Laila admired people like that—because she herself wasn't capable of doing the same.
She was too rational. Before doing anything, she had to weigh all the variables, carefully analyze every angle, and then pick the path most likely to succeed. That path might not be the shortest route to her ideal, but it was the most secure.
Take her latest film, Silence, for example. A film like that wasn't particularly hard to shoot—it didn't require much in the way of special effects or technical complexity. With her skills, she could've made it years ago. Though the delay was partly due to script issues, she could've found something similar in the mountains of neglected screenplays if she'd really looked.
So why didn't she realize her dream sooner?
Because she still wanted to hone her filmmaking skills.
Just look at the progression of her directing career:
She started with a basic horror film (Witch Claire), then moved on to action films (Rush Hour, Kill Bill), followed by projects that needed minimal special effects (Final Destination), before finally diving into major VFX-driven blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean, and ultimately into full-scale epics like The Lord of the Rings.
Step by step, she accumulated wealth, leveled up her directing skills, and assembled the most elite production crew in Hollywood. Once she was confident that nothing could stop her from creating the film she truly wanted to make, Silence was born.
That was who she was—cautious and steady, moving ever forward toward her end goal.
It might have looked like she "waited a few extra years" to chase her dream, but in truth, she had chosen the path with the highest probability of success.
Maybe it was just a matter of personality. While she spent a decade building the perfect conditions for her success, Fu Chuan's director friend had gone all-in from the start, burning all bridges to chase his dream in one bold leap.
Some people might not appreciate Laila's methodical approach, but she, in turn, found the reckless, all-or-nothing path far too impulsive. What if you fail? Just like now—one misstep, and the guy had offended someone powerful enough to block his film from even being screened.
Still, she couldn't help but think about her past life. If her previous self had been so bold—so willing to risk everything on one bet—would she have made the movie of her dreams sooner? Would she have avoided all those years spent groveling to investors, begging for funding, wasting time?
That was a question with no answer.
But one thing she was sure of: even if she had gone all in, her first project wouldn't have been something so unlikely to make money. She would've gone with something profitable first. Once she had money and fame, she would've had the confidence and leverage to make the film she really wanted.
Still, just for the sheer guts he had shown, Laila wanted to help this guy out.
"Who did he offend?"
Fu Chuan could hear a subtle shift in his boss's tone. It sounded like she was considering stepping in—and that immediately lifted his spirits. He told her the name.
That person was wealthy and well-connected, sure. But compared to Laila, he wasn't even worth mentioning. Even though Laila was all the way in the U.S., technically out of reach when it came to Eastern affairs, she had one trump card that trumped everything else:
She owned the largest cinema chain in the East.
That alone was enough to make anyone in the film business think twice before crossing her.
If Laila so much as said, "Any film associated with so-and-so will not be shown in my theaters,"—who would still want to work with that person?
Thinking of this, Fu Chuan couldn't help grinning. In his mind's eye, he was already picturing that person's miserable downfall.
To be thorough, he even explained the full background behind that person's grudge with his friend. He had only learned about it after his friend told him, and he'd done some digging to confirm the details.
What he didn't know was that Laila already knew this man—and far better than he did. In her past life, she'd dealt with him more than once and knew exactly what kind of scum he was.
To put it bluntly, he was your typical rich kid: bored of chasing college girls, so he'd set his sights on B-list starlets in the entertainment industry. With some money in hand, he started an entertainment company and amused himself by launching a few small-time idols.
On the surface, he seemed polished and respectable. But behind the scenes, his company was a total mess.
Laila had worked with him before—not by choice, but out of financial necessity. He'd given her scripts to shoot and provided funding. All he asked in return was for her to put a few of his "favorites" on the cast list. What could she say? She needed the money.
To be fair, the guy did have one redeeming trait—his "actresses" were all willing participants, and he was never stingy when it came to spending. He paid in full, on time, and without complaints.
So the Laila of her previous life just focused on doing her job—making the film, earning her cut, and ignoring everything else.
"I understand," Laila said. "Have your friend get in touch with me when he has a moment." Then she hung up.
Fu Chuan clenched his right fist in a victorious gesture, then immediately dialed his friend.
"Lao Han, listen to me…" He didn't even wait for a response before launching into a breathless recap of his conversation with Laila.
Han Mingjiang was stunned into silence when he finished. "Wait… you mean Laila? That Laila?"
Fu Chuan, of course, could guess how shocked he was and burst into laughter. "What other Laila could I possibly mean? Anyway, contact her ASAP. With her stepping in, your film getting released shouldn't be a problem anymore!"
Han Mingjiang looked up, forcing back the tears that were threatening to fall. In a choked voice, he said, "Thanks, Da Chuan. Really. Thank you."
"Ugh, don't get all emotional on me!" Fu Chuan's nose tingled a little, too. "Just remember to treat me to dinner once you make it big!"
"Of course! Wouldn't dream of skipping you!" Han Mingjiang glanced around the tiny room he'd been renting since selling his house. His gaze turned sharp, more determined than ever. "I'll definitely succeed!"
Holding the phone number his friend had just given him, he stared at the digits for a long moment, taking deep breaths to calm his nerves before finally dialing.
He had thought that after everything he'd been through—after meeting so many people and experiencing so many ups and downs—he wouldn't get nervous anymore.
But now he realized… he was nowhere near as unshakable as he thought.
Still, it couldn't be helped—because the person he was about to call was Laila Moran.
Even if you'd never been to Hollywood, even if you weren't American, if you were in the film industry, that name alone was enough to make your heart skip a beat.