Absolutely! Here's Episode 3 of Hidden Love transformed into a
Chapter 3 — The Doll, the Fall, and a Quiet Secret
The afternoon sun slanted golden through the restaurant's front windows as the group finished their hot-pot meal. Qian Fei, ever the chatterbox, turned to Sang Zhi and the others, teasing, "Why haven't we gotten anyone's number? I feel like the 'backup' friend here."
A flicker of warmth pooled in Sang Zhi's chest as she watched Duan Jiaxu move to retrieve the car keys. In that moment, she recalled again how he had gently kept her from embarrassment during her period episode—an unspoken kindness that made her wonder whether his small but vigilant actions were intentional ways to protect her feelings.
Meanwhile, Qian Fei pulled her toward a bright, blinking claw machine. "Come on, I'll teach you," she whispered excitedly. As Sang Zhi hesitated, Duan Jiaxu appeared beside her, silently asserting himself with quiet confidence. He expertly guided her hand, showing her how to maneuver the claw. Moments later, the arm descended and—against all odds—returned with a delicate white plush doll.
"Don't cry anymore," he murmured, pressing the soft toy into her hands.
Sang Zhi felt something shift inside her—the doll was more than a prize; it was a symbol of his care. On impulse, she offered him a candy in thanks.
"Thank you," she said softly. His smile glowed brighter than any stage spotlight.
When it came time to go home, Duan Jiaxu offered to walk her. Recalling the day he had played her "fake brother" at the parent–teacher meeting, Sang Zhi's throat tightened. He had joked he'd lecture her, but when she threatened to tell on him, he relented and walked her home, gifting her a new lightbulb for her father in the process. She thought, He's always been kinder to me than my real brother.
A few days later found Sang Zhi and Yin Zhenru at a cozy dessert café. To her surprise—and delight—Duan Jiaxu was behind the counter, working part-time. When Sang Zhi and Zhenru entered, he greeted them with a warm, easy smile.
Zhenru, whose eyes couldn't stop twinkling, leaned in and whispered, "You're staring again."
Caught, Sang Zhi flushed. Jiaxu caught the moment, laughed softly—and then refused to accept payment, insisting the dessert was on him.
As they left, Sang Zhi noticed Jiaxu's boss offering him half a month's salary upfront—an unusual gesture. She wondered if he was juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. A pang of guilt pricked her chest, and impulsively, she returned to the table, pressing a few bills into his hand and rushing off before he could protest.
Later that evening, Sang Zhi found herself at Fu Zhengchu's birthday party. Her heart fluttered uncomfortably when he began to hint at his feelings for her—hopeful, emotional. She didn't know how to reply, turned away to leave, and was swiftly followed by Duan Jiaxu. His calm presence turned the moment: Fu Zhengchu withdrew quietly, disappointed.
As they walked home, Jiaxu spoke quietly: "It's okay to be admired. But you should learn to say no—gently, but clearly."
He placed the money she'd slipped onto the table back in her hand. "You don't have to help me," he said. She shook her head, earnest and sincere: "I only wanted to help, like I would for my brother." He allowed a small smile. "I'm not poor. And if I ever truly need it… maybe I'll borrow from you," he teased, easing her worry.
Just a few days later, at a school assembly, Sang Zhi's teacher informed her she'd be doing high jump instead of record keeping—a video game of panic for her. Her knees protested at the mention, but the teacher insisted it was good for strengthening. Zhenru passed her by coldly in the halls.
When the day of the high jump arrived, Sang Yan and Duan Jiaxu were there, judging the event. Sang Yan teased her about her height, while Jiaxu handed her a cap to shield from the sun. In that shade, a brief solace settled over Sang Zhi.
Her first jumps were awkward, and on her final attempt, she overreached—stepping wrong, twisting her ankle, and crashing down. Agony flared through her body. Sang Yan immediately scooped her up onto his back and carried her to the clinic, where Teacher Chen recognized Jiaxu. Almost in reflex, Sang Zhi blurted, "He's my father," much to Sang Yan's exasperation.
In the clinic, Duan Jiaxu knelt by her, gently disinfecting and wrapping her swollen ankle. Sang Zhi felt warmth flood her cheeks as she noticed how apprehensive her brother had looked when she'd fallen—but Jiaxu remained calm, composed.
As she lingered in the quiet, she caught another girl who had also fallen—Jiaxu was just as gentle with her. A thrum of jealousy surprised her. Was she not special? The thought passed like a shadow.
Days later, still with the sprain, Sang Zhi received a call from Sang Yan reminding her that Jiaxu would pick her up after school. She sighed—ever hopeful, yet equally embarrassed.
That evening, she snuck out with a friend who had arranged a day off so she could skip school. Jiaxu unexpectedly showed up with a drink—her friend teasing that he still cared. In that fleeting moment, Sang Zhi's heart fluttered: he was always there, whether or not she deserved it.
End of Chapter 3