Hidden Love (2023): Season 1, Episode 23 - Stranded, but Love Is Persistent. - full transcript

As Sang Zhi's internship comes to a close, she plans a special holiday with Jiaxu. But her parents begin to notice something odd about their daughter.

ADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL
HIDDEN LOVE BY ZHU YI

Tell that dog to come down here.

He's coming down already.

Maybe I should leave you here.

I'm going to go.

I thought we were having a barbecue.

You seem quite happy to be here.

All right. Go on.

Give me my phone and bag.

Hey.

Can't you be more reserved?



What's wrong now?

I'm here for my boyfriend.

Why should I be reserved?

You're weird.

Are you sure it was Duan Jiaxu

who did the pursuing?

What is that supposed to mean?

I'm just asking.

Don't spin any stories.

Mind your language.

I said I was just asking.

You were implying something.

I was asking…

What are you arguing about?



Get in the car.

Ignore him. Let's go.

Come here.

Sorry for the long wait.

Are you hungry?

No.

Are you hungry?

Not yet.

What?

Do me a favor.

Please don't do anything

you shouldn't do in my car.

Thank you.

What shouldn't we do here?

Just drive.

What?

Do you take me as your personal driver?

Sang Yan, be honest with me.

Do you envy us a lot?

Fine, little demon.

Jiaxu, let me ask you something.

Back in our senior year of university,

we moved dorms and my sister…

Shut it.

Let go.

Just drive.

All right.

Welcome to Sang Yan's personal ride.

Please fasten your seat belts.

May I know if the temperature is okay?

If so, please give me a five-star rating.

-Today--
-Shut it. Just drive.

Your brother talks a lot.

I'm hungry.

-You must be starving.
-In college--

-I just ate.
-Here they come.

Hurry up!

We've been waiting for ages!

What took you…

What's going on?

-Don't you know?
-I don't.

I'm not telling you.

Hello, guys.

-Hi.
-Take your seats.

Hello, Qian Fei.

I forgot to introduce her.

This is my girlfriend.

Hold on.

When we graduated,

you two were taking photos.

Wang Jun asked you who she is.

You said she is your sister.

That's right.

Back then,

I had a crush on her.

I was too embarrassed to say it.

-Sang Yan.
-Did you know?

Sang Yan, are you and Jiaxu already…

Yes.

Order food already.

I'm footing the bill tonight.

I'm starving.

-Excuse me!
-Menu, please.

Do you have pork knuckles?

You waited three months to tell us!

-No, wait. Hear me out.
-Qian Fei!

We should congratulate him.

-Congratulations.
-Congratulations.

This is too sudden. Thank you!

-Cheers.
-Cheers.

I was going to tell you.

I'll go first.

Take it easy.

I'll be fine.

So have you found a confinement center?

No? What about the hospital?

Private or public?

Hold on.

You should start
drawing up a budget, buddy.

-Is it expensive?
-Yes.

A premium center costs six figures.

-Some charge over a million.
-Is that all?

-Yes.
-Sang Yan.

How do you know?

She has a point.

I'll have to know eventually.

I did some research in advance.

Why were you researching this?

That's fishy.

Forget about me.

-Something is up.
-Forget it.

Stop drinking. You've had enough.

What do you mean? I barely had any.

What's wrong?

Can't my girlfriend have some wine?

Can't I?

Fine, as you wish.

Your old boyfriend can deal with you.

"Boyfriend" is enough.

Why are you calling me old?

It's hard on the ears.

No, I mean it.

She has to be home by ten.

All right.

Why should we listen to him?

Are you feeling rebellious?

Fine.

The call went through.

Hello, Mom.

Sang Zhi called me a midget!

-Keep it down.
-She even called me ugly.

She even hit me.

-Enough, buddy.
-That's so embarrassing.

You are too old for this prank.

I know. She will be home by ten.

Qian Fei.

Congratulations.

-Drink up.
-Yes.

-Bottoms up.
-Congratulations, Qian Fei.

Your turn will come eventually.

Eventually? Not anytime soon.

It has to wait!

Finish your wine.

Enough with your feudal mindset. Be nice.

Sang Yan.

Ease up on the wine.

How is your wine better?

Okay, you've had enough.

Are you eager to go home?

No.

Jiaxu, why didn't you drive today?

It's quite a long walk from here.

You drank too much wine.

You can't go home reeking of wine.

What's the matter?

Are you really allergic to alcohol?

Should we give it a try?

