Hidden Love Episode 16 Recap
> Hidden Love Recap
Upon receiving a gift from Duan Jiaxu, Sang Zhi discovered a camera inside, which contained a blurry selfie of his collarbone. She immediately called him "thick-skinned" for sending such a picture and asking if she liked it. Duan Jiaxu countered that if she agreed to be pursued by him, he would promptly send a high-definition version.
Sang Zhi privately labeled him a "scheming old man," while Duan Jiaxu remarked that he needed to be one step ahead to deal with "young foxes" like her. After wishing each other good night, Sang Zhi changed his contact name from "Brother No. 2" to "Suitor." Later, after Sang Yan sent her some money, Sang Zhi informed him that she might be getting into a relationship, adding that the person was "quite old."
Sang Yan, initially calm, advised her to be careful not to be scammed. However, his demeanor changed dramatically after she mentioned the man's age. He called her back, demanding to know how old the guy was and adamantly stating he wouldn't accept anyone older than himself, even by a day. Sang Zhi's roommates discussed her situation with Duan Jiaxu.
Ning Wei emphasized the importance of protecting herself, while Sang Zhi confessed her worry that Duan Jiaxu's interest might be a fleeting whim. Another roommate reassured her, suggesting that given their long history, his intentions were likely serious, and proposed that Sang Zhi test him. Soon after, while wearing a bracelet Duan Jiaxu had given her, she received a text from him asking if she was free the next day.
Before Sang Zhi could reply, Ning Wei took her phone and responded, "I'm not free," reminding Sang Zhi they had agreed to test him. Duan Jiaxu then asked about the day after. Sang Zhi, adhering to the test, replied she "might not be free either." Puzzled, Duan Jiaxu consulted his colleagues, who suggested such a response meant "it depends on your performance." He then asked if she was free on Thursday night.
Sang Zhi, prompted by her roommates, finally agreed, considering his three attempts a passing grade. On Thursday, Sang Zhi dressed up for their date, but Duan Jiaxu called to cancel, explaining that an urgent system bug required everyone at work to handle it immediately. He canceled again on another occasion, citing a colleague's issue that necessitated program changes.
After multiple cancellations, Sang Zhi returned to her dorm, telling her roommates the latest one wasn't even due to work, though she hadn't bothered to ask for details. Her roommates were outraged, arguing that he wasn't putting in enough effort. Sang Zhi defended him, explaining he was so overwhelmed he barely had time to sleep, and by the time he finished, her dorm's curfew would have passed. Unbeknownst to Sang Zhi, Duan Jiaxu was grappling with severe family issues.
He visited his father, Duan Zhicheng, at a nursing home, where Dr. Yang informed him that his father, who had been comatose for nine years after an accident, was in critical condition due to severe pulmonary edema. Dr. Yang recommended surgery, offering a hopeful but uncertain reply about the possibility of miracles. Duan Jiaxu then arranged for his father's hospital transfer. A flashback revealed the tragic events of Duan Jiaxu's past.
Years ago, on the night he won a city-wide physics contest, his father returned home intoxicated and confessed to a hit-and-run. Despite pleas from Duan Jiaxu and his mother to surrender, his father jumped from their building in a suicide attempt. This catastrophe forced Duan Jiaxu to take on multiple part-time jobs. His mother insisted he attend university, working tirelessly to support him.
Later, her health deteriorated, and Duan Jiaxu borrowed 30,000 yuan from a university friend for her medical bills. However, she vehemently opposed it, weary of their mounting debts and afraid of leaving him with an even greater burden. Despite his exhaustion, Duan Jiaxu called Sang Zhi for a late-night meet-up. Her roommates eagerly pushed her out the door. When they met, Sang Zhi subtly hinted at her disappointment over his cancellations. Duan Jiaxu apologized, attributing it to "messy trivial affairs."
Sang Zhi challenged him, stating that if they were truly trivial, he shouldn't have neglected her. Surprised by her directness, he asked if she was upset. She denied it, instead expressing concern that he was overworked. Touched, Sang Zhi then made him a cotton candy, explaining that eating sweets always cheered her up. Misinterpreting her gesture and the fact she was wearing his bracelet, Duan Jiaxu declared she had agreed to be his girlfriend.
Flustered, Sang Zhi corrected him, advising him to learn how to properly pursue someone. Duan Jiaxu earnestly apologized for his missteps and promised to seriously court her from that day forward, to which Sang Zhi replied she would be watching his performance. The next day, Sang Zhi attended a sharing session by an alumnus at her university. Duan Jiaxu appeared, explaining he had taken time off work. Sang Zhi playfully called their meeting a "coincidence."
Other students in the hall noticed Duan Jiaxu's gentle gaze fixed on Sang Zhi, speculating that he was her boyfriend. Feeling self-conscious, Sang Zhi pretended to be asleep. At the same time, Sang Yan texted Duan Jiaxu, asking him to look out for his sister, unaware that the man he was concerned about was Duan Jiaxu himself.
