Chapter 7: The Approaching Film Company

The moment Nicole Kidman thought about having stood up the renowned Tom Cruise for an entire morning, she couldn't help but want to hold her forehead. She never expected that just a trip to the supermarket would lead that big star to call her at home to ask her out, while that bastard Ryan, having agreed to pass on the message, pretended as if nothing had happened, and throughout the day, he didn't even bring it up.

"You have a crush on him, don't you? Nicole." Nicole Kidman, sitting across from Ryan, was momentarily taken aback by the question. "Don't deny it; I'm not a fool."

Thank you, Nicole

Ryan thought he would have to exert considerable effort to persuade Nicole, but he did not expect her to make a decision so quickly. This also revealed his position in her heart. In that moment, he had a thousand words to express, but in the end, it all condensed into a single sentence

Yes. Despite being in a state of confusion, Nicole still nodded.

Jinsili looked at Ryan, who was sitting still like a mountain, not moving at all. Without needing to ask, it was clear that this little guy had not informed Nicole about the script and their visit today. She could only explain, "Ryan gave me a script he created, which I submitted to Miramax. After Harvey reviewed it, he decided to purchase the script. I called this morning, and it seems Ryan must have forgotten to tell you."

"Were you doing it on purpose?" Nicole looked up at the unscrupulous young man, who showed no awareness of having made a mistake. Instead, he adopted a tone of certainty, "You did it on purpose! You did it on purpose the night before last too!"

"Come on, Nicole, that role is simply not suitable for you"

Correct me if I'm wrong, Harvey, Ryan is just over 9 years old, not yet 10.

"Ryan, what do you want to do?" Despite Nicole's repeated attempts to suppress her anger, this slow and measured question still sent chills down one's spine. "Do you know what consequences this will bring?"

I do not like him, I dislike him very much

Nicole said nothing further, but walked over and embraced him tightly. He felt her cool elegance, while she felt his warmth. In that moment, it seemed as if the entire world consisted only of the woman and the boy; she was his support, and he was her everything

I heard from Peter about the general content of this movie. The female lead is essentially just a decorative figure, only needing to showcase her charm and figure, leaving no room for acting skills to be displayed. Ryan paused for a moment and glanced at Nicole's cold and beautiful face. "You know, Nicole, you are already a bit too beautiful. Of course, that is a virtue, not a flaw. I can completely imagine that if you played this role, you would definitely be labeled as a decorative figure. At that point, trying to turn things around would be quite difficult. Are you really willing to be just a decorative figure?"

Even some scenes in the script, in her view, are clearly inspired by the life he experienced after meeting her; the mother and son in it are evidently the two of them, who rely on each other for support, not related by blood yet closer than family.

Weinstein took out the script and handed it to Nicole. As an outstanding businessman, having sufficient patience in the face of interests is a fundamental quality. While waiting, he quietly observed, especially the boy named Ryan

Ryan explained the reasons behind the matter to Nicole in just a few sentences. The script was written by him while he was in London and was later submitted to Pai Jinsili. Earlier in the morning, the other party had called, and he intentionally wanted to give her a surprise, thus keeping it a secret.

"Ryan, you little rascal, when did you start studying films again?" Just as the words left her mouth, Nicole recalled that during their time in London, this guy had bought quite a few books on film and screenwriting. Could it be that...

"Ryan ... ... " Nicole looked over.

With just this one sentence, Nicole assumed she understood the reason behind his actions. Without a second thought, she made a decision in her heart, "Alright, Ryan, since you don't like him, I will try to limit my interactions with him."

Well, you must at least explain the reason

Of course

But why do these touching scenes appear in a thriller script? Perhaps it is related to Ryan's lingering dark memories. Nicole sighed inwardly, suddenly feeling that her concern for him was still insufficient

They all move in the same circle, seeing each other frequently. Pai Jin Silly can barely be considered a friend of his.

Nicole felt a headache for the first time due to Ryan's precocity. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded and said, "I do have some feelings, but just a little."

