Master of My Own Episode 5 Recap
> Master of My Own Recap
Ning Meng meticulously reviewed previously rejected projects, hoping to discover a viable opportunity. Her persistence paid off when she identified Locke's Thermos Cup project as promising. She sought advice from Ms. Feng, who, while appearing helpful, ultimately directed Ning Meng to conduct her own research. Undeterred, Ning Meng thoroughly investigated the market, purchasing various popular thermos cups for comparison and distributing them to colleagues for feedback, noting that one would be particularly useful for Director Liu, who had kidney stones.
Ning Meng visited Locke Technology and met Max, their young CTO. While praising the new product's design, she pointed out a key flaw: the cumbersome, non-detachable rechargeable heating base. She proposed a modular design, separating the heating base from the cup to make it lighter and more practical. Impressed by her insights, Max invited her to participate in their team's future discussions.
Confident in the project's potential, Ning Meng submitted a revised proposal to her superior, Qiu Junlin, but he dismissively took the document without any apparent interest. Meanwhile, Lu Jiming's assistant, Xiaoyang, on behalf of Director Liu, asked if Lu Jiming needed a new secretary. He harshly rebuked her for the question and for her perceived incompetence with making coffee.
A frustrated Xiaoyang later confided in Ning Meng, lamenting Lu Jiming's volatile temper and humorously suggesting that he might have romantic feelings for Ning Meng since he was keeping the secretary position open. Ning Meng dismissed the idea, citing his consistently harsh treatment. Xiaoyang reflected on her initial idealized view of Lu Jiming, concluding that a "bossy CEO is best observed from a distance." Despite Ning Meng's enthusiasm for the Locke project, Qiu Junlin remained unresponsive.
When she finally confronted him, he curtly stated the project was not worth investing in and condescendingly refused to elaborate. Frustrated, Ning Meng went directly to Lu Jiming, but he refused to even look at her proposal, reprimanding her for bypassing her superior. He sarcastically remarked that he would only listen if she were still his secretary, then belittled her past work as lacking "technical skill" and declared she was unsuitable for the investment world.
Infuriated by his condescension, Ning Meng left, internally seething and imagining herself physically retaliating. While venting to her friend You Qi, she resolved not to give up. Encouraged by You Qi, Ning Meng approached Mr. Ren, the head of Investment Department I. She presented her plan, explaining the project's merits and offering to forgo any personal profit. While Mr. Ren expressed reservations about taking on a project rejected by another department, he was impressed by her dedication.
As he was leaving for a business trip, he agreed to have his team evaluate her proposal and connect with her upon his return. The next day, he called to confirm his team was impressed and the project was worth pursuing, scheduling a follow-up meeting. Excited, Ning Meng called Max with the good news, only to be shocked when Max revealed that a "Director Qiu" had already visited and signed a contract, assuming she was aware.
The realization that Qiu Junlin had stolen her project filled her with anger. She confronted Qiu Junlin, who first feigned innocence before admitting he had dismissed her proposal without reading it. He offered a condescending apology and warned her that she was lucky it was him and not someone else, advising her to quit if she was unhappy.
Overhearing the argument, Lu Jiming dispatched Xiaoyang to persuade Ning Meng to return as his secretary, framing it as a final chance for a long-time employee. Ignoring the offer, Ning Meng called Max, fabricating an email issue to have the contract correspondence re-sent to her. On her way to investigate, she ran into Mr. Ren and had to awkwardly inform him that there might be a problem with the project.
Her investigation revealed a significant discrepancy: Locke had initially promised Joint Capital a 10% investment quota, but the signed contract only showed 8%. Further research exposed that another investor, Baixiang Venture Capital, was run by a legal representative named Zeng Yan—Qiu Junlin's wife. This was clear evidence that Qiu Junlin was funneling the missing 2% to his wife's firm as a kickback.
Ning Meng presented her findings to Lu Jiming, but he dismissed her evidence, accusing her of playing "Sherlock Holmes" instead of doing her job. He belittled her for having completed no projects and only finding "loopholes," comparing her to a failing student proud of not being the worst. When she persisted, he shut her down. Heartbroken by his disregard for ethics, Ning Meng accused him of being "blind" to his principles.
Lu Jiming retorted that he was the one who gave her the opportunity to transfer departments. Ning Meng challenged him, asking if he had ever intended for her to succeed or had simply set her up to fail so she would return as his secretary. Enraged, Lu Jiming told her not to "judge a gentleman by her own petty standards" and reiterated that she was unfit for investment. Having reached her breaking point, Ning Meng declared her resignation.
As she packed, Xiaoyang and Director Liu tried to convince her to stay, but her decision was firm. After offering Director Liu some health advice, she encountered Qiu Junlin on her way out. He feigned a polite farewell, telling her not to forget her "old colleagues." Ning Meng coolly retorted that she would never forget how he had "cultivated" her. Outside, she called You Qi, a smile spreading across her face as she announced, "I'm free," feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and readiness to pursue her own path.
