Episode 9 of "My Stand-In" propels us alongside Ming, as we journey to confront the reality of Joe's body. Meanwhile, Joe, determined to witness the truth himself, reports to Wut and Sol, grappling internally with a turmoil of emotions. Unsure how to process his feelings, Sol offers a comforting grip of his hand. Ming's secretary bars their path, explaining that the doctors are in the midst of collecting DNA samples. Yet, Ming remains in a trance-like state, oblivious to the chaos surrounding him.
Devastated, Ming reaches out to the seer, intent on confronting his deceit. The seer, however, urges caution, advising Ming to verify the identity of the body first. Ming, frustrated, abruptly ends the call. As they await the results, the trio engages in conversation, Joe pondering over Wut's decision to bestow Ming with his house.
Flashing back, Ming reveals his struggles to contact Joe's relatives, who were only interested in his possessions. Ming, protective of Joe's legacy, shielded his belongings from their greedy claws. Sol insists that Ming's actions stemmed from a sense of guilt. As Joe steps into the shower, Sol confronts Wut, questioning his belief in Ming's love for Joe, reminding him of the circumstances that led to this predicament.
The DNA report finally arrives, and Ming stands, frozen, beside Joe's shrouded body. He takes the report without breaking its seal. As everyone drifts into sleep, Joe attempts to glimpse the deceased, but Jim discourages him, revealing that only bones remain, and Ming fiercely guards the room. Joe, determined, pushes past the barriers to find Ming collapsed on the floor, the report now open and revealing the truth – the old Joe is no more.
Joe, surrounded by his friends, contemplates the future. Sol vows to repurchase Joe's belongings, urging him to accept help this time. Wut confirms Ming's intention to hold a prompt funeral, suggesting that a quiet ceremony would be most fitting. At the funeral, Ming mourns in solitude, reminiscing about their final conversation, where Ming promised Joe he would no longer be a mere replacement. Wut and Sol join him silently, paying their respects. Joe, too, attends, slipping away unnoticed after the ceremony, observing Ming's tears from afar.
As the coffin and all belongings are removed, Ming remains, lost in memories of how he treated Joe. At the cremation, Joe watches the casket disappear behind closed doors, while Ming weeps outside. Joe, unable to control his emotions, confronts Ming, shouting accusations about his belated grief. Wut and Sol intervene, dragging Joe away, leaving Ming to weep even more fiercely.
Afterwards, Ming announces his intention to take care of Joe's remaining possessions, including his ashes. He vows to burn everything and has already made arrangements for their disposal. Wut objects, but Ming insists that everything belongs to him, for Joe was his. Later, Wut hints that the matter may not be as settled as Ming claims, suggesting that there's still time to rectify the situation. He vows to see what he can do to bring clarity and closure.
That fateful evening, Joe stealthily crept into his former abode, while Sol stood vigilant as a watchdog outside. As Joe rummaged through dusty boxes, collecting fragments of his past, Ming unexpectedly materialized on the scene. Believing that the new Joe was merely a reincarnation of the old, Ming clung to the evidence scattered in the items Joe had gathered.
Admitting his deceitful scheme, Ming had orchestrated this encounter to coerce Joe into revealing his true identity. Joe recounted the myriad ways he had suffered as Tong's replacement, but Ming remained steadfast in his conviction—the person he cherished was undeniably Joe. Desperate, Ming begged for a fresh start. Just then, Sol burst in, fists flying towards Ming, and hastily whisked Joe away.
Outside, Sol endeavored to persuade Joe that Ming's actions stemmed solely from guilt. Joe concurred—if he hadn't met his untimely demise, he would still be trapped in the role of Tong's surrogate. Sol earnestly pleaded for Joe to vow never to return to Ming's side, and Joe was resolute in his determination to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
The following day, amidst the buzz of a video release event, Joe felt a surge of nervous energy. Sensing his unease, Sol took his hand boldly in front of the eager fans and inquisitive press, introducing Joe as his boyfriend. Misunderstanding Sol's gesture, the interviewer assumed he was referring to a romantic pairing within the video. Joe stumbled over his words, while Sol wrapped an arm around him, confidently fielding questions with ease.
From the shadows of the room, Ming emerged, clutching a lavish bouquet intended for Joe. The crowd presumed it was part of a publicity stunt for an upcoming music video. Sol's expression, however, was unmistakably sour. As the room emptied, Mr. Prach revealed that he had invited Ming and led the stars to meet their sponsors.
At the subsequent party, Ming cornered Joe, proposing a toast. Joe perceived Ming's demands as relentless, while Ming accused Joe of being even more stubborn. Joe claimed to have learned his lesson but politely poured Ming's drink. Ming launched a charm offensive, promising Joe the world, only to be interrupted by Sol's furious entrance, much to the amusement of the gathered guests. Mr. Prach quickly intervened, suggesting that the drama was merely a teaser for their next video.
Calming the waters, Mr. Prach steered Joe aside, emphasizing that opportunity was the cornerstone of success. He gestured towards a car parked nearby, with Ming waiting patiently inside. He urged Joe to take a seat. Ming saw this as his chance to reconcile with Joe, but Joe viewed it as an opportunity to make wiser choices and steer clear of Ming.
As Joe exited the car, he posed a burning question. "If it had been Tong, you would have preferred to gaze upon his handsome face rather than engage in such acts from behind, wouldn't you?" Ming chased after Joe, confessing that the back he had fallen in love with belonged to Tong in his debut film—a role Joe had filled as a stand-in. Thus, Ming believed Joe had always been his first love. Joe requested Ming to make amends by letting him go.
Initially complying, Ming couldn't resist the urge to pursue Joe further, reminding him of their contract. He vowed to use the next six months to rekindle Joe's affection for him.
