Master of My Own Episode 4 Recap
> Master of My Own Recap
Ning Meng traveled a considerable distance, paying 445 yuan for a taxi, to a remote RV park for her due diligence. Upon arrival, she met the park manager, Mr. Zhang, who showed her around the expansive 15-mu property. He highlighted features like ten RVs, themed rooms resembling a space shuttle, helicopter, and train, and a small square with a stage for performances and team-building activities. Mr. Zhang also noted the park's online popularity with influencers.
Ning Meng meticulously observed the site and interviewed visitors, who revealed that while the park was popular for photos, most didn't stay overnight due to the high cost and lack of nearby attractions. The next day at the company, Lu Jiming led a meeting on the environmental protection industry, emphasizing its projected growth of over 11% in the next five years. He advised focusing on smaller, technologically advanced companies struggling with funding, as they could hold significant future value.
Eager to curry favor, Yang Xiaoyang instructed attendees to applaud and later arranged for Lu Jiming's words and past interviews to be compiled into an internal investment guide, encouraging everyone to share it on social media. Xu Sitian, who had been trying to impress Lu Jiming with massages, food, and coffee made from expensive Geisha beans, learned that Ning Meng was handling the due diligence for her RV park project.
Annoyed, she confronted department head Qiu Junlin, questioning his decision to assign an important project to a secretary who lacked project experience. Qiu Junlin defended his choice, stating that Ning Meng was trained and highly regarded by Lu Jiming. When Ning Meng arrived, Xu Sitian berated her for getting ahead of herself. Ning Meng calmly assured her she would deliver a satisfactory report. Afterward, Yang Xiaoyang complained to Ning Meng about being Xu Sitian's "follower" and getting scolded daily.
Ning Meng advised her to be quiet before retorting that her trip was for due diligence, not fun. Shortly after, Ms. Feng approached Ning Meng, explaining she wasn't told about the project's origin earlier to avoid bias, as Xu Sitian's previous proposals had been subpar. Praising Ning Meng's work ethic, Ms. Feng revealed that Qiu Junlin had specifically requested her to present at the upcoming investment appraisal.
Despite Ning Meng's hesitation, Ms. Feng encouraged her to seize the opportunity before her two-month probation ended and provided her with industry research reports. Ning Meng prepared all night but overslept the next morning, rushing to the office after a wake-up call from Ms. Feng. Upon entering the meeting room, Ning Meng instinctively headed for the coffee machine.
Lu Jiming mocked her, remarking that her body was present but her brain was still asleep, and questioned if the stress of her dual roles was too much. Despite the awkwardness, Ms. Feng prompted her to begin. Ning Meng presented her findings, citing two main concerns: guest flow and revenue conversion. She identified the remote suburban location, far from attractions and main roads, as a core issue limiting visitors. She also challenged the marketing claim of a 50% occupancy rate.
Xu Sitian interrupted, pointing to the park's online popularity. Ning Meng countered that online hype didn't equal revenue, as most visitors only came for photos. Her research revealed that high prices, discomfort with RV living, and a lack of on-site entertainment were major deterrents. Xu Sitian accused her of nitpicking, but Ning Meng stood by her objective report, acknowledging that RV culture, as a foreign concept, needed time to be accepted by the local market.
When pressed for a conclusion, Ning Meng stated the project was "too risky" and advised against investment. Enraged, Xu Sitian slammed the table, questioning a secretary's authority to dismiss her project. Qiu Junlin stepped in, siding with Xu Sitian by calling Ning Meng's report "lopsided" due to her limited time on-site.
Ning Meng countered that she had analyzed data since the park's opening, but Qiu Junlin undermined her by revealing a future government eco-tourism subsidy for the area that she was unaware of. After the meeting, Lu Jiming told Ning Meng her inability to handle the task proved she was only suited to be a secretary. Overhearing colleagues, Ning Meng realized Qiu Junlin had set her up as a scapegoat to avoid offending Xu Sitian.
The colleagues expressed relief at avoiding the "troublesome job" and praised Qiu Junlin's tactic of "diverting trouble." Fighting back tears, Ning Meng understood the scheme. Lu Jiming, likely aware of Qiu Junlin’s manipulation, may have used the situation to push her to quit and return to her old role. At home, Ning Meng recounted the events to her friend You Qi, who furiously condemned Qiu Junlin and Ms. Feng for setting her up.
Ning Meng calmly dismissed it as "weight training." She relayed Lu Jiming's comment that she was only "suited to be a secretary." You Qi’s husband, He, advised Ning Meng that such incidents were normal and she needed to understand the stakes to avoid being a scapegoat. You Qi criticized his advice as "toxic."
Ning Meng acknowledged that Qiu Junlin was narrow-minded and targeting her, but when asked if she regretted her decision, she vehemently declared she would rather "jump off a building" than return to being Lu Jiming's secretary. Zeng Yuhang confronted Lu Jiming, suspecting he was intentionally making things difficult for Ning Meng. Lu Jiming claimed he was just helping her "see the reality" of the "capital market's world of deceit" from which he had previously shielded her.
He predicted she would ask for her old job back within two days, as her replacement, Yang Xiaoyang, was incompetent. He then tasked Zeng Yuhang with getting rid of Xu Sitian. Zeng Yuhang found Xu Sitian complaining about having to buy Lu Jiming's lunch in high heels, acting as his personal "courier."
He cunningly suggested she had the "wrong target," revealing that Lu Jiming had never been interested in Ning Meng but was still hung up on "Meng," a childhood neighbor who was now a successful designer in the U. S. He challenged Xu Sitian to emulate Meng instead of wasting her efforts. Realizing her mistake, Xu Sitian informed Lu Jiming she was better suited as "President Xu" and was leaving for Europe to explore art investments.
Relieved, Lu Jiming had Yang Xiaoyang clear her desk. Zeng Yuhang later confirmed Xu Sitian’s resignation, joking that he made a personal "sacrifice" as she had asked him to travel with her. Later, Lu Jiming warned Qiu Junlin not to waste his intelligence on internal politics again. He then put the RV park project on hold, stating the "time is not right."
While searching for documents, Ning Meng found inspiration in old, rejected projects from 2015-2016, believing some might have "new chances" as market conditions evolved. Encountering Lu Jiming in the elevator, she told him, "Mr. Lu, you are right." He beamed, assuming she was ready to return to her secretarial role. However, Ning Meng clarified she was referring to his "wise decision" to shelve the RV park project. His smile froze.
When he questioned her interest in old projects, she credited him for the "reminder" that things can find "new life" over time. Baffled and annoyed, Lu Jiming told her to take a different elevator because she was "annoying" him.
