Master of My Own Episode 17 Recap
> Master of My Own Recap
Lu Jiming brought Han Yimeng to his apartment. Han Yimeng commented on the modern decor and requested coffee, explaining that her jet lag and daily habits meant she could drink it at night without issue. While Han Yimeng went to change, Lu Jiming struggled with the unfamiliar coffee machine and called Ning Meng for help with the one she had purchased for him.
Ning Meng was surprised by his late-night coffee request, and her unease grew when he confirmed he was hosting a friend, realizing he had brought someone home. Despite this, she patiently guided him through the steps of making pour-over coffee. Meanwhile, Ning Meng's friend, You Qi, noticed Ning Meng's irritation with Lu Jiming's persistent calls and teased her about her "colleague." The two friends then reminisced about their college days.
After Lu Jiming served the coffee, Han Yimeng complimented his first attempt. He offered to help tidy her room, but his clumsiness led Han Yimeng to take over. As he sat, Lu Jiming noticed a bottle of Vortioxetine, an antidepressant, in her luggage. Seeing his concern, Han Yimeng explained it was for sleep issues and told him not to worry.
Ning Meng presented the Mobi fitness project's research report to Shi Ying, who was impressed and immediately asked if Lu Jiming would be interested in co-investing. Ning Meng hesitated, explaining that Lu Jiming had rejected similar fitness-related projects in the past. Shi Ying countered that past rejections don't dictate future decisions and emphasized Lu Jiming's high regard for Ning Meng's abilities, suggesting her involvement might change his mind.
Ning Meng expressed a preference for finding other limited partners to give Eaglestone more control over the project, but Shi Ying insisted on leveraging Lu Jiming's vast experience, valuing his insights even if he ultimately chose not to invest. Pressured by Shi Ying, Ning Meng reluctantly agreed to approach him. Ning Meng sent the project proposal to Lu Jiming, who was at a restaurant for Han Yimeng's welcome dinner. Zeng Yuhang playfully chided Lu Jiming for working during the meal.
The group's conversation touched upon Han Yimeng's unique ring and her plans, with friends suggesting she could return to China permanently due to the booming contemporary art market. Zeng Yuhang hinted at Lu Jiming and Han Yimeng's long-standing connection, calling them childhood sweethearts. Han Yimeng appeared withdrawn, especially when asked about her boyfriend. Noticing her discomfort, Lu Jiming deflected the questions and later asked Zeng Yuhang to discreetly inquire about her situation.
When Lu Jiming didn't reply to her message, Ning Meng called his assistant, Xiaoyang, who revealed Lu Jiming had been acting strangely, leaving the office early and requiring appointments for all meetings. Ning Meng went to Joint Capital to meet Lu Jiming. Before she could discuss the Mobi project, he interrupted and asked for her help with a food delivery app, inquiring about adding a second phone number.
While assisting him, Ning Meng saw the delivery order was addressed to "Ms. Han" at a familiar address, confirming her suspicions about his guest. Just as she finished, Lu Jiming received a call from Zeng Yuhang, who reported that Han Yimeng had likely returned to China because of a difficult breakup with her long-term boyfriend, with whom she had been close to getting engaged. Witnessing Lu Jiming's evident distress over the news, Ning Meng felt uneasy.
Leaving the office, she ran into Zeng Yuhang, who confirmed Lu Jiming was preoccupied with a friend who had returned from overseas. Upon returning home, Lu Jiming found Han Yimeng drinking alone. He tried to get her to eat, but she had no appetite. He suggested instant noodles, a food she used to crave while abroad.
This sparked a shared memory of their childhood, when his busy father would often leave him at Han Yimeng's home, and the two would bond over instant noodles. Later, Ning Meng asked Zeng Yuhang about Han Yimeng. He revealed their deep history, explaining that after Lu Jiming's parents divorced, Han Yimeng was his closest companion through his school years. Her departure for New York to study art in high school deeply affected Lu Jiming.
Zeng Yuhang confessed he had urged Lu Jiming to confess his feelings to her before she left, but she dismissed it as childish talk. He told Ning Meng that Lu Jiming had been waiting for her ever since, quoting Lu Jiming: "She was with me through my loneliest and most desperate years. I'm willing to wait for her to see me as a man, not just a boy." Ning Meng was visibly shaken by this revelation.
Back home, a distraught Ning Meng confessed to You Qi, who had already deduced her feelings for Lu Jiming after observing her recent behavior. You Qi correctly guessed that a previous "accidental kiss" had been with Lu Jiming, stating, "The kiss was an accident, but the feelings aren't." Ning Meng admitted her despair, explaining that Han Yimeng was Lu Jiming's unrequited childhood love, the one he had been waiting for.
You Qi advised her to let go before her feelings deepened, and Ning Meng agreed, wishing Lu Jiming would reject the project so she could avoid him. That night, Lu Jiming found Han Yimeng drinking alone on the terrace. He stayed with her, and she confessed that revisiting the memories of her past relationship was too painful. Overcome with emotion, she began to cry.
Lu Jiming awkwardly but sincerely comforted her, offering to be a non-judgmental listener whenever she was ready to talk. Han Yimeng expressed her gratitude, telling him his presence was deeply reassuring. The next day, Shi Ying instructed Ning Meng to go to Lu Jiming's office for an answer on the Mobi project. Lu Jiming was direct, stating he had reviewed the proposal, found it uninteresting, and would not be investing.
Ning Meng's calm acceptance of his decision without question seemed to puzzle him. Before she left, he asked what she does to cheer herself up, but she gave a brief, impersonal answer about finding jokes online. Back at Eaglestone, Ning Meng relayed the rejection. When Shi Ying questioned the project's viability, Ning Meng passionately defended its potential. Shi Ying, surprised by Lu Jiming's curt dismissal, asked if they had argued.
Ning Meng denied it and then confronted her boss, asking if Eaglestone was too dependent on Lu Jiming's judgment and, more pointedly, if Shi Ying's favor toward her was primarily because of her connection to Lu Jiming.
