Master of My Own Episode 20 Recap
> Master of My Own Recap
Han Yimeng embraced Lu Jiming, declaring that this time, she did not want to miss out. Lu Jiming, caught off guard and feeling a surprising lack of the joy he'd expected, admitted it was unexpected and that perhaps they both needed a little more time to process things. Despite his reaction, Han Yimeng held firm, reiterating her desire not to let the moment pass.
Meanwhile, Ning Meng confessed that her past feelings for Su Weiran were merely a beautiful memory from her youth and that they belonged firmly in the past. When Su Weiran pressed her about her current feelings, Ning Meng gently replied that they needed more time to clarify their feelings for each other. Su Weiran accepted her response, agreeing to give them both the time Ning Meng suggested, and proposed they let nature take its course without dwelling on the past.
The next morning, Han Yimeng was already busy preparing breakfast for Lu Jiming. She told him she wanted to change and try new things, explaining she couldn't always depend on him, as it made her feel useless. To that end, she asked for Ning Meng's contact details, hoping to pursue the design collaboration Ning Meng had previously mentioned.
Han Yimeng then commented on Lu Jiming's consistent black, white, and gray wardrobe, suggesting it made him appear unapproachable and offering to help him with a makeover. True to her word, Han Yimeng's efforts transformed Lu Jiming's appearance. When he arrived at the office, his colleagues were visibly impressed, remarking on how "dashing" and "handsome" he looked. During a meeting, Lu Jiming's colleagues were distracted, with one even dropping a pen.
Later, someone noticed his patterned socks, joking about how they added a "playful touch" to his handsome look, much to Lu Jiming's slight embarrassment. He quickly dismissed their attempts to flatter him for a raise, then adjourned the meeting. Upon hearing that Ning Meng had subtly refused Su Weiran's implied confession, You Qi expressed her regret.
She reminded Ning Meng how much she used to like Su Weiran and stressed that their reunion felt like fate, especially since they were both currently unattached. You Qi even probed if Ning Meng still held a torch for her ex-boss, Lu Jiming, a notion Ning Meng dismissed as a tiny flame that had long been extinguished.
You Qi emphasized the difficulty of navigating a big city alone and urged Ning Meng to find someone who could support and protect her, suggesting she could pursue both her career and love simultaneously. Ning Meng, however, maintained her focus on her career, believing one must let go to move forward. Later, Han Yimeng called Ning Meng, confirming her interest in the collaboration.
Ning Meng was delighted and promptly arranged a meeting for Han Yimeng with Mr. Lin Dayi, the founder of Mobi Fitness. Lu Jiming accompanied Han Yimeng to the meeting, a sight that caused a flicker of sadness across Ning Meng's face. During the meeting, Mr. Lin praised Han Yimeng and expressed his honor at their presence, immediately assuming that Lu Jiming and Han Yimeng were a couple due to their apparent compatibility.
He also complimented Ning Meng's capabilities, to which Lu Jiming proudly stated he had trained her well. After the meeting, Lu Jiming had a short call with his colleague and made plans to celebrate Han Yimeng's first commercial collaboration with a steak dinner at home that evening. Later that day, Su Weiran called Ning Meng and invited her to a movie over the weekend, which Ning Meng readily accepted.
That evening, Han Yimeng proudly showed Lu Jiming how she had adorned his cool-toned home with vibrant flowers and colors. Over dinner, she brought up a potential investment in a food waste grinder project, an idea Lu Jiming dismissed after explaining the significant differences in Chinese and foreign culinary habits, which would likely lead to severe drainage issues. Despite the work discussion, Han Yimeng suggested they relax that weekend.
She offered options like a Munch exhibition, a concert, or a movie, and Lu Jiming decided on a movie, taking the initiative to arrange it. To his surprise, when they arrived at the cinema, he saw Ning Meng and Su Weiran entering together. The movie proved to be a distraction for Lu Jiming, whose gaze kept drifting toward Ning Meng and Su Weiran.
His anxiety peaked when their hands brushed as they both reached for popcorn, causing him to crane his neck to see them clearly. Ning Meng and Su Weiran chatted and laughed happily throughout the film, while Lu Jiming remained preoccupied and unable to focus on the screen. After the movie, Lu Jiming deliberately waited, hoping to avoid Ning Meng and Su Weiran, but they inevitably ran into each other at the exit.
Han Yimeng acknowledged the coincidence and joked about the movie, subtly noting Lu Jiming's apparent dislike for it. On the way home, Han Yimeng asked Lu Jiming if Su Weiran was Ning Meng's boyfriend, remarking on their compatibility and "cute height difference." Lu Jiming dismissively stated that it would be tiring to constantly look up. Han Yimeng then added that perhaps others found her and Lu Jiming equally compatible, subtly hinting that she had noticed his underlying emotions.
Some time later, Ms. Shi and Ning Meng were discussing the Mobi collaboration, with Ning Meng confidently predicting high sales. Suddenly, Mr. Lin called Ning Meng, inquiring about her knowledge of Han Yimeng. He revealed that the printing for the Mobi product's rear panel had been halted due to a copyright issue with Han Yimeng's painting.
He explained that a painter named Sui Tang in the United States had recently exhibited a very similar work, which he had registered for copyright beforehand. Ning Meng, shocked, immediately left to clarify the situation with Han Yimeng. She met with Lu Jiming, who informed her that Sui Tang was Han Yimeng's ex-boyfriend. Ning Meng pressed for clarification on who truly created the painting, which visibly agitated Lu Jiming, who defensively asked if she, too, doubted Han Yimeng.
Ning Meng insisted she only wanted to understand the full story. Han Yimeng apologized profusely for the trouble, offering to terminate the contract and compensate for all losses. However, Ning Meng and Lu Jiming refused, stating that it would be unfair to her. Ning Meng stressed the importance of clarifying the truth. Han Yimeng then explained that she met Sui Tang at her graduation exhibition in the United States, where he was already a well-known Chinese artist.
She admitted being drawn to his talent, and the painting in question was created during their relationship, a period of great inspiration for her. However, Sui Tang gradually revealed a strong desire for control, interfering with her life and artistic process, often belittling her work. The relationship ended because of his controlling nature and, ultimately, because he was seeing someone else right before their engagement.
She concluded that he had plagiarized her work because he lacked the ability to surpass his own artistic achievements. Ning Meng noticed a recurring "flying bird" motif in Han Yimeng's paintings, which Han Yimeng confirmed was a consistent element in her art, symbolizing humanity's yearning for freedom and hope, yet acknowledging the inherent shackles and fate.
She recalled a similar painting from her university exhibition, which was sold to an art gallery owner whose business card she had tucked into a book, likely at her old family home. Ning Meng immediately contacted a lawyer, Mr. Qian, who confirmed that locating that specific artwork would be crucial evidence to prove Han Yimeng's authorship. Lu Jiming added that Mr. Lin had managed to secure them three days to resolve the issue with the shareholders, assuring Han Yimeng that they would solve the problem.
