The Best Thing Episode 20 Recap
> The Best Thing Recap
After work, Shen Xifan found He Suye waiting for her at the bus stop outside the Neighborhood. Passersby noticed him waiting for his girlfriend. Shen Xifan questioned why he came to meet her when she already had his door code. He Suye replied that since she said she missed him, he came down early. He then announced that dinner was ready. When Shen Xifan asked what they were having, He Suye made her guess.
She suggested bamboo shoots, and he happily agreed to add it to the menu. They embraced before going home. At home, He Suye cooked for Shen Xifan. Seeing her good appetite, he joked about her support for his cooking. Shen Xifan then shared that she had completed something significant: Yan Heng had moved out of the hotel. She admitted that she had expected a confrontation but was surprisingly calm, realizing she had completely moved on.
He Suye agreed it was a major step. Shen Xifan thanked He Suye for never letting go of her hand, to which he playfully responded that he also gained a girlfriend. She informed him that she needed to update her worried parents after dinner, and He Suye encouraged her to eat more so she wouldn't get hungry later. He also gently corrected her habit of eating rice soaked in soup, advising against it for her stomach's health.
Shen Xifan went home to speak with her parents. Her father acknowledged that Yan Heng was a past chapter, a part of her life's journey, which she had ended gracefully. He was relieved she wasn't upset. Her parents expressed their desire for a formal dinner with He Suye, believing their previous encounter was too chaotic to leave a good impression. Shen Xifan agreed to arrange it.
Later, as Shen Xifan's mother urged her to go for a post-dinner walk instead of lounging, Shen Xifan secretly messaged He Suye for a medical "excuse" to avoid it. While Shen Xifan was out for the walk with her parents, He Suye suddenly appeared, explaining to her parents that Shen Xifan had mentioned they wanted to see him, so he came as soon as he could. Her father promptly extended a dinner invitation.
He Suye added that living in the same neighborhood made it easy for him to visit anytime. Shen Xifan's mother praised He Suye's cooking skills, to his embarrassment. Her parents then tactfully excused themselves to continue their walk, leaving Shen Xifan and He Suye alone. Shen Xifan accused He Suye of orchestrating his appearance, but he contended that her message about walking with her parents was an implicit invitation for him to join them.
Later, while Shen Xifan was with her friends, Xu Xiangya and Lin Yishen, she joyfully declared that she no longer needed Chinese medicine and could indulge in iced drinks. Xu Xiangya then proposed a double date, wanting to formally meet He Suye as Shen Xifan’s "dearest friends." Shen Xifan confirmed He Suye was only available on Sundays, and Xu Xiangya enthusiastically offered to organize all the entertainment and cover all costs. The following Sunday, the four went to a park.
As they walked, Lin Yishen offered to buy drinks and handed his bag to He Suye. Then, Xu Xiangya asked He Suye to take some good photos of her and Shen Xifan with her phone. He Suye confidently agreed, even mentioning adjusting camera settings like white balance and brightness. However, the resulting photos were unflattering, with exaggerated heads and shortened bodies. Shen Xifan and Xu Xiangya quietly commented on how ugly He Suye's social media photos usually were.
He Suye, genuinely believing his photos were good, asked what the problem was. Frustrated with He Suye's photography, Xu Xiangya called Lin Yishen over, whose skills were immediately evident as he directed them into flattering poses. He Suye grumbled good-naturedly, joking that X-rays also count as "shots."
Lin Yishen, handing his belongings to He Suye, expressed sympathy, explaining that he used to be both the "coat rack" and photographer, and was glad to finally have He Suye to share the burden. He also imparted some wisdom: when with a girlfriend, the most beautiful scenery is the girlfriend herself. Later, Shen Xifan taught He Suye a new photography technique: recording a video and then taking screenshots of the best frames, which she found more natural.
He Suye playfully tried to kiss her during the video recording, which Shen Xifan found endearing. When she asked if he was happy, He Suye admitted he was, despite jokingly complaining about his girlfriend's critique of his photography, which Shen Xifan promptly denied. He also noted his happiness at learning a new photo-taking method. Shen Xifan was especially pleased that He Suye got along so well with her best friends.
Lin Yishen later shared the photos, including a picture of He Suye and Shen Xifan kissing. Shen Xifan and He Suye looked through the photos and videos Lin Yishen sent. Delighted, they both set photos from their date as their phone screensavers. Shen Xifan also sent one of their kissing photos to He Suye's Grandpa, who was reportedly envious of their relationship.
