Hidden Love Episode 22 Recap
> Hidden Love Recap
Sang Zhi began her day by preparing breakfast for Duan Jiaxu. Later, when Duan Jiaxu returned home from work, he would often find Sang Zhi asleep on the sofa and affectionately kiss her. He also made sure to order late-night meals for Sang Zhi whenever she had to work overtime.
As Sang Zhi’s internship drew to a close, her supervisors, Siyun and Xun, noted that she and another intern, Wan, were the most intelligent and capable interns they had mentored in years. On her last day, Sang Zhi presented small gifts to her colleagues to express her gratitude. Mr. Zhang, her superior, praised the interns’ impressive performance, offering to either recommend them for positions in Yihe or write recommendation letters if they chose to return to their hometowns.
Duan Jiaxu, meanwhile, celebrated a major professional achievement. His team’s game, "A Dream of Jianghu," had officially launched after more than two years of development, with its performance exceeding all targets. Duan Jiaxu thanked his team for the countless nights and extra hours they had dedicated to the project. Following this, Sang Zhi approached Shi Xiaoyu on her final day, offering her a gift.
She clarified that she had never stolen anyone's boyfriend and advised Xiaoyu to accompany Jiang Ying to see a psychologist, suggesting it might help Jiang Ying and allow Xiaoyu to understand the true situation. Siyun and Xun then met with Duan Jiaxu, attributing the project's success to his perseverance and coordination. They revealed their intention to recommend him for the vacant chief programmer position.
Although Duan Jiaxu felt his credentials might not be sufficient, they assured him of their confidence in his abilities, though the promotion still awaited headquarters' approval. To celebrate and make up for his long work hours, Duan Jiaxu proposed taking Sang Zhi on a holiday to an amusement park, complete with a highly-rated nearby hotel. However, Sang Zhi showed little enthusiasm, concerned about the expense. Instead, she proposed camping, arguing it would be more economical and intimate.
She had already meticulously prepared a comprehensive list of items, envisioning a romantic trip where they could enjoy the sea breeze, watch sunsets, and gaze at the stars, away from the crowds. Swayed by her thoughtful preparations, Duan Jiaxu agreed to the beach camping trip, much to Sang Zhi’s excitement. The next morning, heavy rain thwarted their camping plans, leaving Sang Zhi crestfallen. Undeterred, they decided to set up the tent indoors in Duan Jiaxu’s apartment.
As they worked, Sang Zhi received a video call from her mother. Sang Zhi quickly hid inside the tent while Duan Jiaxu ducked out of sight. Her brother, Sang Yan, who was on the call with their parents, immediately suspected Sang Zhi was at Duan Jiaxu’s place but didn't expose them. During the call, her parents expressed how much they missed her and wished she would return to Nanwu for future internships and after graduation.
After the call, Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu played a board game. Later that evening, noticing how homesick she was, Duan Jiaxu tenderly promised to accompany her back to Nanwu for the upcoming National Day holiday. Back at university, Sang Zhi decided to participate in the Yihe University Design Competition to enhance her resume. One of her friends, who was planning to enter with a concept called "The Century's Star Wars," encouraged her to find inspiration during the holiday.
Meanwhile, her friend Wangwang approached Jiang Ming to give him an edited version of his interview. Wangwang then boldly confessed her long-held feelings for him, explaining she had been drawn to him since he helped her during their first meeting. She reassured a flustered Jiang Ming that she simply wanted to be honest and hoped they could remain friends. As the National Day holiday approached, Sang Yan arrived in Yihe to pick up Sang Zhi.
On their drive home, he complained about Duan Jiaxu sending him takeout with a note claiming his "boyfriend" was weak, annoyed by what he saw as over-the-top concern. Sang Zhi defended Duan Jiaxu, explaining he was just busy and worried. Sang Yan then panicked, realizing he had forgotten to buy Sang Zhi her favorite deep-fried duck with taro mash. Upon arriving home, Sang Zhi surprised her parents, who were excited about their new camera.
Later, she privately called Duan Jiaxu, and they both expressed how much they missed each other. Duan Jiaxu promised to fly to Nanwu the next day to see her. After the call, Sang Zhi held her little fox plushie and looked at the star-filled bottle, reflecting on the reality of her relationship with Duan Jiaxu. Moments later, Sang Zhi’s parents confronted her about her dating life.
Overwhelmed by their barrage of questions about her boyfriend's age, background, and willingness to move to Nanwu, Sang Zhi panicked and fled to Sang Yan for help. She pleaded with him to take her to dinner with his friends, knowing Duan Jiaxu would be there. In the car, Sang Yan’s jealousy surfaced. He complained that when they were younger, Sang Zhi used to call Duan Jiaxu "brother" more affectionately than she ever called him.
He recounted past instances where she seemingly favored Duan Jiaxu, such as insisting on his help to move into a new dorm or an occasion where he and Duan Jiaxu even had to buy her sanitary pads. Sang Zhi dismissed his complaints as exaggerated and told him to focus on driving, playfully affirming her affection for her brother despite his jabs.
