Hidden Love Episode 12 Recap
> Hidden Love Recap
Despite years passing, Jiang Ying continues to harass Duan Jiaxu. His colleague expresses relief that Jiang Ying didn't spot Duan Jiaxu's "relative's child," Sang Zhi, during a recent disturbance at the company, worried about what Jiang Ying might do. Duan Jiaxu reassures his colleague he knows how to handle things. Later, Duan Jiaxu calls Sang Zhi, asking when her exams are and if she's bought her ticket home.
Sang Zhi informs him she's bought a ticket for the 19th, but when he asks if she'd be free to eat after her exams, she curtly replies that she'll probably be busy with friends. Sang Zhi is visibly upset, struggling to focus on her studies and blaming Duan Jiaxu for her current mood.
Her roommate Wang Wang notices Sang Zhi has been down lately, ever since the day she delivered the electronic peephole camera to her "relative," hinting that this "relative" might be Sang Zhi's crush. Sang Zhi, despite admitting something happened that day, maintains she is fine and that the person she likes treats her well. With final exams approaching, tension runs high among the students.
After complaining about her boyfriend, Ning Wei proposes a drinking session to de-stress, and Sang Zhi suggests they go after their exams to relax. The group agrees, but Ning Wei has to leave to meet her boyfriend, Chen Qiang. After the exams, Sang Zhi and her friends head to a music bar. The atmosphere is lively, with everyone playing games. Jiang Ming takes the stage and dedicates a love song to his friends, captivating the audience.
Sang Zhi's roommates comment on Jiang Ming's handsome appearance and good singing, but Sang Zhi shows little interest, excusing herself to the washroom. While she's away from the table, Duan Jiaxu calls, asking where she is and if she's been drinking. Upon learning she's at a bar with friends, he immediately declares he's coming to "catch a drunkard."
Sang Zhi is further annoyed, muttering about the contradiction that he won't let her visit him, yet he is now coming to find her. As Sang Zhi heads outside, feeling unwell, Jiang Ming follows to check on her, attempting to support her. Sang Zhi, however, keeps pushing him away, insisting she's fine and waiting for her "brother." Jiang Ming then confesses that the song he sang was specifically for her.
Just then, Duan Jiaxu arrives and takes Sang Zhi from Jiang Ming, who introduces himself as Sang Zhi's classmate. Duan Jiaxu acknowledges him and thanks him before taking Sang Zhi away. Duan Jiaxu confronts Sang Zhi about being at the bar. She argues that she's an adult and can make her own choices, bringing up his past words about being able to do what she wants when she grows up.
She expresses frustration that even as an adult, there are still many things she cannot or dares not do. Feeling nauseous, Sang Zhi wants to sit, but Duan Jiaxu insists on carrying her on his back to avoid her catching a cold. She initially objects, reminding him of his recent surgery, but he assures her it's been over three months.
As he carries her, Sang Zhi drunkenly makes a self-deprecating comment about her weight and being flat-chested, to which Duan Jiaxu humorously responds by trying to console her, mistaking her "flat" comment as a source of genuine sadness. While on Duan Jiaxu's back, Sang Zhi confides that she has a secret: she likes someone who doesn't like her back.
When Duan Jiaxu presses for details, she describes the person as being "very nice" to her but also "very nice to everyone." Duan Jiaxu misinterprets this, concluding that the person is a "central air conditioner" (a slang term for someone who is affable to everyone) and advises her to stop liking such a person, unaware that he is the one she is describing.
After this, Duan Jiaxu privately muses that he wants to become the kind of person Sang Zhi likes—someone who is only good to her. Believing she has grown up and his own debts are finally paid, he decides he can now take care of her. The next morning, Sang Zhi wakes up in her dorm, horrified as she recalls throwing up on Duan Jiaxu.
Her roommates, however, are excitedly gossiping about how handsome her "old brother," Duan Jiaxu, is, comparing him favorably to Ning Wei's boyfriend. Mortified, Sang Zhi makes her roommates promise to stop her from ever drinking again. Duan Jiaxu messages her, informing her that flights at her preferred time are sold out so he has rebooked her ticket, and he will pick her up at 10 AM. Despite her embarrassment, Duan Jiaxu arrives at her school as promised.
As Duan Jiaxu loads her luggage into his car, Jiang Ming approaches Sang Zhi. He tells her that he had wanted to confess on New Year's Eve but she hadn't come. He reiterates that the song he sang at the bar was prepared for her and formally confesses, "Sang Zhi, I like you." Witnessing the confession, Duan Jiaxu discreetly advises Sang Zhi to thank Jiang Ming for his appreciation, then politely reject him.
Following his cue, Sang Zhi thanks Jiang Ming but tells him she already has someone she likes. Jiang Ming accepts her rejection gracefully, assuring her they can still be friends. On the way to the airport, Sang Zhi nervously explains that her visit to the bar was just a post-exam celebration with friends in a safe place. Duan Jiaxu, however, fixates on Jiang Ming, asking if the "1.
95-meter-tall guy" who just gave her a hamburger is the person she likes. Sang Zhi avoids answering, so Duan Jiaxu takes the hamburger, stating she can't eat the beef patty inside and eating it himself. This action reinforces his mistaken belief that Jiang Ming is the object of her affection. Sang Zhi apologizes again for throwing up on him, but Duan Jiaxu kindly dismisses it, offering her fruit and promising to buy her a warm drink at the airport.