Let's see

if I'm allergic to it.

I don't think I'm allergic anymore.

I can give you a few more kisses.

Hold on.

This can't go on forever.

I think

I have to see you every day.

If I don't see you for even a day,

I'll miss you so badly.

I'm heading home.

Bye.

Where were you?

I took out the trash.

Why did you come home so late?

Sang Yan took me out to dinner.

-Then…
-I'm going to sleep.

What's wrong?

Did you have wine?

Just a little bit.

I didn't drink much.

Sang Yan was there anyway.

I'll let it go since Sang Yan was there.

But when you go out alone,

do not drink.

Are you and Duan Jiaxu dating?

I saw everything.

How long has it been?

Not that long.

I wanted to tell you.

But…

Is this why you didn't come home
for the summer?

That was part of the reason.

But it was also

because I finally got an internship.

I wanted to gain some experience
before I graduated.

Did you stay at the dorm or his place

over the summer?

The dorm.

It's true.

Sang Yan came to Yihe.

He knows everything.

Mom, don't worry about it.

Jiaxu treats me well.

He is a kind person.

You know him well.

I know him. I know he is a good man.

But do you know about his family?

I don't know how it is now.

Your brother told me before

that his dad is in a coma.

The victim's family
often gives them trouble.

It's not really that often.

Have you run into them?

Jiaxu told me about it.

You just took his word for it.

You haven't seen it for yourself,
have you?

I know he has been nice to you
since you were little.

He was your tutor.

I wonder

if you've mistaken your admiration for him

for love.

You only see him as a brother, right?

But if you two are in a relationship,

your dad and I…

I…

I don't.

I am an adult now.

Would I not be able
to tell admiration from love?

I really do like him.

Zhizhi, you are only a young girl.

You're still in college.

But he's different.

He's much older than you.

He has a lot of experience as an adult.

I know you won't like what I'm saying.

We'll talk about it another time.

Shower and go to bed.

CHAPTER 23, STRANDED

LOVE WITHOUT SECOND THOUGHTS

Who do we have here?

Where were you this morning?

I…

I did something very important.

Something very important?

What is it?

You'll know soon enough.

I can't tell you yet. All right?

I've been thinking.

You didn't go home all summer.

Spend more time with your parents.

What about you?

I'll stay here too.

I'm thinking

I should pick a day

to formally visit your parents.

What do you think?

I think it's a great idea.

I'll ask them when I get back.

And then we can go out for dinner.

We can ask them.

All right.

Then let's go.

I'll turn 20 next year.

And I am almost 26.

Time doesn't slow down for anyone.

I'm not calling you old.

I just think

I am too young.

I wish I weren't 20 years old.

It would be great if I were 29.

What makes you say that?

I would be three years older than you

if I were 29.

That way…

That way,

my brother wouldn't have hit you

for dating me.

I can't allow that.

I like younger girls.

But I'll turn old someday.

But you'll still be younger than me.

What has gotten into you?

Duan Jiaxu.

Are you happy?

Of course I am.

Are you really happy?

I really am.

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

I'm glad to hear that.

I want you to stay happy every day.

I will make sure

you are happy every day of your life.

Okay.

That will depend on you.

We'll see if you'll keep staying with me.

Here you go.

Xiaoduan, have some tea.

Thank you, Mr. Sang.

Take a seat.

Don't act like a stranger.

Did you bring me tea leaves?

You like tea.

I don't know much about it.

I thought you could appraise them.

Very well.

I asked you to come here

while Zhizhi is away today.

I know it was sudden.

I hope you don't mind.

I don't.

I was planning

to visit you and Mrs. Sang in person soon.

Honestly,

I was a little surprised when I found out

that you and Zhizhi are dating.

I wanted to inform you personally.

I talked to her

about some issues.

But she doesn't seem to get it.

Her mom and I have been thinking.

Since you are in Nanwu,

we might as well ask you to come here,

so we can discuss it face-to-face.

Mr. Sang,

is there anything that concerns you?

Feel free to ask me.

That is great.

How long have you and Zhizhi been dating?

We started dating in May.

It has been less than a year.

It hasn't been that long.

Sang Yan told me

that you've settled your family affairs.

-Is that right?
-Yes.

Did that family cause you
any more trouble?

Not recently.

So how is your dad doing lately?

He is

still the same.

He's still bedridden.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Xiaoduan.

You've always been good to Zhizhi.

You've taken care of her.

Her mom and I are grateful for that.

