Los Angeles, 2000 — the filming set of The Fast and the Furious.
Luke sat in the break area, fiddling with a Nokia 3310 in his hand.
"The legendary phone that could crack walnuts… I really got reborn, huh?"
Even though it had already been over ten days since his rebirth, Luke still found it hard to believe.
He turned toward a nearby mirror. The reflection staring back at him was young, full of sharp confidence and energy. "Youth really is something," he muttered. "At this age, anything's possible."
This wasn't 2024 anymore — not the year he'd been stuck in bed, weak and near death, an old man who had wasted half his life.
Time had rewound to October 2000. He had just turned eighteen, and the movie he was working on, The Fast and the Furious, was about to wrap filming.
As someone reborn from the future, Luke knew full well how big this film would become.
This was the movie that would launch one of the most profitable franchises in Hollywood for the next two decades.
Unfortunately, as a -American, there was no chance for him to land a major role. He was just a background extra — another face in the crowd.
Was he really going to let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through his fingers?
No way. He refused to live another mediocre life like his last one.
His eyes swept across the set, burning with determination. He was waiting for his chance — even if he had to risk his life for it.
"I wonder how my uncle's talk with the director went… Guess I'll know after this scene wraps," he thought.
Right then, a car chase scene was underway.
Vroom—Vroom!
The roar of engines echoed as a black Dodge Charger and an orange Toyota Supra launched off a ramp into the air.
Bang!
They smashed through the wooden barrier ahead, debris flying everywhere as both cars landed cleanly and raced forward again.
A train thundered past just behind them, close enough to make anyone's heart stop.
"Cut!"
The director gave a thumbs up — one take, perfect.
A tall, muscular bald man climbed out of the black Charger and walked straight toward Luke.
It was Vin Diesel, 33 years old, playing the gang leader in the movie. Built like a linebacker, with tanned skin and a confident, rebellious aura, he looked more like an NFL player than an actor.
As he approached, Luke was humming softly.
🎵 "Hey-yo, hey-hey-hey-yo-hey… Nothing can stop me chasing my dreams…"
🎵 "The road ahead's unknown, but I'll face it head-on…"
"Uncle, what did the director say?" Luke asked.
"Nice song. Jackie Chan's, right?" Vin Diesel replied with a grin instead of answering right away.
"Yeah, it's A Hero Never Dies. You know it?"
"Of course. He's my idol. But if you're trying to be the next Jackie Chan… the road's gonna be rough, kid. If something happens to you, how am I supposed to face your parents' last wishes?"
His concern was genuine.
"I'm more afraid of living an ordinary life than of dying," Luke answered firmly.
"You already have a good start," Vin said. "Your movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon got great reviews at Cannes in May. It's about to hit theaters in both the U.S. and China. Why not play it safe for once?"
In this new life, Luke had discovered that fate had shifted slightly. The role of Lo Xiaohu in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon — which had belonged to another actor in his past life — was his this time.
That performance had already drawn attention to him.
He knew the movie would end up grossing over $200 million worldwide and win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film the next year — fame and fortune all in one go.
But Luke wasn't the type to sit around waiting for success. If he wanted to ride the wind, he had to create it himself.
With Bruce Lee long gone and Jackie Chan getting older, this was his moment to rise as the next global martial arts superstar. He couldn't back down.
"Uncle, I appreciate your concern," Luke said earnestly. "But life doesn't give us many chances to fight for our dreams. Please — help me."
Vin Diesel sighed. "Alright, the director agreed to let you try. But whatever happens, you take full responsibility."
He pulled out a waiver and handed it over.
It was a Liability Release Form — clearly stating that the dangerous stunt ahead was Luke's idea, and the production wouldn't be held accountable if anything went wrong.
Luke flipped through it quickly, then signed his name without hesitation.
"Okay," Vin said. "Let's go meet the director. Good luck, kid."
They walked over to where the crew was gathered.
"Our brave young man's here," the bald director said with a smile. "You sure you want to do this?"
Director and producer Rob Cohen — known for directing Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story — had always admired action stars. That was part of why he was willing to give Luke this shot.
The Fast and the Furious was all about adrenaline — high-speed races, quarter-mile duels, and roaring engines.
Cohen was proud of his car chase scenes, but he knew the truck hijacking sequences still looked too tame.
Originally, he was going to settle for mediocrity. Then this extra came up with an insane idea that could turn a good movie into a great one.
If it worked, it'd be a highlight — something to wow audiences and power up the film's marketing campaign.
But it was dangerous. Even reading the stunt plan made Cohen's palms sweat.
Maybe Jackie Chan in his prime could've done it… but this 18-year-old kid?
"Yes, Director. I'm ready," Luke said calmly.
"Alright," Cohen replied. "Then I'll be waiting for your miracle. Get ready — your scene's next."
Luke nodded and started warming up, mentally rehearsing every movement of the sequence.
The stunt took place during the opening heist scene — the street racers hijacking a semi-truck.
Originally, the plan was simple: one of the drivers would jump from a car window into the truck's cab and take control.
Boring. Predictable.
Luke's version? Much riskier — and much cooler.
He would leap from the back of a moving car onto the rear of the truck, then climb along the shaking trailer all the way to the front.
That kind of physical, high-intensity stunt would thrill audiences.
The second change was even crazier: no green screen, no CGI. He wanted a continuous real-life long shot — one take, no cuts.
If pulled off, it'd be one of the film's most unforgettable moments.
Sure, digital effects were already advanced by 2000, but nothing beat the raw energy of a real stunt.
Of course, real stunts meant real danger — broken bones, paralysis, or worse.
But so what? He'd already been paralyzed once in his past life.
Better to burn bright like fireworks than fade away unnoticed.
Luke exhaled slowly, his eyes focusing as golden text flashed across his vision:
> [Stunt Difficulty: D — Success Rate: 50%]
> [Complete this stunt to earn +1 Attribute Point]
He smirked.
This time, he was going all in.
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