The Best of You in My Mind Episode 23 Recap
> The Best of You in My Mind Recap
After his physical rehabilitation, Xu Fang formally resumed his archery training. His coach reminded him to forget past results and start anew, focusing on achieving a perfectly accurate shooting motion rather than the target's bullseye or gold ring. Xu Fang focused, found the right feeling, and executed a perfect release. Meanwhile, at the archery range, Jiang Zheng Xu took the opportunity to teach Nie Yue how to shoot.
He confidently claimed it was easy, but Nie Yue struggled to lift the bow. Jiang Zheng Xu helped her, guiding her aim. With his assistance, Nie Yue successfully hit a ten-point shot, exclaiming her own genius. Later, Jiang Zheng Xu proposed to Nie Yue. He asked if she would mind him marrying into her family, clarifying that it would be an engagement for now until he achieved all his goals, and he would properly marry her afterward.
Nie Yue readily agreed, and Jiang Zheng Xu, visibly flustered, clumsily placed the ring on her finger. At home, Lin Xichi spoke to her dog, Fang Fang, about her brother, Xu Fang, coming back. She told Fang Fang that the "male swan" would return next week, confirming it was Xu Fang. Over a video call, she excitedly got Fang Fang to "dance" for Xu Fang, celebrating his impending return.
A few days later, Lin Xichi arrived home and was astonished to find Xu Fang waiting for her downstairs. She initially thought she was hallucinating until he smiled, confirming his long-awaited return. Overjoyed, she bounced around, speechless, repeatedly gesturing for him to hug her. That evening, with Xu Fang freshly bathed, Lin Xichi felt a mix of shyness and anticipation about sharing a bed. She nervously lay down, feigning sleep with eyes closed and limbs stiff.
To her surprise, Xu Fang chose to sleep on the floor. Feeling agitated by this unexpected turn, Lin Xichi eventually rolled off the bed and settled beside him. The next morning, Xu Fang woke up and began tidying the messy table, where he discovered Lin Xichi's open diary.
He read entries detailing her loneliness and longing, including a note from June 20th about his departure, an entry from July 31st about working at the hospital and no one believing she had a boyfriend, and one from September 1st expressing her continued thoughts of him despite being alone. Later that day, Xu Fang visited Coach Liu at the archery range. The coach helped him refine his shooting posture, reminding him to master the basics before deviating.
Coach Liu then introduced Xu Fang, the university's famous athlete and national champion, to a new group of team members, who were eager for him to demonstrate his skills. Xu Fang politely declined, explaining he was tired from his rehabilitation training. Coach Liu encouraged Xu Fang, emphasizing that his upcoming competition would be a true test against himself. After his training, Xu Fang went to pick up Lin Xichi from the hospital.
He playfully introduced himself to her colleagues as her "legendary boyfriend," much to their delight. As they walked home, Lin Xichi spotted their friends at a bustling street food stall near the university. They joined Nie Yue, Jiang Zheng Xu, and Xin Zi Dan at a table.
Nie Yue clarified that she and Jiang Zheng Xu were only engaged, not yet married, and explained that they hadn't invited Lin Xichi to the engagement because Xu Fang wasn't there, and they didn't want her to feel sad or jealous. Xu Fang then revealed that the gathering was his idea, fulfilling Lin Xichi's long-held wish to eat with everyone at the university's street food stalls.
During the meal, the conversation turned to Lin Xichi's long wait for Xu Fang and the potential for long-distance separation if he were to become a professional athlete, like during her past emergencies when he couldn't be there. The friends then raised a toast to Xu Fang. Later, Xu Fang fulfilled another of Lin Xichi's wishes by booking an entire cinema hall for them. They joked and enjoyed the private setting.
As they walked near the Civil Affairs Bureau, Lin Xichi, noting Jiang Zheng Xu and Nie Yue's engagement, asked Xu Fang when he planned to marry her. He deflected, playfully suggesting she was too young and beautiful with a bright future. Lin Xichi became upset, reminding him they had known each other their entire lives, dated for years, and she had waited over a year for him. She accused him of making it sound like "she" was proposing.
Xu Fang quickly apologized and appeased her, promising to prove himself. Lin Xichi, though still a little miffed, seemed to soften, agreeing to "consider it" based on his future actions. To further cheer her up, Xu Fang offered to cook her dinner, a rare treat she couldn't refuse. The happy reunion, however, was brief. Xu Fang informed Lin Xichi that Coach Liu had secured him a spot in the upcoming National Archery Championships in Beijing.
This competition offered him a chance to join the national team if he performed well. Lin Xichi asked if he truly had to go, and Xu Fang explained it was his final opportunity to gauge the effectiveness of his past year's training. At dawn, Xu Fang quietly kissed the still-sleeping Lin Xichi goodbye. He left a message for Fang Fang to take care of his sister and slipped out.
Lin Xichi, hearing the door close, quickly rose and rushed to the airport, reflecting on how she had grown and felt a new strength within her. She resolved to become her best self to match Xu Fang. Taking the fastest flight to Beijing, she arrived at the National Archery Championships venue.
Soon after, Lin Xi Geng and He Liyang arrived, explaining that Nie Yue insisted they come, as it would be difficult to see Xu Fang compete if he joined the national team. Jiang Zheng Xu and Nie Yue also arrived, with Jiang Zheng Xu complaining about their rush to the airport. As everyone gathered, the announcer welcomed the crowd to the National Archery Championships, introducing the nation's top archers as they prepared for the first qualifying round.
