The Best Thing Episode 8 Recap
> The Best Thing Recap
He Suye, after purchasing Chinese medicinal herbs, encountered Shen Xifan on his way home. He invited her to his place to taste some medicinal food he planned to prepare. Feeling a little nervous and reserved, Shen Xifan arrived at his home, observing his living space while sipping the five-flavor fruit water he personally brewed. He Suye asked her to sit for a while as he busied himself in the kitchen, prompting Shen Xifan to curiously approach and watch him cook.
At the dinner table, Shen Xifan brought up her hotel's plan to launch a TCM-themed wellness journey, which would involve medicinal cuisine and require a consultant. She hoped He Suye would consider taking on the role. He Suye agreed to try, but noted that he needed to file it with the hospital and review her detailed proposal first.
He explained his work schedule: he's at the TCM hospital Monday to Friday, a clinic on Saturdays, leaving only Sundays available, which Shen Xifan assured him they could accommodate. He Suye also advised against using terms like "TCM specialty" in advertising for the restaurant to avoid complications related to medicinal claims, suggesting "Chinese herbal wellness" with a focus on gentle health care instead. After dinner, He Suye walked Shen Xifan home.
Feeling she owed him for cooking, Shen Xifan promised to treat him to a meal next time. Back home, Shen Xifan eagerly began working on the proposal. Realizing she needed He Suye's professional biography, she logged onto the hospital's website to look it up. She discovered He Suye was not only a TCM doctor but also held a Ph. D. and possessed an impressive, distinguished resume.
As she reflected on her earlier embarrassment about having once considered changing his medical formula, He Suye called her via WeChat. He inquired about the proposal's progress, offering to arrange for two graduate students to assist, then gently urged her to get some rest and not work late. Meanwhile, He Suye's young patient, Zhao Ze, had become quite attached to him, following him persistently whether he was treating patients or eating meals.
Zhao Ze's constant presence was an attempt to subtly set up He Suye with his mother, which didn't go unnoticed by Fang Kexin. He Suye learned that Zhao Ze's father had passed away when he was in kindergarten, and Zhao Ze saw He Suye as a father figure, often calling him "Dad." Feeling sympathy for the child's struggles at such a young age, He Suye did not correct the boy's affectionate address.
At the hotel, the leadership was highly satisfied with the proposed plan for the TCM wellness journey and instructed Shen Xifan to expedite the contract signing with He Suye. Colleagues, seeing He Suye's profile, immediately expressed interest in being introduced to him. However, upon noticing Xu Xiangya's subtle gesture, they quickly redirected their requests, asking Shen Xifan to introduce them to He Suye's single relatives or friends instead.
Concerned about Zhao Ze's continuous closeness to He Suye, Fang Kexin took an opportunity to speak with the boy privately. She advised him against clinging to He Suye or making comments that could lead to misunderstandings, explaining that such actions could negatively impact He Suye's reputation as a single, young doctor. Zhao Ze then directly asked Fang Kexin if she liked He Suye, which she vehemently denied, visibly flustered, stating He Suye was like a "half-teacher" to her.
He Suye administered acupuncture to Zhao Ze for chemotherapy side effects and instructed Li Jie and other students on the techniques. Zhao Ze's mother expressed deep gratitude for his care. Just then, Shen Xifan contacted He Suye, reminding him to check the contract she'd emailed and to send photos of his ID card for the document. Furthermore, Shen Xifan offered to visit the hospital to sign the contract in person, an offer He Suye happily accepted.
They arranged to meet in the hospital's herbal farm at noon. Li Jie and Fang Kexin noted He Suye's unusually cheerful mood, likening it to "dead wood blossoming in spring." At noon, He Suye met Shen Xifan and gave her a tour of the herbal farm, introducing her to various plants. Shen Xifan was delighted to recognize the red wild berries as five-flavor fruit, the ingredient he had previously used to make her tea.
Playfully, He Suye plucked some for her to taste. Shen Xifan, initially hesitant, took a bite and was immediately overwhelmed by the intense combination of sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and pungent flavors, exclaiming that she had been tricked. They then settled on a bench, admiring the scenery. He Suye's gaze lingered on Shen Xifan, creating a sweet and intimate atmosphere.
As Shen Xifan was about to discuss the next steps for the hotel project, He Suye received an urgent call from his department. He quickly apologized and rushed off, inadvertently leaving the consultant contract behind. Shen Xifan, seeing this, hurried after him to return the document. To her astonishment, Zhao Ze suddenly ran out from behind her, heading directly for He Suye and loudly calling him "Dad."
