Episode Summary
Yan Heng's reappearance causes Shen Xifan severe anxiety and distress. He attempts to win her back with public gestures and talks of marriage, but she rejects him. He Suye provides Xifan with emotional and medical support, helping her escape Yan Heng's advances. Xifan is urged by her manager to resolve the situation, while Suye learns of Yan Heng's disturbing influence on Xifan. The episode ends with Suye's research group receiving good news and him sharing a comforting message with Xifan.
Spoiler Alert
In episode 17 of "The Best Thing," Shen Xifan is deeply troubled by the reappearance of Yan Heng. She experiences anxiety, insomnia, and nightmares, waking up in tears. She forces a smile when replying to a message from He Suye. Meanwhile, Yan Heng reveals in a phone call with his father that his pursuit of Xifan is merely a tactic to gain independence from his controlling father; he doesn't truly value the relationship.
The next morning, Xifan finds roses and a card from Yan Heng at the hotel where she works. She promptly throws them away. Xifan sends a photo of a red bean drink to Suye, pretending she made it herself as he requested, but he sees through the deception, calling it a "fail" and inviting her to dinner at his place. Xifan politely declines, citing her busy schedule.
Thinking he's gone, Xifan is surprised to see Yan Heng waiting outside the hotel as she and her colleagues leave. He repeats his public invitation for dinner. Xifan, concerned about the hotel's image, reluctantly agrees. In the car, she finds comfort in the scent of a sachet Suye made for her, which catches Yan Heng's attention.
Yan Heng attempts to rekindle their past, taking Xifan to a restaurant they used to frequent and even bringing up marriage. Xifan, irritated by his consistent selfishness, firmly rejects him, stating that she never liked the restaurant's signature dish, roast meat.
On her way home, Xifan's anxiety spikes. She realizes she left the sachet in Yan Heng's car. Suffering from a headache, she urgently calls Suye. Yan Heng, having followed Xifan, arrives at the traditional Chinese medicine clinic and, seeing the sachet, realizes the nature of Xifan and Suye's relationship.
Meanwhile, Suye examines Xifan, deducing that her distress is related to her ex-boyfriend. He performs acupuncture. Yan Heng arrives, claiming to be there to accompany his "girlfriend" and implying that Xifan is just being difficult. Suye, not tolerating Yan Heng's behavior, blocks him, stating that the treatment will take another fifteen minutes. He pointedly adds an extra herb to Xifan's prescription, sarcastically referring to Yan Heng as "Yinchen" (a herb associated with April, implying he's out of season). With Suye's help, Xifan escapes through the clinic's back door. Suye then dismisses Yan Heng and rushes out to embrace Xifan, reassuring her to let go of the past and focus on the present and future. Xifan's parents notice her low spirits but she brushes off their concerns.
The next day, Xifan's manager, Cheng Dong, advises her to resolve the situation with Yan Heng, emphasizing the potential negative impact on the hotel and her career. Yan Heng's assistant continues to deliver flowers, but Xifan refuses them, making it clear she won't accept them anymore.
Grandma Liu visits Suye for a check-up and subtly reveals that Yan Heng's presence is deeply upsetting Xifan. Suye is concerned but remains calm, trusting that Xifan will handle the situation. Later, Suye sees news about Yan Heng's successful contract signing at the hotel, realizing he's a "domineering CEO" type. Li Jie then informs him that their research group's application has been approved, a cause for celebration. You Liren expresses his happiness for Suye. After hanging up, Suye takes a picture of the scenery and sends it to Xifan, commenting on the nice weather.