Shen Xifan's parents were delighted with the photos and videos, remarking on how sweet the couple looked and recalling He Suye's initial popularity in the Neighborhood chat. Meanwhile, He Suye's colleagues, including Li Jie, teased him, likening his newfound happiness to an "iron tree blooming." He Suye reacted with slight shyness. Later, Liu Grandma informed Shen Xifan of her decision to move out and live with her children and grandchildren abroad.
She credited He Suye’s excellent medical care for her improved health, noting a significant reduction in coughing and a much better mental state. Seeing Shen Xifan and He Suye's happy relationship also prompted her desire to be with her own family. She thanked Shen Xifan for her care and arranged one final meeting with both He Suye and Shen Xifan to give them a gift.
The gift was a painting of Paeonia lactiflora, which she explained is also known as "Jiangli," meaning "about to leave." She conveyed that the painting symbolized her departure while leaving her affection and blessings for their happiness. Upon hanging the painting in He Suye's apartment, He Suye commented that it made the wall feel less empty. After hanging the painting, He Suye went to wash his hands before cooking.
While he was away, Shen Xifan, searching for tools, unexpectedly found the metal ring she had once given him, stored away on his tool shelf. She confronted him, accusing him of deliberately hiding it after previously claiming to have lost it. He Suye, caught off guard, first attempted to explain that he had found it under the sofa and merely "casually" put it away. Shen Xifan, however, wasn't convinced, highlighting the inconsistency of his casual placements.
She then pressed him, asking if he had liked her from the very beginning. He Suye, conceding her point, admitted that he now had a clear reason for having treasured the small item. Playfully, he then countered, suggesting that Shen Xifan was the one who "fished" for him, by presenting the ring to him as if it were a wedding ring. Shen Xifan vehemently denied this, stating she was simply helping him out of a difficult situation.
He Suye maintained that it was a clear hint, and as a man in his thirties, he couldn't resist such an "allure," affirming he had taken the bait. He then decided to keep the ring as a treasured item in a new, more secure place. Hearing his playful yet sincere words, Shen Xifan inwardly conceded that perhaps she had "made a move on him first."
The next morning, as they walked out hand-in-hand, Shen Xifan inquired about a past social media post of He Suye's featuring licorice root steeped in water, asking if it was a suitable herb for her. He Suye provided a detailed explanation of licorice root's medicinal properties, adding that it tasted pleasant, even comparable to bubble tea.
Later, while at the TCM building, Shen Xifan overheard front desk staff discussing He Suye's old licorice root post, implying he had posted it deliberately to attract her attention, and noting her delayed reaction. This made Shen Xifan suspect He Suye had ulterior motives from the beginning. She confronted him, asking if the post was intentional. He Suye denied it, claiming it was a casual post from his Grandpa's house.
However, Shen Xifan mentioned that Lin Yishen had told her otherwise. He Suye then playfully accused her of "fishing" for him, suggesting that she had scrutinized him from head to toe during their first meeting and that she had ulterior motives. Shen Xifan strongly refuted this, reminding him that he was her doctor, checking her pulse, and she had no such intentions, especially since she was still in a relationship with Yan Heng at the time.
She assured him of her loyalty. He Suye then lightheartedly accepted her explanation, saying he was merely jesting. They then enjoyed a spicy hot pot dinner together. After finishing their spicy hot pot, back at He Suye’s apartment, Shen Xifan playfully insisted He Suye wash his hands before she revealed a small box. Inside was a ring she had personally bought for him. She announced that since she had "caught" him, it was her responsibility to him.
She emphasized that the old metal key ring didn't count, and this was a genuine ring. He Suye, expecting a proposal on his ring finger, looked disappointed when she placed it on his middle finger instead. He dramatically complained about getting his hopes up for nothing. Shen Xifan affectionately kissed him, affirming that regardless of the finger, he was "Shen Xifan's man," and she would take responsibility for him for the rest of her life.
Satisfied with her declaration, He Suye then playfully asked for a reward for receiving such a beautiful ring, suggesting a holiday trip together. Shen Xifan initially agreed but then remembered that the upcoming holiday was Qingming Festival, when she had to visit her mother's grave with her Grandpa, though she would return by evening. He Suye, understanding, told her to spend quality time with her Grandpa and that the promised trip could be "owed" to him for a later date.
