Hidden Love is one of the most popular C-dramas that came out in 2023. The drama features prominent actors Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan in the leading roles. It is an adaptation of the web novel “Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It” by Zhu Yi. The drama tells the story of Sang Zhi (Zhao Lusi), who falls in love with her elder brother’s friend, Duan Jia Xu (Chen Zheyuan). They lose contact over the years. But their fate brings them close after Sang Zhi decides to go to the university in the same city as him. Even though the duo has an age gap of five years, they develop a bond as they continue to interact. They end up falling in love and start dating.
In the final episode of Hidden Love, Jia Xu meets his friends at a bar. Sang Zhi’s brother, Sang Yan (Victor Ma), is also present there. Jia Xu tells him he wishes to meet his parents and opens up about his relationship with Sang Zhi. Sang Yan thinks his sister is still quite young and Jia Xu should take things slow. Jia Xu constantly pulls his leg by calling him his brother-in-law.
Hidden Love ending: Do Zhao Lusi & Chen Zheyuan end up getting married?
The next day, Jia Xu visits Sang Zhi’s parents to talk so they can reconsider their decision. Jia Xu knows why they are hesitant, given his complicated family history. He tells them that the issue with his father has been settled now and that he is ready to work hard to build a beautiful future for himself and Sang Zhi. Furthermore, he tries to convince them by saying that even though he doesn’t have a lot in his possession, he is ready to give his everything to Sang Zhi.
Sang Zhi’s parents assure him by saying that they care about nothing but their daughter’s happiness and that they can see how sincere Jia Xu is. They finally give the couple their blessings.
Sang Zhi, slowly nearing her graduation, bags first place at a design competition at her university. Jia Xu is present there to hand over the prestigious award. He proudly announces her name and introduces her as his girlfriend to the crowd.
After the ceremony, Sang Zhi and Jia Xu, along with her friends, go to a beach to celebrate and savor the joyous moments. They make arrangements and decorate the beach for her friend’s secret proposal. But what Sang Zhi does not know is that Jia Xu has secretly planned this with her friends to propose to her.
Jia Xu expresses how much he loves her and promises to stay by her side for a lifetime. He opens up about how he liked her for a long time but did not know how to tell her about his feelings. He gets down on one knee and asks her to marry him. She says yes, and the couple share a heartfelt kiss.
Sang Zhi and Jia Xu’s story started when he was 22 years old. Sang Zhi feels their love has come full circle as he proposed to her when she turned 22.
Hidden Love is available for streaming on Youku and Netflix.
