Chapter 894: An Unexpected Song Request

Leonardo and Andrew may have been focused on different aspects of the script, but that didn't stop each of them from discovering valuable insights.

Andrew was engrossed in understanding why certain changes were necessary in the script.

Leonardo, on the other hand, was analyzing why the protagonist felt a certain way in specific situations, why certain lines were chosen, and why particular actions were taken.

He had spent years studying this script. Ever since he first got his hands on it, he had meticulously analyzed every line, every nuance—obsessing over how it could serve as his gateway to winning an Oscar.

By now, he thought he knew it inside and out.

But as he read through Laila's notes, he suddenly felt like he had been looking at a completely different script all this time.

The emotions he had assumed should be expressed in certain moments were completely at odds with the focal points Laila had emphasized.

And the worst part?

Her interpretations made the character so much richer—the layers of performance, the depth of emotion—it was all more profound under her direction.

No wonder she had told him he was still lacking something.

If he couldn't even grasp the core of a script he had studied for years, did he have what it took to win an Oscar?

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. So, he picked up his phone and called Roy, who was currently on set filming.

—

"Haha! You're overthinking this."

Upon hearing Leonardo's concerns, Roy burst into laughter, completely unsympathetic.

"What do you mean, overthinking?" Leonardo said, feeling even more aggrieved. "Am I wrong? Laila understands the character's inner world better than I do. She even knows how to express it through acting! Are you seriously telling me she couldn't win Best Actress if she wanted to?"

Roy was still laughing, nearly gasping for breath. "That's exactly why I said you're overthinking. She's a director. Do you think being a director is easy? She doesn't just need to understand the character—she needs to understand everything in the film."

"I know she's a director, but damn, this is frustrating. Do you think I have a chance at that Oscar?"

Leonardo's confidence was shaken.

She was so good, he couldn't even feel jealous.

At this point, he wouldn't be surprised if she had saved the world in her past life—that's how absurdly talented she was.

But Roy showed no sympathy for his self-doubt. "Why are you even comparing yourself to her? You're an actor, she's a director. You focus on your role, she focuses on everything. I don't get why you're so hung up on this gap between you two."

"You must have noticed how insane her film knowledge is," Leonardo argued. "You've worked with her a lot—aren't you shocked by how deep her understanding of film is?"

"Of course I know," Roy said with a grin. "How do you think I got my Oscar?"

Leonardo fell silent.

"Trust me," Roy continued, "what you're seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg. Wait until you step onto her set—you'll have even more realizations. I guarantee that if you work with her, you'll win that Oscar at least ten years earlier than you would on your own. But if you stay stuck in this mindset, well… ten years from now, you still might not get it."

—

Leonardo hung up and sat in deep thought.

Roy had always gone on and on about how amazing and adorable Laila was.

The adorable part, Leonardo wasn't going to comment on.

But the amazing part?

That, he could no longer deny.

"…Alright, let's give this a shot."

Gritting his teeth, he shoved his self-doubt aside and dove back into Laila's notes, determined to absorb as much as possible.

—

Meanwhile, Laila received a completely unexpected request.

"…You want me to write a song? For the Olympics?"

She almost wondered if she had misheard.

Or maybe the caller had something wrong in their head.

Why on earth would they ask a film director to write a song?

"Yes, we're aware that you've written some outstanding songs in the past," the person on the other end of the line said politely. "And you're also a highly renowned director. We would be honored if you could contribute a song for this year's Olympic Games."

Laila sighed. She could understand why they reached out to her. With her international influence, any contribution she made could help promote the Olympics.

But still…

"I'm a film director. If you wanted me to shoot a short film, that would make sense. But writing a song…?"

Why did she keep getting these weird requests?

Brand endorsements, charity campaigns… and now songwriting?

Did people think she could do everything?

The caller chuckled. "Originally, we did want to invite you to direct a promotional short film. But at the time, we heard you had taken over family responsibilities at the Moran Group, so we regrettably had to drop the idea. Now that you're back, we're hoping you can contribute in another way."

Ah.

So that was it.

They had wanted her to direct something, but she had been too busy running Moran Group as acting CEO.

It was kind of a shame. If they had come to her before she left for New York, she would have had so many ideas for that short film.

But what convinced her that this was a genuine offer—and not just a superficial PR stunt—was the fact that they even knew about her temporary role at Moran Group.

If they were that well-informed, they weren't just being polite.

"Well, that's a pity," she admitted. "I would've loved to direct that short film."

The caller laughed. "There's no need for regrets. Even though you didn't shoot the short film, you did direct an even greater cinematic masterpiece. The locations in The Lord of the Rings have already become some of the best promotional material for our country's tourism industry."

Laila smiled silently.

Back when she traveled halfway across the world to film Lord of the Rings, she had hoped that—just like in her past life with New Zealand—this new filming location would become a tourist hotspot.

And from the sound of it… she had succeeded.

"Alright," she finally said. "I'll do it."

Writing a song would take some time, but she could manage.

"Leave me a contact number. Once it's ready, I'll send it over."

"Of course. Please take note of this number—someone will be in touch when the time comes."

After exchanging details and discussing some of the song's requirements, the call ended.

Laila jotted down the key points and stared at them for a long moment before tucking the notes away with a chuckle.

She hadn't expected to be involved in something this significant in her second life.

She had written Baby to boost Roy's popularity.

Then, to silence people accusing her of plagiarism, she had written two songs for female singers—helping her TV network's talent show winner gain some exposure along the way.

Judging by the singer's current album sales, she had done very well.

But when it came to the 2008 Olympics, two songs stood out in her memory:

"Beijing Welcomes You" and "You and Me."

A quick search confirmed that those songs already existed.

Which meant she couldn't just copy them—unless she wanted the hilarious spectacle of two identical songs appearing at the same event.