The Demon Master Episode 14 Recap
> The Demon Master Recap
Han Qilu and An Chuxia found themselves in a highly inconvenient situation, handcuffed together. Their meals became a struggle, and Li Shendong, observing their predicament, expressed his strong displeasure. He urged Han Qilu's mother to unlock the cuffs. However, Yuanyuan, the housekeeper, acting on Madam's behalf, explained that Madam had instructed her to throw the key away the previous day.
She disclosed that the handcuffs were Madam’s special purchase from overseas, designed to encourage Han Qilu and An Chuxia to spend more time together and eventually have a baby. Yuanyuan also revealed that the tonics decoction everyone, including An Chuxia, had consumed was part of Madam's plan to expedite this. Yuanyuan further conveyed Madam's assertion that the handcuffs were specially designed and could not be opened unless Madam herself willed it.
Yuanyuan claimed that domestic craftsmen couldn't open them and that they would have to wait for the "right time" for a locksmith to be called, advising them to focus on eating their noodles. An Chuxia and Han Qilu were left with no choice but to navigate their daily routines, including classes, while physically bound. During one of Han Qilu's professional classes, a particularly challenging problem was presented, stumping all the students, even Han Qilu.
The teacher, observing An Chuxia, invited her to the front to attempt a solution. An Chuxia, pulling Han Qilu along, reluctantly went up. To everyone's astonishment, she casually drew a semicircle, which unexpectedly solved the difficult problem, earning the teacher's admiration. Later, in An Chuxia's painting class, Nangong Yin noticed Han Qilu and An Chuxia's constant togetherness, openly questioning if they were there to study or date.
However, Teacher Guo remarked that emotion could inspire creation, and if Han Qilu's presence stimulated An Chuxia's artistic feelings, he saw no issue. Madam, discussing with the butler, expressed her satisfaction that Han Qilu and An Chuxia were spending so much time together, attributing it to her effective methods. When the butler inquired about the key, mentioning the need for an overseas locksmith, Madam found it amusing, hinting at the true nature of the handcuffs.
The situation changed dramatically with Ming Yuan's return from abroad. At her welcome party, Li Shendong expressed his desire to study French cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu, drawing mockery from Han Qilu who questioned his suitability for French cooking. An Chuxia, however, encouraged Li Shendong, praising his excellent cooking and assuring him that French cuisine was simpler than Chinese food. Ming Yuan, noticing the handcuffed couple, found their situation perplexing.
After Han Qilu explained Yuanyuan's story about the unopenable foreign handcuffs, Ming Yuan scoffed at the idea, speculating that Madam was merely bluffing and that the more she pretended, the more insecure she felt. With a simple maneuver, Ming Yuan easily unlocked the handcuffs, proving her theory correct and finally freeing An Chuxia and Han Qilu. Relieved, An Chuxia decided to spend the night with Ming Yuan.
Ming Yuan later prepared for a young artist's exhibition party but realized she lacked suitable jewelry. Seeing Ming Yuan's concern, An Chuxia offered her own engagement ring. She cautioned Ming Yuan to guard it carefully, not for its monetary value, but because of its profound personal significance. Meanwhile, Li Shendong, disheartened after his college transfer application was rejected—which he believed his father orchestrated—was working part-time at the school cafeteria.
Director Long informed him that his father, the school's chairman, would be inspecting the school and wished to sample the canteen's food. Seizing this rare opportunity, Li Shendong eagerly prepared a dish, hoping to impress his father and discuss his culinary ambitions. However, his father left without even tasting the food, leaving Li Shendong profoundly disappointed. At the exhibition party, Ming Yuan encountered Nangong Yin.
Nangong Yin commented on Ming Yuan's close relationship with An Chuxia and attempted to recruit her, referencing the sponsorship for overseas study which Ming Yuan won through her own efforts, and offering Ming Yuan anything she desired in exchange for her allegiance. Ming Yuan, unimpressed, firmly rejected Nangong Yin's conditions and issued a stern warning: she would not tolerate any harm coming to An Chuxia. Following the party, Ming Yuan frantically realized she had lost the engagement ring.
She confessed to An Chuxia that she had forgotten it in her room or perhaps dropped it on her way back while trying to put it away, fearing Han Qilu might see it. The two searched extensively but found no trace of it. An Chuxia, distraught, sought advice on how to tell Han Qilu. She was advised to find a romantic spot and explain softly, perhaps even flirtatiously.
Taking this advice, An Chuxia met Han Qilu on a rooftop with a scenic view. Han Qilu, initially believing she had a surprise for him, was met with her anxious confession that she had lost their engagement ring. She explained that she treasured the ring and had worn it as a necklace while painting to avoid getting it dirty.
Han Qilu, however, grew angry, accusing her of not caring about their engagement if she wouldn't even wear it on her finger. An Chuxia argued that wearing it wasn't the most important thing, to which Han Qilu asserted that it was important to him. Their argument was interrupted by an artist manager from Star Times Entertainment, a renowned company known for producing many pop stars.
The manager, having observed Han Qilu, offered him a business card and praised his potential to become famous if he joined their agency. Han Qilu expressed disinterest, but An Chuxia, a fan of Star Times, eagerly took the card and promised they would consider the offer. Back at school, Han Qilu discarded the business card, disappointing An Chuxia, who believed he was far more talented than any TV star and wanted the world to recognize his excellence.
After some persuasion, with An Chuxia stressing he might regret not trying, Han Qilu reluctantly agreed to attend a screen test. Later, the school bulletin board was plastered with photos of Ming Yuan working at a KTV. An Chuxia, seeing the shocking display, attempted to shield Ming Yuan from the gossip. However, Ming Yuan, realizing that An Chuxia was the only person who knew about her KTV job, angrily confronted her, accusing her of exposing the photos.
