The Best Thing Episode 25 Recap
> The Best Thing Recap
He Suye was diligently preparing lesson plans, as the principal had asked him to create several course options for his new teaching role next semester. He mused about how busy he would be with his hospital duties, Saturday clinic hours, research, and now teaching. Despite his packed schedule, he expressed his hope of saving up annual leave to visit Shen Xifan when she goes abroad for her studies.
Shen Xifan, teasingly calling him "Teacher He" for his constant reminders about her visa application, gave him a unique water pen. He Suye noted that pens were a valuable commodity in a hospital and that this one was so distinct it would help him track down who often "borrowed" his. Meanwhile, Shen Xifan received a booking request during her lunch break for a secluded villa. The client was a popular celebrity, the very actor Xu Xiangya admired.
When the star arrived at the hotel, the front desk attendant, Ding Wei, was visibly thrilled and, completely star-struck, personally handled the check-in. That evening, Shen Xifan and Xu Xiangya enthusiastically discussed the celebrity's drama while watching it. He Suye and Lin Yishen, feeling sidelined by their girlfriends' admiration for another man, tried to boost each other's spirits.
A slightly jealous He Suye later studied his "love rival" by watching the drama alone and deliberately praised the female lead's beauty, much to Shen Xifan's playful annoyance. Inspired by a romantic scene in the drama, He Suye attempted to replicate it, but Shen Xifan did not catch on, leaving him embarrassed. The next day, the celebrity checked out, and Ding Wei was once again captivated by his signature. Shen Xifan began organizing documents for her overseas study visa.
While tidying her mother's drawer, she discovered a bank card designated for her study abroad expenses, deeply touched by her parents' foresight and support. In contrast, Shen's mother returned from her physical examination in low spirits. Her breast examination results were not satisfactory, but she intentionally concealed this, hiding the report in the kitchen and dismissing Shen Xifan's inquiries about showing the results to He Suye. Later, Shen's mother secretly went to the hospital to see He Suye.
She showed him the report, expressing concern about the doctor's troubled expression during the ultrasound. He Suye reviewed the report and informed her that further examination was necessary. Though Shen's mother tried to downplay the severity, He Suye explained that the tests indicated a high probability of a tumor, requiring a biopsy to determine if it was benign or malignant.
He presented two options: a needle biopsy or a surgical biopsy, recommending the latter as it would allow for immediate removal of the lump and a rapid pathology test, avoiding a second procedure. Feeling overwhelmed, Shen's mother trusted He Suye's judgment and agreed. He Suye advised her to inform her husband and daughter, as family support would be crucial.
However, Shen's mother insisted on keeping it a secret from Shen Xifan until the pathology report was conclusive, fearing her daughter would worry unnecessarily. Moved by her trust, He Suye reluctantly promised to keep her secret. When Shen's father learned about his wife's tumor, he was heartbroken. To maintain the secret from Shen Xifan, he concocted a story that Shen's mother's workplace was sending her on a training trip to a neighboring city.
He rearranged his teaching schedule to accompany her, a deception Shen Xifan did not suspect. The following morning, Shen's parents were admitted to the hospital. He Suye introduced Director Zhou, the lead surgeon, who outlined the surgical plan and presented the informed consent form for Shen's father to sign. Shen's mother also mentioned occasionally feeling discomfort in her armpit.
The parents expressed their deep gratitude to He Suye and asked him to ensure Shen Xifan felt cared for during their absence. On the day of the surgery, Shen's father waited anxiously outside the operating room while He Suye sat on a nearby bench, reminded of the time he waited during his own mother's surgery. Director Zhou emerged with the rapid pathology results: the tumor was malignant but, fortunately, had not metastasized to the lymph nodes.
To prevent any future spread, the surgical area needed to be extended. He presented Shen's father with a choice between breast-conserving surgery and a full mastectomy. After a moment of contemplation and a glance at He Suye, Shen's father opted for breast-conserving surgery.
Later, He Suye went to Shen's mother's bedside, comforting her and assuring her that the cancer was in its early stages and he would ensure she received the best possible treatment, including a traditional Chinese medicine prescription for recovery. He also explained that the full pathology report would take about two weeks, after which a follow-up treatment plan, possibly including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, would be determined.
Later, Shen Xifan felt a bit put out because her parents hadn't responded to her messages. He Suye offered a plausible excuse, calming her suspicions. Unbeknownst to Shen Xifan, Li Jie overheard a nurse at the hospital discussing her mother's hospitalization for a "removal surgery," noting Shen Xifan's absence. Li Jie approached He Suye, who explained Shen's mother's request for secrecy.
Li Jie, however, argued strongly that Shen Xifan, as her mother’s daughter, had a right to know and would be deeply hurt and regretful if she were kept in the dark about such a serious illness. He Suye listened in silence, clearly conflicted by the moral dilemma.
