The Best Thing Episode 16 Recap
> The Best Thing Recap
After the New Year holiday, the hotel staff returned for their first morning meeting. Shen Xifan noticed an unusual atmosphere between Lin Yishen and Xu Xiangya, different from their usual playful antagonism. She observed them arguing about Lin Yishen drinking bubble tea, with Xu Xiangya warning him about gaining weight, which he quickly retorted was none of her concern.
Shen Xifan attempted to understand the situation, but Xu Xiangya, visibly upset, walked away after Lin Yishen offered her a gift from his parents and asked her not to be angry. Shen Xifan then urged Lin Yishen to go after Xu Xiangya. Later, a colleague inquired about the two, but Shen Xifan dismissed it, stating they were always like that. Meanwhile, Professor Yu met with Fang Kexin at the hospital.
He confirmed that Fang Kexin would complete her master's degree under his supervision and offered to arrange for Director Zhao from the gynecology department to become her doctoral supervisor, facilitating a transfer to that specialty. Professor Yu expressed his approval for Fang Kexin's clear goals before her doctoral studies and then departed for another meeting. He Suye then asked Fang Kexin if she had finalized her decision to transfer to gynecology.
Fang Kexin confirmed, explaining that she had considered it for a long time, felt oncology was too depressing, and wished to research women's health. He Suye agreed that this new direction suited her well. Fang Kexin thanked He Suye for his mentorship during her internship over the past two years, and he replied that it was simply his duty. Later, Shen Xifan confronted Lin Yishen and Xu Xiangya with a photo, demanding an explanation.
They finally confessed to being in a relationship. A flashback revealed their confession happened at the airport when Lin Yishen was seeing Xu Xiangya off. After a call from his mother arranging a blind date, Lin Yishen openly declared his feelings for Xu Xiangya, stating that he liked her and wanted to be together.
He emphasized that being just friends was no longer an option, and if they were to break up, he would resign and return to his hometown to avoid bothering her. Xu Xiangya responded by kissing him. Back in the present, Shen Xifan expressed her annoyance at being kept in the dark.
Xu Xiangya explained that they had wanted to keep their relationship private from colleagues, finding it amusing to fool Shen Xifan, and had planned to tell her after the morning meeting. She shared her belief that if two people have feelings for each other, they should pursue a relationship to avoid future regrets, even if it might lead to a breakup.
Xu Xiangya then revealed her plan to resign around the same time Shen Xifan leaves for her studies, to seek a new career path and avoid an office romance. Lin Yishen added that he would remain at the hotel, allowing them to potentially be colleagues again if Shen Xifan returned after her studies. Xu Xiangya also subtly encouraged Shen Xifan to pursue her own romantic interests. Later, He Suye messaged Shen Xifan, asking about her "homework" for medicinal food recipes.
Shen Xifan explained that her father usually cooked, but hadn't today, so she had no "homework." He Suye replied that he was "still looking forward to seeing her," which made Shen Xifan's heart flutter, but she couldn't reply immediately due to work. That evening, Shen Xifan received two photos from He Suye—one of empty beer bottles and another of the view outside her neighborhood. She found He Suye on a bench, seemingly drunk, surrounded by bottles.
He Suye, feigning inebriation, scolded her for being late and for making him drink all the alcohol alone while waiting for her. He then called her a "fickle woman," accusing her of "hooking him" only to "release him" irresponsibly. He questioned why she hadn't eaten the red beans he gave her or come for a follow-up, wondering aloud what kind of fish would spit red beans back at the angler.
Feeling helpless, Shen Xifan tried to explain she had been at a group dinner and hadn't had a chance to consume the red beans or schedule a follow-up, and denied "hooking" him. He Suye reiterated that she had indeed hooked him. Shen Xifan then thanked him for liking her and decided to take him home, reminding him that drinking in cold weather could lead to a cold.
Still acting drunk, He Suye insisted that since she had "hooked" him, she must take responsibility and not abandon him, to which Shen Xifan agreed. She helped the "heavy" He Suye back to his apartment, where he gave her the door code, telling her not to look, before wishing her good night. Once the door closed, He Suye's eyes cleared, revealing he had not been drunk at all. Shen Xifan, disturbed by his words, was left with a troubled mind.
