The Eastern fashion world had developed relatively late, so designers who had their own shows on the international stage were extremely rare. Yet even those few who had made it still dreamed of bringing Eastern aesthetics to a wider audience—of showing the world the true beauty of their homeland's culture.
Embroidery, for example, had appeared on a few runways. But the designers who used it were usually very young, just starting their careers, and hadn't yet garnered much attention. Western fashion circles, notoriously proud and closed off, often dismissed the unique flair of Eastern designs, refusing to acknowledge their value.
Laila didn't waste time explaining all this to Li Zhimou—instead, she directly brought him to Janet.
They'd already met once and had hit it off. For the past few days, Janet had stayed in Hollywood, showering praise on Laila's Eastern-style wedding gown.
Judging by the massive pile of design drafts now surrounding her, the gown had become her muse, sparking an endless flow of inspiration. She had seemingly forgotten all about her husband and son, throwing herself completely into her new creative streak.
People who could fully commit themselves to their work were usually the kind who found true success. Janet was like that.
And so was Laila.
When they were focused on their work, they could go days without sleep, forgetting everything else around them.
When Laila arrived at the Beverly Hills estate with Li Zhimou, Janet was still in her studio, sketching away at her desk.
"Mom, do you have a minute?"
Laila carefully stepped over the papers scattered all over the floor, making her way across a "landmine field" of drafts until she finally reached her mother's desk.
Janet looked up, took off her glasses, and rubbed her bloodshot eyes.
"Laila, darling, back so early today?"
Laila frowned disapprovingly.
"Your dark circles are worse again. How long did you sleep last night?"
Janet let out an awkward laugh.
"I did sleep! Sort of. Anyway, what brings you back?"
She glanced past her daughter—only to spot a man still struggling to find a place to stand among the scattered papers, carefully stepping forward.
A man?
Bought a home for her daughter?
And not Roy?!
"Laila! Do you have a new boyfriend?" Janet gasped dramatically.
"Then—what about Roy?!"
In a flash, a flood of scenarios rushed through her mind.
Her daughter is falling for someone else.
Roy is leaving in heartbreak.
Eli growing up fatherless, crying every night…
Then Laila and the new man have a baby. A little one who looked even more Eastern!
If it were a girl, even better—with black hair and beautiful dark eyes.
And you know what? Janet thought to herself that it actually didn't sound so bad. Who would ever say no to having another adorable, beautiful grandchild?
Laila had no idea what wild stories were already playing out in her mother's head.
If she did, she'd probably explode from sheer frustration.
Even without knowing, the words "new boyfriend" alone were enough to make her blood pressure spike.
"Mom, this is Li Zhimou! You literally met him a few days ago—remember?"
"Li Zhimou?"
Janet had only caught a glimpse of an Eastern man earlier and hadn't gotten a good look.
"Oh, if it's Li Zhimou, that's not bad at all. He's quite cute."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Li Zhimou finally made it to Laila's side. Hearing himself described as "cute," he gave a cheerful smile.
"But if I may, calling a man 'cute' might not be the best. I prefer 'cool,' 'handsome,' or even 'sexy,' you know?"
Janet burst out laughing, taking it as a joke.
"Alright then—welcome, cool and sexy gentleman Mr. Li Zhimou, to the role of Laila's new boyfriend."
"..."
Laila stared at the ceiling, feeling the urge to flip the entire desk.
She was very proud of her self-control in that moment.
How was one supposed to deal with such a ridiculously unreliable mother?
"Mom, stop joking around.
I brought Mr. Li here to talk business."
She was so glad Roy wasn't here to hear all that—otherwise she'd have a major headache.
"Oh?"
Janet blinked, looked at Li Zhimou, then back at her daughter.
"So… not a new boyfriend?"
"Not!!"
Laila nearly exploded.
Li Zhimou had been a bit flustered at first, but seeing Laila's face turning red from frustration, he couldn't help but chuckle on the side.
He'd thought Laila was always poised, calm, and totally in control—he hadn't expected that even she had someone she couldn't handle.
"Well, here's the deal…"
He repeated the conversation he'd just had with Laila, summarizing their goals.
At first, he hadn't known what plan she was cooking up. But the moment he saw Janet, he caught on.
Who was Janet?
A leading figure in American—and even global—fashion.
The brand she created had become one of the most beloved among the upper class and Hollywood A-listers. Unless they were contractually obligated to wear another designer, every actress wanted to wear one of her creations for major events.
Her talent was indisputable. Her taste and fashion sense? Legendary.
Every year at Fashion Week, she brought unexpected trends that set the industry buzzing. Fashion insiders were always amazed—whatever Janet liked would inevitably become the next trend.
One highly respected fashion master once said:
"Janet doesn't follow trends.
She creates them.
When she appears at Fashion Week, her work is fashion."
Li Zhimou had guessed right—Laila had brought him here to introduce embroidery into Janet's designs, and through her influence, bring this art to the world stage.
And yes, that was exactly Laila's plan.
In her mind, embroidery needed exposure—but so did Xuanji Embroidery House.
The two goals weren't mutually exclusive. In fact, they complemented each other perfectly.
This was a brand-driven era.
A well-established brand could make significantly more profit—this was an undeniable fact.
And what Laila wanted to promote was hand embroidery specifically. Compared to it, machine embroidery didn't even deserve to be in the same conversation.
Mass production was simply out of reach for hand embroidery—and for Xuanji House as well.
Since they couldn't scale up production and expanding was tough, the only route left was to aim upward—toward elite, high-end platforms like Janet's couture line.
After hearing everything, Janet nodded in understanding.
"I've actually been thinking about this myself lately."
She rummaged through the towering pile of drafts beside her and pulled out several sheets.
"These are designs I've come up with over the past few days. Take a look."