Master of My Own Episode 29 Recap
> Master of My Own Recap
Ning Meng's mother and father playfully questioned if Ning Meng had romantic feelings for Lu Jiming due to her helpfulness. Ning Meng quickly denied it, insisting she loved her parents, but a blush betrayed her. Lu Jiming, who had been sitting under the eaves, was invited by Ning's father to go grocery shopping.
As they walked through the town, a neighbor jokingly asked if Lu Jiming was the Ning family's future son-in-law, prompting Ning's father to explain that Lu was the great-nephew of his distant aunt's cousin. Upon their return, Lu Jiming found himself actively participating in household chores. He helped bargain at the market, cleaned the house, assisted with gutting fish, retrieved osmanthus wine, and watered the plants.
He jokingly wondered if Ning Meng's parents were intentionally making him work as revenge for his past mistreatment of their daughter, a thought Ning Meng entertained, saying her father was hard to figure out. Later, Ning's father asked Lu Jiming to accompany him the next day to collect a wild pig ham for making meat-filled mooncakes and to help him practice driving, as his wife wouldn't let him drive alone. Lu Jiming agreed.
Ning Meng, however, expressed concern to her father about pushing Lu Jiming too hard, but her father countered that it was a necessary challenge to build character, especially after how Lu Jiming had treated their daughter. He then reiterated his suspicion about Ning Meng's feelings for Lu Jiming, which she again artfully dodged. The next morning, as they drove on a bumpy road in Ning's father's old car, Ning's father mentioned that Ning Meng had told him everything.
Misunderstanding, Lu Jiming immediately apologized, admitting to having frequently scolded, argued with, and ordered Ning Meng around in the past. This confession infuriated Ning's father, who, momentarily forgetting he was driving, threatened to throw Lu Jiming out of the car. Lu Jiming quickly clarified that Ning Meng had actually informed her father about his recent business troubles, not their past work interactions.
The tension dissipated, and Lu Jiming peeled a mandarin orange for Ning's father, who fondly recalled almost naming Ning Meng "Ning Xiaoju," meaning "little mandarin orange." During the drive, Ning's father shared his own experience of a failed startup at a similar age to Lu Jiming, noting that his own struggles were arguably worse but that he persevered.
He emphasized that the most crucial thing in life is to have supportive companions through thick and thin, a blessing that money cannot buy. Lu Jiming took these words to heart, acknowledging their truth and expressing renewed hope, equating it to refilling a car's tank to continue the journey. Back at Ning Meng's home, the four began making traditional meat-filled mooncakes. Lu Jiming, clumsy with the task, inadvertently shaped his mooncake like a dumpling.
Ning Meng playfully teased him, but her parents quickly defended him, finding his "dumpling-like mooncake" festive and creative, even recalling how Ning Meng's father had praised her for making a bun-shaped mooncake as a child. After the mooncakes were baked, Lu Jiming enjoyed his unique creation, and they all shared a celebratory toast for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Later, by the riverside, Ning Meng and Lu Jiming released river lanterns, a local custom allowing one wish per lantern.
They each made a wish. The tranquility was broken when Su Weiran called Ning Meng, and it was then that Lu Jiming learned of their breakup. Ning Meng, not wanting to dwell on it, shifted the conversation to Lu Jiming's recent stay. Lu Jiming confessed that he had found a profound sense of warmth and belonging with her family, a feeling he had always longed for but never truly experienced.
He expressed his joy, admitting it was the first time in a long while he had smiled so genuinely. Ning Meng encouraged him to visit often and even join her father for mahjong. She then urged him to rise above his current difficulties, revealing her suspicion that He Yueluan and Shuangxun, possibly with Caihuang Capital's involvement, had deliberately manipulated stock prices and possibly even his own private placement stock to target his father's company and him.
She stressed the importance of him regaining his power to confront those who had wronged them. The following day, as Ning Meng and Lu Jiming prepared to return to Shanghai, Ning's parents affectionately bid them farewell, offering them "Victory Cakes" for good fortune and reminding them to look after each other. Back in Shanghai, You Qi excitedly greeted Ning Meng, revealing she had secured her first job as a beauty consultant at a cosmetics counter.
Despite You Qi’s humble assessment of the sales position compared to Ning Meng’s investment career, Ning Meng reassured her that all professions hold value and that the job perfectly suited You Qi's talents and personality. You Qi admitted to some insecurity about her new role, recalling how Ning Meng had once taught her that makeup was for self-pleasure, not external validation.
Ning Meng affirmed You Qi's capabilities, and they celebrated their new beginnings, with You Qi promising Ning Meng employee discounts on cosmetics. The next morning, Ning Meng arrived at work to find her desk occupied by a new intern. To her surprise, Shi Ying approached and announced Ning Meng's immediate promotion to Investment Director of Eaglestone Capital.
Shi Ying explained that Ning Meng's successful turnaround of Lin Dayi's company, now listed on NEEQ, and her excellent work on the Lehui project, had earned her this significant recognition. Shi Ying further revealed her plan to establish a new branch in Singapore next year, where her boyfriend works, and entrusted Ning Meng with the responsibility of overseeing Eaglestone Capital's operations in Shanghai. That evening, You Qi celebrated Ning Meng's promotion by baking "Qiqi's celebratory egg tarts."
You Qi reminisced about Ning Meng's past determination to become a director, and while Ning Meng expressed happiness, she also admitted to feeling a sense of nervousness, recognizing that her new role was merely the beginning of a long journey. Both friends toasted to their bright new chapters.
Lu Jiming then enthusiastically contacted Ning Meng, sharing his decision to make a comeback in the investment world, asserting it was his true passion and what genuinely made him happy, a realization he credited to Ning's father's wisdom. He recounted a story about an old man whose investment in medical research led to a drug that cured his long-term illness, illustrating for Lu Jiming the profound impact and trust-building nature of good investments.
Lu Jiming revealed he had already initiated the process of acquiring an existing finance company, noting that Ning Meng’s prior research into such acquisitions had been helpful. He admitted he had started planning this during their Mid-Autumn Festival visit, anticipating her support. As he was about to ask Ning Meng something important, their conversation was interrupted by her colleagues, who addressed her as "Director Ning."
Lu Jiming congratulated her on the promotion, and when she prompted him to continue what he was saying, he playfully deflected, stating that he too now needed to "turn the tables" and make his own comeback. Despite his cheerful demeanor and well wishes for her dreams and career, Ning Meng felt a subtle pang of disappointment as he departed.
Later, holding her various business cards, from secretary to director, she reflected on the arduous yet fulfilling journey that had shaped her into the person she was today. Lu Jiming’s attempts to secure new collaborations proved challenging. During one meeting, he was informed that Mr. Liu, his prospective partner, was "away on business," making Lu Jiming suspect he was being deliberately avoided.
Later, he encountered Mr. Jia of Zhongxing, a former client he had helped connect with Boyu Capital, in the company of Jin Haiyang. Despite their strained past, Lu Jiming approached Mr. Jia to warn him about Jin Haiyang's Caihuang Capital, known for deceptively inflating valuations. However, Mr. Jia rebuffed Lu Jiming, accusing him of abandoning their previous project. Jin Haiyang then joined the conversation, openly mocking Lu Jiming and implying his current diminished status. Swallowing his anger, Lu Jiming retreated to his studio to organize his belongings, where Ning Meng unexpectedly appeared.
