Hidden Love Episode 17 Recap
> Hidden Love Recap
Sang Zhi was resting her head on her desk during a lecture when Duan Jiaxu playfully poked her face. She sat up abruptly, her ears reddening. When he feigned ignorance, Sang Zhi, after telling him to come closer, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. She immediately clarified that this gesture didn't imply romantic feelings and that she hadn't agreed to be his girlfriend.
Duan Jiaxu teasingly accused her of "taking advantage," to which Sang Zhi retorted that he had started it. When Sang Zhi threatened to tell her brother, Duan Jiaxu confidently stated that their relationship would eventually go public anyway. Sang Zhi insisted she hadn't agreed to anything and urged him to leave, claiming she couldn't focus on the class with him there, but he chose to stay. Their senior, Wang Lin, then began a sharing session on future career planning.
After class, Duan Jiaxu accompanied Sang Zhi on a stroll through the campus. He asked if she hadn't experienced such walks before, to which she replied she hadn't, as there was no one to accompany her. He playfully teased her about Sang Yan. They then came across a basketball game where their friends, including Chen Qiang, were playing. Jiang Ming, one of the players, twisted his ankle, and their friend Wang rushed to his side in concern.
Seeing the team was short a player, Duan Jiaxu was asked to substitute. He quickly proved his skills on the court, capturing the admiration of the female students watching. One girl even mistook him for Sang Zhi's brother, but another clarified they were not related. Later, as summer break approached, Sang Zhi discussed her plans with her roommates, Yu Xin and Weiwei. Yu Xin announced she would be interning at a design company that was interested in her game prototype.
Inspired, Sang Zhi expressed her desire to find an internship in Yihe instead of going home and sought resume advice from Yu Xin. Sang Zhi then messaged Sang Yan, explaining her wish to stay for an internship and asking him to help convince their parents. She offered to support him if their mother pressured him to get married. Sang Yan immediately called, suspiciously asking if her "postgraduate boyfriend" was also staying in Yihe.
He firmly demanded she return home, accusing her of staying for a relationship. Sang Zhi clarified it was for an internship and playfully accused him of being jealous. Sang Yan insisted he had a girlfriend and warned her not to be foolish over love, referencing a past incident where she ran off to meet an online friend. He reiterated that she must come home, but she stood her ground.
Meanwhile, Wang visited Jiang Ming to deliver traditional medicine for his sprained ankle, leading their friends to tease her about her obvious feelings for him. Later that evening, Duan Jiaxu messaged Sang Zhi after work. To his surprise, Sang Zhi appeared moments later, holding balloons and a gift, wishing him a happy birthday. Duan Jiaxu admitted he had forgotten. After learning that neither Sang Yan nor their friend Qian Fei had remembered, Sang Zhi discreetly messaged her brother.
Soon after, Sang Yan called Duan Jiaxu to wish him a happy birthday and slyly inquired about Sang Zhi's supposed "postgraduate boyfriend." Flustered, Sang Zhi hastily ended the call. Duan Jiaxu then teased her, asking if she truly had no feelings for him. After some hesitation, Sang Zhi quietly admitted, "Maybe just a little bit."
Unfazed, Duan Jiaxu stated that he would continue pursuing her, promising that "what other young girls have, my Zhizhi has to have it too," and playfully suggesting this would be her only relationship. For his birthday dinner, Sang Zhi had rented out an entire restaurant. She went into the kitchen to prepare longevity noodles herself, struggling to cut mushrooms in a "flower style." When Duan Jiaxu entered the kitchen out of curiosity, she promptly ushered him out.
Once the noodles were ready, she reluctantly let him take a photo, admitting she wasn't sure if they were edible. Duan Jiaxu, however, took a large bite, praised them as delicious, and finished the entire bowl. He then closed his eyes and made a birthday wish. Sang Zhi confidently stated she knew his wish and that it was very easy to fulfill.
She then announced she was agreeing to be with him, clarifying that she wanted to be by his side for all his future birthdays. Surprised and overjoyed, Duan Jiaxu stood up and gave her a tender first kiss. Sang Zhi expressed how special the day was, as it was both the first birthday she had celebrated with him and their first day as a couple. Duan Jiaxu then decided to fully disclose his family situation.
He revealed that his mother had passed away and his father was in a coma, a result of a drunk driving accident years ago in which someone was killed. He added that he had paid off the compensation and now had a car and some savings, but no house. He apologized for the sudden revelation, but Sang Zhi reassured him, saying she was only worried that recalling these memories would make him sad.
He admitted he was nervous she might "mind" his past, but she firmly reiterated that she didn't at all. The following day, a power outage occurred in Sang Zhi's dormitory. Duan Jiaxu called, affectionately calling her "girlfriend," and suggested they have lunch. She declined, saying she was heading to the library to study. Unexpectedly, Duan Jiaxu appeared at her dorm, explaining the library would be full. He invited her to his apartment to study, promising to cook for her.
At his place, he insisted she study at the desk in his room so he wouldn't disturb her while he cooked in the living room. While Sang Zhi studied, Duan Jiaxu simply sat in the living room, admitting he just wanted to watch her. Unbeknownst to Duan Jiaxu, Sang Zhi had also visited a cake shop to order a custom 8-inch cake for him, showing the staff a picture of the design she wanted.
While placing the order, her phone rang. It was her mother, calling back about the longevity noodles recipe Sang Zhi had requested earlier. Sang Zhi explained it was for Jiaxu's birthday and that since he was alone in Yihe and had been so caring, she wanted to make him a special meal, adding that her mother's recipe was the best. Pleased, her mother agreed to write down the recipe and send it to her.