The following morning, after He Suye woke up, Shen Xifan's father prepared Red bean and crucian carp soup. Recalling He Suye's "fishing" and "spitting red beans" comments, Shen Xifan subtly smiled. She took a picture of the soup and sent it to He Suye as her "homework." He Suye repeatedly looked at the photo, pleased, and wondered if she had sent it on purpose.
His grandfather, Professor Yu, then playfully teased He Suye for acting cute and appearing embarrassed, to which He Suye replied that his grandfather wouldn't understand. While He Suye was hoping Shen Xifan would move past her old relationship wound concerning Yan Heng, Yan Heng unexpectedly checked into the hotel.
During a staff meeting, Manager Cheng Dong announced the arrival of Zhongyu Tech's team, highlighting that their director, Yan Heng, the accomplished younger son of Zhongyu Technology's CEO, Mr. Yan, would be staying. Manager Cheng emphasized the necessity of providing exceptional service to secure this significant client. Shen Xifan was visibly shocked and felt conflicted, but quickly had to focus on her work. Upon Yan Heng's arrival, Lin Yishen greeted him, indicating they were old acquaintances.
Yan Heng's assistant discreetly informed Manager Cheng that Yan Heng preferred not to be addressed as "Young Mr. Yan," for which Manager Cheng promptly apologized and assured the assistant he would relay the message to his staff. Later, in the villa, Yan Heng directly asked about Shen Xifan's whereabouts, but Lin Yishen vaguely replied that Manager Shen was responsible for all hotel guest matters and wouldn't be able to provide specific care.
Soon after, Yan Heng messaged Shen Xifan, saying he would be back after Spring Festival and missed her, suggesting they have a meal. In the hotel restaurant, Xu Xiangya served Yan Heng a drink. When he asked about Shen Xifan, Xu Xiangya sarcastically told him Shen Xifan was "at work" and that he was blocked, suggesting he search the large hotel himself.
Yan Heng accused the staff of helping Shen Xifan hide, but Xu Xiangya retorted that he was the one who disappeared during their breakup and now, without warning, wanted to reconcile, questioning his intentions and asserting that Shen Xifan was now happy and had a new boyfriend. Yan Heng asked if she indeed had a new boyfriend, to which Xu Xiangya replied it was none of his business.
Manager Cheng overheard part of this interaction and reprimanded Xu Xiangya for violating service standards, deducting her bonus and scheduling a public criticism. Later, Manager Cheng saw Yan Heng waiting in the lobby with a large bouquet of roses, looking for Shen Xifan. He quickly called Shen Xifan, ordering her to come to the lobby immediately. Shen Xifan reluctantly approached Yan Heng and accepted the roses, noticed by a front desk employee who recognized Yan Heng as her ex-boyfriend.
Yan Heng suggested they go to his room to talk, but Shen Xifan firmly declined, wanting to speak elsewhere. A flashback showed their breakup, with Yan Heng accusing Shen Xifan of being selfish and uncaring, stating he was tired of being her boyfriend. Back in the present, Yan Heng tried to justify his past behavior by citing overwhelming work stress, including patent applications, company acquisition, and dealing with his father.
He expressed deep regret and proposed reconciliation, saying their seven-year relationship shouldn't end that way. Shen Xifan corrected him, emphasizing it was a breakup, not just an argument. When he tried to touch her, she angrily rejected his advances, telling him to "go away," and threw the roses at him. In the break room, a distraught Shen Xifan was consoled by Xu Xiangya and Lin Yishen.
She expressed her emotional turmoil, questioning her significance to Yan Heng and lamenting her inability to articulate the many angry words she had prepared when he stood before her. They reassured her and strongly advised her against reconciling with him. Soon, news of the incident spread throughout the hotel, becoming widespread gossip among female staff. Some speculated that Shen Xifan was being overly dramatic and unappreciative of a wealthy suitor like Yan Heng.
Manager Cheng subsequently convened a meeting, where he publicly criticized Shen Xifan for allowing her personal entanglement with a guest to negatively impact the hotel's operations, service reputation, and overall standing. He announced that her monthly bonus would be deducted and that she would be used as a cautionary tale to emphasize professional conduct.
Furthermore, he advised Shen Xifan to resolve her issues with Yan Heng promptly and to coordinate with others to cover her upcoming shifts, especially night shifts, to prevent further complications, to which she agreed. Later, He Suye sent a message to Shen Xifan, first asking "No homework submission today?" and then, after a pause, a second message "Is she asleep? Has work been tough lately again?" expressing concern for her.