But if you want to be
in a relationship with her,

given the circumstances of your family,

her mom and I

are indeed a bit concerned.

Zhizhi is still young.

Maybe she hasn't thought that far ahead

about this relationship.

However,

if you two are in a relationship…

After all, we are her parents.

We are worried.

I understand.

I can relate to that, Mr. Sang.

All the concerns you have

are things that I should consider.

But you have my word.

I will

resolve all of these issues.

I believe you on this.

I'm only expressing my concerns.

This might sound hurtful to you.

I hope you understand.

It's okay.

After all,

we've doted on Zhizhi all her life.

It pains us to see her suffer.

Yes.

Zhizhi isn't even 20 yet.

You are a bit older than her.

I truly hope

that you can seriously consider

your future with her.

Is that clear?

Yes, Mr. Sang.

I'm home.

Welcome home.

How was the classmate gathering?

It was not bad.

I just feel

that everyone has changed

quite a lot.

Is that so?

Let me get it for you.

I'll help you slice the fruit, Mom.

No need. Talk to your dad.

I can manage.

What did we do to deserve
such a lovely daughter?

I've been thinking about the past.

I remember you were weak as a child.

You often had a cold or fever.

Your mom and I

went to the hospital every other day.

You would cry as soon
as we entered the hospital.

Seeing you in pain pained us just as much.

But there was no other way.

Your brother was only a little boy.

He didn't like having a new addition.

He felt that we neglected him

after you came along.

I remember he wrote in his diary,

"I would rather have a dog

than this sister."

But when you were in the hospital

and he couldn't see you,

he kept following me around

and asking me where you were.

One day, I told him

that we had gotten rid of you.

He was so scared that he cried.

That is an amusing memory.

It feels like it happened yesterday.

And now, you and your brother
are grown-ups.

You're turning 20 next year.

You've also started dating.

In a few years,

you'll get married.

Yes.

Time flies like an arrow.

Zhizhi.

I am not a snobbish person.

I don't think
that we're superior to others

simply because we are comfortably off.

I'm not saying that no one deserves you.

Of course,

if anyone wants to be your boyfriend,

I am certain I can find his flaws.

I'm not saying

you are too fragile to undergo hardships.

But your mom and I

really hate to see you suffer.

We don't want you to have a hard life.

We will always have that kind of worry.

Don't worry, Dad.

I am not suffering any hardships.

I am very happy every day.

I'm glad to hear that.

I think of myself as a normal parent.

I am the same

as every other dad.

I only hope that my daughter

can have a smooth life free from any harm.

I want you to be safe and happy.

Zhizhi.

Thanks, Mom.

I wasn't going

to tell you this

because I was afraid you might get upset

and hold it against us.

Today,

I asked Jiaxu to come here

while you were away.

You mentioned

that we would talk…

in person together.

Isn't that right?

So what did you talk about

while I was away?

I told him the concerns

that your mom and I were having.

What I told him

may have been hurtful in some ways.

But he said
that he would seriously consider

your future together.

You might think

it's unnecessary
to think that far ahead right now.

But if you want to be together
in the long run,

I want you to think it through,

given his current family circumstances.

If you think it's not the right fit,

it would be better to break up.

Yes, Zhizhi.

If you can't bring yourself

to tell Duan Jiaxu,

we can tell him on your behalf.

This…

I know you think I can't handle

the slightest challenge in life.

But he hasn't brought me any hardships.

And the thing is,

despite his family's circumstances

and his bedridden dad,

I'm willing to face everything
with him together.

I am willing to shoulder it.

Our relationship wasn't formed on a whim.

We went through a lot of considerations.

But can you please

not hold a prejudice against him?

What happened to his family
wasn't his choice.

He has suffered a lot of prejudices.

I never imagined

that you would…

Your dad and I are just worried--

I'm tired.

I'm going to my room.

This…

Xiaoduan.

You've always been good to Zhizhi.

You've taken care of her.

Her mom and I are grateful for that.

But if you want to be
in a relationship with her,

given the circumstances of your family,

her mom and I

are indeed a bit concerned.

Why would they say those things to Jiaxu?

He must feel a lot of pressure.

What should I say to him?

Hello?

Hello?

Was it an accidental dial?

No.

What's wrong?

Why aren't you saying anything?

Sorry.

Whatever they said,

don't take it to heart.

So

don't be upset.

I'm not upset.

Your parents didn't say anything hurtful.

They were nice.

But it's true.

They did express some of their concerns.

What concerns?

