I don't think so, it's more about that time was hard in his life , but SY, SZ and even their parents supported…
I've just scan through the novel again. I think his feelings didn't hit until the incident where that nut threw the cup of hot tea at DJS and SZ defended him. After when she was helping him to wipe the tea off.
After reading the novel. I feel like DJS had some feelings towards SZ before they reunited again. Why else would he have a picture of them taken at his graduation displayed in his house.
Looking at the previews. I think all the issues regarding TT parentage will get sorted in the next 2 episodes. Then covid will hit. I think RTZ will leave to go back to that village alone to help. TT will reunite with RTZ at that village, as it's 'their village, their happy place'
https://youtu.be/gI5vhiWjGKQ
goodbye sun toutou, ren tianzhen š