Episode Summary
Shen Xifan is invited to He Suye's home for a medicinal meal, where she proposes a TCM consultant role for him at her hotel. He agrees. Their relationship deepens, with professional collaboration and personal moments intertwining. Meanwhile, young patient Zhao Ze's attachment to Suye, calling him "Dad," creates complications, especially when Xifan witnesses it, leaving her shocked at the end of the episode. Fang Kexin also shows that she might be interested in He Suye.
Spoiler Alert
In Episode 8 of "The Best Thing," He Suye, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor, invites Shen Xifan, a hotel manager, to his home. He Suye is walking home with Chinese herbs when he runs into Xifan. He invites her over to his place for a home-cooked meal featuring medicinal cuisine. Xifan, clearly a bit flustered to be in his home for the first time, takes in the surroundings and sips on the schisandra tea (also known as five-flavor berry tea) he prepares. Suye gets to work in the kitchen, and Xifan can't help but peek in, intrigued by his cooking process.
At dinner, Xifan brings up her hotel's plan to incorporate TCM wellness programs, and she asks Suye to be their consultant. He readily agrees, though he mentions needing to inform his hospital and review her proposal. After the meal, Suye walks Xifan home. Feeling she should reciprocate his hospitality, Xifan promises to treat him to dinner next time.
Back home, Xifan dives into working on the proposal. Needing Suye's professional bio, she looks him up online and is stunned to discover his impressive credentials – he's not just a TCM doctor, but a highly accomplished one with a doctorate. She suddenly feels self-conscious about having tweaked his prescription earlier. Just then, Suye calls her via WeChat, reminding her to get some rest.
Meanwhile, Suye's young patient, Zhao Ze, has become quite attached to him. He follows Suye everywhere, wanting to play matchmaker between Suye and his mother. This catches the attention of Fang Kexin, another doctor. During a conversation, Suye learns that Zhao Ze's father passed away, and the boy sees Suye as a father figure, even calling him "Dad" sometimes. Suye, touched by Zhao Ze's situation, doesn't correct the boy's affectionate term.
Xifan's team at the hotel is thrilled with her proposal and pushes her to finalize the contract with Suye. Her colleagues, upon seeing Suye's impressive resume, are suddenly very interested in meeting him, hoping Xifan can introduce them. However, a pointed gesture from Xu Xiangya makes them realize Xifan might have her own interest in Suye, so they quickly switch to asking for introductions to Suye's relatives and friends instead.
Kexin, noticing Zhao Ze's constant presence around Suye, talks to him privately. She cautions him against clinging to Suye or saying things that could be misinterpreted, as it might affect Suye's personal life, given that he's single. Zhao Ze asks Kexin if she likes Suye, which she nervously denies, though her flustered reaction suggests otherwise.
Suye performs acupuncture on Zhao Ze, teaching his colleagues, including Li Jie, the technique. Zhao Ze's mother expresses her gratitude to Suye. At the same time, Xifan contacts Suye to remind him about the contract and asks for a copy of his ID. She also proposes visiting him at the hospital, which delights Suye. They agree to meet at the medicinal herb garden at noon.
During their meeting, Suye shows Xifan around the garden, pointing out various plants. Xifan is surprised to find that the red wild berries growing nearby are schisandra, a common ingredient in her prescriptions. Suye playfully picks a few for her to try. Xifan, initially hesitant, takes a bite, only to be overwhelmed by the intense mix of sour, bitter, salty, and spicy flavors, exclaiming that she's been tricked.
As Xifan and Suye sit together, enjoying the scenery, Suye's gaze keeps returning to her, full of affection. The atmosphere is sweet and charged with unspoken feelings. Just as Xifan is about to discuss the next steps, Suye receives an urgent call from the emergency room and rushes back, leaving the contract behind. Xifan hurries after him, intending to return it, but is stopped in her tracks when Zhao Ze suddenly runs up to Suye, shouting "Dad!" leaving her shocked and confused.