They think I am too old.

It will be embarrassing

when we go out together.

Did you talk about this?

Stop joking around.

I am serious.

It was nothing.

Your dad told me a lot of things.

I'm not sure which of them you mean.

I mean

the part where they told you
to reconsider.

Well…

Don't you have any questions for me?

Or maybe

is there something you would like to say?

Sang Zhi.

I'm just asking.

It doesn't matter anyway.

I'm calling

because I want you to know

that you are great.

As you know,

they always think I am too young.

That's why they are concerned.

But thankfully, it's you.

If it were anyone else,

they would have a lot more to say.

I know.

By the way,

as I've told you,

what happened to your family

has nothing to do with you.

Don't blame yourself.

Besides,

whatever happens to your dad,

we can shoulder it together.

We can look after him together.

I know all of that.

Don't say anything rash to them.

You finally get to take a break.

Spend time with your parents.

Do not let this matter affect your mood.

All right.

Stop thinking about it.

Go to sleep. Okay?

-Okay.
-One more thing.

I have to head back to Yihe

tomorrow morning.

Head back

to Yihe?

I just received a phone call.

I have to meet a client for work tomorrow,

so I have to head back.

Then

I'll go with you.

Don't. The flight is tomorrow morning.

It's very early.

Stay home and sleep tight.

Let me see you off.

You really don't have to.

I'm a grown man.

I can go to the airport on my own.

All right.

Stop thinking about it. I mean it.

Go to sleep. Okay?

Okay.

Good night.

Good night.

Why is he leaving all of a sudden?

Is he avoiding me?

Is he really considering

breaking up with me?

What is on his mind?

Zhizhi, are you going out?

-Why is your suitcase--
-I'm heading back to Yihe.

Why are you going back all of a sudden?

I'm going to talk to Jiaxu.

I have something to tell him.

I already booked a plane ticket.

Don't worry about me.

Zhizhi.

Did what we said last night

make you upset?

Is that it?

No.

I understand your concerns.

I know you mean well.

But I think…

I'm a grown-up now.

I'm not a kid anymore.

I am very sure of what I want.

So I want to fight for it.

Zhizhi.

We are both very fond of Xiaoduan.

But we have our concerns.

Your dad and I have lived a long life.

We can see clearly

about a lot of things
and people in this world.

I know you don't trust Duan Jiaxu.

But can you trust me for once?

We'll drive you to the airport.

Hello, Jiaxu.

Zhizhi.

Your brother just told me

that you're coming back today.

Yes, I'm already at the airport.

Okay.

Wait there for me.

Okay.

Sang Zhi.

He did the right thing.

You're too young right now.

This isn't right. Got it?

But I will grow up.

Then let's wait until you grow up.

But when I grow up,

he'll fall for someone else.

This time,

I definitely won't cry.

Zhizhi.

Why didn't you tell me
you were coming back?

What's wrong?

Do you remember

I came to Yihe when I was in 11th grade

to meet up with my online crush?

Actually,

I didn't have an online crush.

I came to Yihe to see you.

I heard from my brother

that you had a girlfriend.

That's why I came to Yihe.

I wanted to see you.

I didn't start liking you

only after I came to Yihe for college.

I lied to you.

I didn't want you to think…

To think that…

What is it?

That I was weird.

That…

This is

the secret I wrote when I was little.

It's inside.

I have a secret.

I don't want to admit it,

but

I seem

to have fallen for him.

Duan Jiaxu.

Before I even knew how to spell your name,

I've already liked you.

DUAN JIAXU

I've liked you for a very long time.

I HAVE A SECRET

I DON'T WANT TO ADMIT IT,
BUT I SEEM TO HAVE FALLEN FOR HIM

DUAN JIAXU

Make a lot of money

and help him pay off his debts.

MAKE A LOT OF MONEY

AND HELP HIM PAY OFF HIS DEBTS.

I am telling you

the secret I wanted to seal away forever.

Can you…

Can you believe

that you are a great person?

Seeing how much

I like you,

can you ignore what people say about you?

Can you be with me forever?

Please?

Are you referring
to the 118-square-meter unit?

It's available for viewing
tomorrow morning, yes?

Okay.

I'll contact you then.

Thank you.

Hello?

Hello? Where are you now?

I'm on my way. I'll be there soon.

How much longer, sir?

Five minutes.

As if I would believe you!

Sang Yan hasn't even picked you up yet!

I'm here already.

Just get here now!

Busted.

Bye.

Bye.