Hidden Love Episode 24 Recap
> Hidden Love Recap
Sang Zhi confessed the secrets she had long hoped to hide, pleading with Duan Jiaxu to believe in his own goodness, disregard others' opinions, and stay with her forever. As she struggled to refold the paper stars, Duan Jiaxu, wiping away his tears, promised to cherish them and acknowledged that he had made her cry many times.
He hugged her, assuring her that he knew everything now and playfully emphasized that he finally had a real girlfriend, not the rumored one. When Sang Zhi, remembering his earlier mention of "consideration," feared he meant ending their relationship, Duan Jiaxu clarified his intentions.
He explained his "consideration" was about their future: whether he should stay in Yihe for two years until she graduated before they returned to Nanwu together, or if he should go back to Nanwu first to settle things before she joined him. He even joked that if not for her parents' potential objections, he would have "snatched" her to get their marriage certificate immediately.
Duan Jiaxu insisted that Sang Zhi should focus on her studies, promising to handle her parents' concerns himself. Later that night, Sang Zhi found Duan Jiaxu drinking. He expressed feeling that he hadn't treated her well enough, but Sang Zhi reassured him of his kindness, both in the past and present. Moved, he confessed his love for her, apologizing for the late confession and for the years of emotional turmoil she endured.
He admitted that Sang Zhi's unwavering devotion made him realize his own shortcomings—his slowness to understand and his indecisiveness. He vowed to make up for these failings every day of their life together, promising that she would never regret choosing him. Duan Jiaxu later informed his colleagues, Siyun and Xun, of his decision to resign after completing the upgrade of the Tian Yan System. He explained his plan to return to Nanwu to start his own business.
Though surprised, they understood his resolve when he explained it stemmed from a desire to do more for Sang Zhi and address her parents' concerns. He felt that as the older partner, it was his responsibility to build a stable foundation for their future. Siyun and Xun offered their full support, suggesting he apply to the headquarters to open his own studio, which would provide technical support and ease his financial burden. Duan Jiaxu gratefully accepted their help.
Soon after, Duan Jiaxu received a distressing call from the hospital about his father's critical condition. At his father’s bedside, Duan Jiaxu finally confronted years of unspoken resentment. He recounted how his mother died from untreated cancer because they couldn't afford medical care, a direct consequence of his father's actions. He confessed that he once wished his father would wake up to witness their suffering and feel the guilt he deserved.
However, he also thanked his father, acknowledging that this hardship taught him the true meaning of responsibility. Now a better man capable of protecting his loved ones, he bid his father a final farewell, urging him to apologize to his mother in the afterlife. With a final, faint movement of his hand, Duan Jiaxu’s father passed away. Sang Zhi arrived at the hospital, her face etched with worry.
Duan Jiaxu initially tried to maintain composure, but soon broke down in her arms, sobbing that he was now an orphan. Later, Sang Zhi accompanied Duan Jiaxu to his mother’s grave. He introduced Sang Zhi as his girlfriend and informed his mother of his father's peaceful passing and his plans to settle in Nanwu. Sang Zhi then addressed Duan Jiaxu’s mother directly, assuring her that Duan Jiaxu was an outstanding and sincere person who had persevered through immense hardship.
She promised to take good care of him, ensure his happiness, and protect him from ever being bullied again, vowing that he would have a family and never be alone. A month later, after confirming his resignation and completing the handover, Duan Jiaxu prepared to move back to Nanwu. He told Sang Zhi that wherever she was, that would be his home.
On the day of his departure, a reluctant Sang Zhi clung to his arm all the way to the airport, urging him to work hard but not to overburden himself, and promising to support him if his business failed. As Duan Jiaxu prepared to board, their shared reluctance to part was palpable. Just before he left, Sang Zhi presented him with a meticulously prepared "Guide to a Long-Distance Relationship."
The guide included agreements for daily video calls, celebrating holidays together, and a rule to always reconcile on the same day after an argument. Touched, Duan Jiaxu teased her for her lack of trust but praised the guide, promising to strictly adhere to all its rules.
