The Best of You in My Mind Episode 19 Recap
> The Best of You in My Mind Recap
Lin Xichi’s spirits lifted instantly when she finally received a call from Xu Fang after days of silence. She eagerly agreed to meet him, hurrying to their rendezvous point, oblivious to the heavy heart Xu Fang carried. Upon their meeting, Xu Fang revealed his plan to train abroad for a period, causing Lin Xichi’s smile to falter and then freeze.
Distraught, she questioned why he would go abroad, asking if she was bothering him, and accusing him of avoiding her, just like her mother. She lashed out, claiming he was like her mother, always thinking only of himself and leaving whenever he pleased. She confessed she never imagined being left out of his future plans, especially when she needed him most, and defiantly declared that she did not need his pity and was prepared for a breakup.
Later, Xu Fang informed his coach of his decision not to go abroad. When asked if Lin Xichi was the reason, Xu Fang confirmed it, explaining that her mother’s departure had left her with deep-seated abandonment issues, making it hard for her to believe that those who leave might return. He feared that if he insisted on going, it would inevitably lead to their separation.
Despite his coach’s arguments that he should not sacrifice his own future and years of training, Xu Fang remained resolute in his decision, apologizing to his coach for the trouble. Meanwhile, Nie Yue spoke with Lin Xichi, who confirmed her relationship with Xu Fang was in serious jeopardy, likely heading towards a breakup because he had excluded her from his plans. Nie Yue urged her to consider the long-term future, not just the present.
He shared his own realization after Lin Xichi’s recent accident: her health and happiness were paramount, regardless of whether she was with him or where she was. He posited that true love was about fulfilling another’s dreams, not possessing them. Lin Xichi, however, stubbornly retorted that she wanted Xu Fang by her side, even if he were sick, refusing to be separated from him.
Alone afterward, she admitted to herself that Nie Yue’s words were correct, regretting her selfish desire for Xu Fang to stay despite his illness. Shortly after, the coach found Lin Xichi and took her to see Xu Fang’s target. He revealed that Xu Fang had been suffering from "target panic" for some time, a condition that effectively ends an archer's career, and that no one, including Lin Xichi, knew about it.
The coach explained that Xu Fang’s condition had led to his underperformance in a recent team event and a falling out with his teammates, attributing his secrecy to his pride as an athlete. He then disclosed that he had offered Xu Fang a chance for recovery training abroad, his only opportunity, but Xu Fang had refused, stating he didn't want to leave Lin Xichi alone.
Overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow, Lin Xichi broke down, blaming herself for her selfishness and for doubting Xu Fang when he needed her most. The coach comforted her, assuring her that she was the only one who could help Xu Fang recover. The next morning, Lin Xichi made an effort to dress up, choosing an A-line dress she hoped would make her look less "like a bucket," and went to Xu Fang's dorm.
She playfully pretended to have amnesia about their argument, jokingly calling him "Dad" and insisting he treat her to a meal. They ended up at a cafe where they discovered Jiang Zheng Xu working. Lin Xichi learned from Xu Fang that Jiang Zheng Xu had stopped practicing archery after Xu Fang had quit the team.
Lin Xichi approached Jiang Zheng Xu and urged him to talk, which he reluctantly agreed to, admitting he was only doing it because she had asked. She made it clear she didn't want him to see Xu Fang in a "weak state." Jiang Zheng Xu revealed his family’s dire financial situation: his father had fallen ill, and his business partner had absconded with all their money. Debt collectors had terrorized their home, forcing his mother to move.
As the sole man of the house, he realized he could no longer afford to pour money into archery. He had planned to make the National College Archery Invitational his final competition, a "perfect ending" to his career before graduation. He bitterly blamed Xu Fang for ruining his meticulously planned farewell, sarcastically calling him his "best brother."
Xu Fang suggested he could still train as an amateur, but Jiang Zheng Xu countered that he was not like Xu Fang; he had reached his "ceiling" and would never be an individual champion. He recalled always losing to Xu Fang in archery as a child but never feeling jealous, only happy for him.
Jiang Zheng Xu confided that his true dream wasn't to win titles but to participate in every major competition—the World Championships, the World Cup, even the Olympics. For him, merely participating would mean he was "awesome" and was "winning," a belief that had driven him. Since his own dream could no longer come true, he implored Xu Fang, whom he considered a natural-born athlete with unparalleled skill, to fulfill it for him.
Xu Fang solemnly promised to do so, accepting the heavy responsibility. Lin Xichi approached Xu Fang as he spoke with Jiang Zheng Xu, assuring him that she would always be by his side. They embraced, and she apologized for not knowing about his illness. Recalling his past advice about facing pain, she told him to go abroad to cure his target panic, promising to wait for his return.
Xu Fang then confirmed to his coach that he would leave after the graduation ceremony, planning to simultaneously recover and refine his skills. His coach expressed excitement for his return, anticipating his future dominance in the sport.
As Xu Fang prepared for his departure, packing his belongings at home, his father offered practical advice for his time abroad: to eat and rest well, to return if he missed them, to bring warm clothes, and to avoid staying up late on the computer. His father expressed pride in Xu Fang’s dedication to archery, a hobby that had initially just been meant for exercise. They shared a heartfelt hug before Xu Fang left for his graduation ceremony.
Back home alone, Lin Xichi discovered a stack of old letters on a table. She began to read them, realizing they were from her parents, Zheng Fang Fang and Chang Ge. In the letters, her mother, a surgeon, explained the demands of her work and her hope that her children would one day understand her choices, questioning if she and Chang Ge could have stayed together if their life priorities had been different.
Her father’s letters expressed longing for her mother’s return, particularly for Lin Xichi's sake, and questioned why she chose a career so far from her family, believing their problems could be solved if they were together. He pondered if leaving their innocent children was truly the best approach. Later, Lin Xichi's father returned home, surprised to find her reading the letters.
He explained that he had intended to show them to her when she was older, never meaning to hide them, and reiterated that despite the divorce, his children were always his priority. Lin Xichi, finally understanding his sacrifices, tearfully apologized for having blamed him for so many years for having to be both a father and a mother. She told him she had grown up.
Her father then mentioned Xu Fang’s upcoming departure, praising him as a good boy, though adding that no one was truly good enough for his daughter. Lin Xichi, with a faint smile, agreed.
