lab. Lin Zhihua welcomed her and instructed Lin Jiadong to handle her paperwork. Lin Jiadong, visibly surprised, having previously rejected Gu Xuejiao in an interview, warned her about the lab's "wide entry, strict exit" policy, betting that she had a 99. 99999% chance of failing the course.
Meanwhile, Shu Lan, who had previously looked down on Gu Xuejiao, now admitted that Gu Xuejiao didn't seem so "stupid" anymore, indicating a change in her attitude after Gu Xuejiao's impressive performance in the programming class. Later, Lin Zhihua and Gao Rui attended a meeting with B&C Motors regarding a university-enterprise collaboration. Gao Rui was impressed by the luxurious office and B&C's apparent sincerity, but Lin Zhihua, sensing trouble, dismissed it as a "Hongmen Banquet," a deceptive feast.
Ms. Zheng, B&C's General Manager, presented a contract with highly unfavorable terms: B&C would contribute minimal investment, demand significant equity, and only offer a shared test track in Germany, with visas only for Lin Zhihua and Gao Rui. Lin Zhihua realized B&C intended to exploit their technology and talent. Although Gao Rui expressed doubts about outmaneuvering such a large corporation, Lin Zhihua believed they could leverage B&C's intent to their advantage. Lin Zhihua then left to meet someone else.
Back at the lab, Zhao Qiansun, the general manager of Junlian Investment Co., Ltd., awaited Lin Zhihua. Having heard about B&C Motors' interest, Zhao Qiansun, known for his keen investment insight, immediately wanted to invest in the project, despite not understanding the technology itself. Lin Zhihua explained that B&C's primary appeal was its top technical team, acknowledging that no single team or technology could remain cutting-edge indefinitely.
That weekend, Yi Tianyu’s father, Yi Dafa, criticized his son for not having a girlfriend and wasting time. Yi Dafa praised Gu Xuejiao, suggesting she was a good match and different from Yi Tianyu’s mother, whom he implied "loves shopping and wasting money." Yi Tianyu complained that Gu Xuejiao ignored him, especially since he was focused on his CET-4 and CET-6 exams. Yi Dafa, seeing an opportunity, urged Yi Tianyu to ask Gu Xuejiao for tutoring.
Realizing the potential, Yi Tianyu immediately asked his father to stop the car so he could rush to a bookstore. Lin Zhihua sought clarity of thought by working at a coffee shop. Gu Xuejiao found him there and astutely analyzed B&C Motors' business strategy, describing them as an "industry bully" creating "path monopoly" and exploiting top talents.
She revealed that such corporations aimed to minimize their marginal costs by turning talented individuals into "mere screws in the machine," ultimately reducing their marginal benefits and even discarding them. Lin Zhihua was surprised by her deep understanding of business tactics. After Gu Xuejiao accidentally spilled coffee, an older student from the Physics and Electronics department approached her, trying to get her WeChat. Lin Zhihua quickly intervened, humorously warning Gu Xuejiao to "be on guard against fire, theft, and seniors."
Later, Lin Zhiyue arrived at the lab to visit Lin Zhihua. Gao Rui, recognizing her as the "goddess" he saw in a fever-induced dream, clumsily tried to impress her by pretending to be busy with a critical phone call from the university principals regarding Lin Zhihua's academic achievements. Amused, Lin Zhiyue then called Lin Zhihua, exposing Gao Rui's charade.
Lin Zhihua and Lin Zhiyue went to the Jingda University canteen for a meal, only to encounter Gu Xuejiao, who was tutoring Yi Tianyu there. Yi Tianyu tried to impress Gu Xuejiao by offering her spicy food, which made her choke. Lin Zhihua, observing Gu Xuejiao wiping her nose, thoughtfully handed her a cup of hot water, a gesture she clearly appreciated more.
Lin Zhiyue noticed Lin Zhihua's interest in Gu Xuejiao and subtly advised him against "dimensionally crushing" Yi Tianyu, implying Yi Tianyu was no match. Gu Xuejiao then left with Yi Tianyu to continue their English tutoring. Back at the lab, Gao Rui discreetly asked Lin Zhihua if Lin Zhiyue had a boyfriend. Lin Zhihua simply stated that the word "man" did not exist in a "strong woman's dictionary," much to Gao Rui's dismay.
Lin Jiadong then gave Gu Xuejiao a tour of the lab, introducing her to other members and explaining the lab's two main sections: his collision-avoidance module group and Lin Zhihua's C1 project team. He informed her that Lin Zhihua would soon be leaving for Germany to continue the C1 project's physical vehicle simulation at B&C Motors' headquarters, implying he wouldn't be returning.
Lin Jiadong assigned Gu Xuejiao the task of cleaning and maintaining a newly upgraded processor, specifying that she must carefully clean all its internal dust and external components, then mop the entire lab, expecting to inspect it within an hour. Gu Xuejiao looked disheartened by the cleaning duties. While Gu Xuejiao was mopping, she encountered Lin Zhihua leaving Professor Tan's office. She asked if he was truly going to Germany.
Lin Zhihua, who had just received a new contract from B&C Motors with slightly better details but still unfavorable main terms, cryptically remarked that he would consider staying if someone gave him a reason. Gu Xuejiao hesitated, not daring to interpret his words, and only expressed regret for Professor Tan losing such a talented student. Meanwhile, Yi Tianyu, nearby practicing his English, deliberately made mistakes in his homework to ensure Gu Xuejiao would continue to tutor him.
