The Best of You in My Mind Episode 11 Recap
> The Best of You in My Mind Recap
Xu Fang's friend tried to convince him to make a move on Lin Xichi, emphasizing that the upcoming winter training would separate them, but Luo City was his "home advantage" where Ye Shaowen wouldn't interfere. Xu Fang, however, explained that he couldn't go back due to the training.
He then practiced how he would tell Lin Xichi about his departure, reminding himself to buy her a ticket and instructing her to avoid sleeping past her station, talking to strangers, or drinking too much water. His driver then picked him up, and Xu Fang wished them a Happy New Year before leaving for his winter training.
Meanwhile, Xin Zi Dan approached Xu Fang, claiming Lin Xichi had asked her to go home with him since Lin Xichi herself wasn't returning to Luo City for the holidays. Xu Fang, pausing, said he'd ask Lin Xichi directly. He then called Lin Xichi, who confirmed she would be staying in Rong City to work at a pet shop.
During their call, Lin Xichi received another call from Senior Ye, who invited her to see fireworks for New Year's, which she accepted. Xu Fang ended his call abruptly, seemingly upset. Xin Zi Dan wished him happy holidays, but he walked away without a response. At the pet shop where Lin Xichi worked, Zheng Fang Fang and Lin Chang Ge, Lin Xichi's parents, arrived.
Zheng Fang Fang was highly critical of the shop's operations, pointing out unsecured dogs and water on the floor, questioning how it could aim to be the best pet shop in Rong City. Lin Xichi explained that the manager was out and another staff member was on sick leave. Zheng Fang Fang then pulled Lin Xichi aside to inform her of a sudden business trip, canceling their New Year plans together.
Lin Xichi was heartbroken, asking if she truly couldn't spend the New Year with her mother, and expressed feeling unneeded and inadequate. Back at the dorm, Lin Xichi talked to Xu Fang, who was packing for winter training. She mentioned Nie Yue hadn't told her about it and lamented feeling increasingly distant from the archery team. Later, Lin Xichi found her mug broken, which deeply upset her, making her wonder if everyone hated her.
Shortly after, Xin Zi Dan confronted Xu Fang, still pressing for a relationship with him, suggesting she wanted a boyfriend like Senior Ye. Xu Fang's response, implying Lin Xichi would be a better match for someone, made it clear he wasn't interested, crushing Xin Zi Dan's hopes. Devastated, Lin Xichi went to her mother's office. There, she saw a photo of Zheng Fang Fang with a man and a young girl.
Lin Xichi tearfully confronted her mother, asking if she had divorced her father and when. Zheng Fang Fang admitted it happened ten years ago. Lin Xichi, reeling from the betrayal, cried that her mother had lied to her for years, telling her she was away for work while having a new family. She expressed how her biggest wish had always been to live with her mother, and how she had waited for her to return.
Zheng Fang Fang tried to explain, but Lin Xichi was inconsolable, asking if she and Lin Xi Geng weren't good enough. She clutched a childhood birthday gift her mother had given her, recalling how her front teeth fell out the day her mother left. Lin Chang Ge called Xu Fang, distraught, saying Lin Xichi was missing and not answering her phone.
Xu Fang immediately promised to find her and asked his coach for a leave from winter training, explaining he had "lost something dear to him." He frantically searched for Lin Xichi, calling out her name. Lin Xichi, meanwhile, wandered the city alone, deeply distressed, pausing to watch a mother and child, which only amplified her pain. When Xu Fang called her, she hesitated but eventually answered.
Xu Fang finally found Lin Xichi, who was crying uncontrollably, calling out for her mother not to leave. Drunk and overwhelmed, Lin Xichi tearfully confessed to Xu Fang that "they bullied me," explaining that someone broke her mug and how her roommates disliked her working at the pet shop, suggesting she date a "fool" even though that "fool is a good person."
She then revealed the painful truth of her parents' divorce ten years ago, how they had pretended to be in love, and how she felt like "the world's biggest fool," believing no one wanted her and she was "not needed." Xu Fang gently reassured her, saying, "Don't you still have me?" Lin Xichi, comforted, replied, "Yes, I still have Fang Fang."
Lin Xichi refused to go back to school, so Xu Fang took her to a nearby hotel, booking two separate rooms. He carried the heavily intoxicated Lin Xichi to her room. As she tried to take a bath, she started to undress, but Xu Fang carefully wrapped her in a blanket. He made sure she was settled, told her his room was directly opposite hers, and instructed her to call if she needed anything. He then left, lingering for a moment at her door, ensuring her safety and privacy.