She has never underestimated the intelligence of this boy, and at times even feels that Ryan is smarter than herself. She absolutely does not believe that he cannot see that doing so would ruin her audition.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Weinstein got straight to the point, "Miss Kidman, may I ask if you are Ryan's guardian"

Certainly, judging by the somewhat cold tone when Tom Cruise hung up the phone with *Tu*, it is evident that the matter has already fallen through

Ryan never intended to deceive Nicole. He simply shrugged his shoulders, acknowledging the situation. Since he had already done it, the worst that could happen was being grounded. A dead pig is not afraid of boiling water.

"It is like this, Miramax Films has decided to acquire the script for 'The Sixth Sense'..." Before Harvey Weinstein could finish his sentence, Nicole interrupted, "Script? 'The Sixth Sense'? What script?"

The black Cadillac slowly came to a stop in the small parking lot in front of the apartment. In the back seat of the car, a middle-aged man with some Jewish features, round-faced and portly, looked at the woman beside him and asked once again, "Pat, did this script really come from the hands of a ten-year-old child?"

"Who says I don't understand movies?" Ryan's nostrils are almost pointing towards the ceiling

Well... thank you, Nicole

The image of a red-haired monkey suddenly flashed before Ryan's eyes, causing him to shudder involuntarily, and he quickly shook his head to stop his wild thoughts.

It is truly a pity about this opportunity. The duck that was almost within reach has flown away, and Nicole cannot help but feel a sense of regret

Ryan's words left Nicole momentarily stunned; after living together for several years, it was the first time she had heard him so overtly express his likes and dislikes.

Nicole Kidman sat on the sofa with a sullen expression, exuding a cold and sharp demeanor akin to an iceberg. Despite feeling very angry, she did not utter a single harsh word. On one hand, she believed that Ryan, sitting opposite her, would only treat her words as background noise; on the other hand, she was also reluctant to scold him.

Although Ryan's words were somewhat unpalatable, how could Nicole Kidman not understand the underlying truth? She was simply eager for a project to break new ground in Hollywood and establish a foothold. However, after hearing these words, her first thought was not of herself

The doorbell rang with a "ding-dong" sound. Just as Nicole was about to get up to open the door, Ryan jumped up from the sofa and quickly dashed to the front door.

Ryan, if you don't like it in the future, please tell me directly, okay? Don't make me worry

Is further research really necessary? Don't forget, I am a genius

If it were not for Tom Cruise calling again after waiting for nearly a morning, I fear I would still be kept in the dark

Ryan, who was not yet ten years old, climbed out of Nicole's embrace and struck a somewhat comical pose as if to say they needed to have a serious talk. Such conversations often occurred between the two, and Nicole didn't mind. "Ryan, I know you are both intelligent and precocious, but do you really understand movies?"

With her question, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became somewhat strange, as the gazes of Nicole Kidman and Harvey Weinstein almost simultaneously fell upon Pae Kinsley, clearly expecting her to provide an explanation

He appears somewhat frail and thin, and his behavior seems a bit erratic based on what just transpired. However, those sky-blue eyes are exceptionally bright, occasionally revealing a maturity and wisdom not typical for his age. Perhaps this time there will indeed be significant gains.

As they walked towards the apartment, Harvey Weinstein couldn't help but say a few more words, to which Ms. Ginsburg responded with an understanding smile, "Harvey, in fact, after you see that boy, you won't have such thoughts anymore"

The script is not particularly thick, at most around one hundred pages. Nicole has read many of Ryan's works and is extremely familiar with his writing style, allowing her to browse through it very quickly. However, the more she reads, the more uncomfortable she feels. The lonely and helpless boy, who needs care and warmth, is clearly Ryan before the age of seven, and that single mother unmistakably reflects her own image.

If the events that occurred the night before last only raised her suspicions, then with the addition of what happened today, if she still cannot see that this little fellow is scheming and premeditated, then she would truly be a fool

Dear, you startled me a bit. I know that while in London, you read many books on screenwriting, but I didn't expect..." Nicole's hand moved a few times unconsciously, as if unsure of what to say. After gathering her thoughts, she looked at the man across from her and said, "I apologize, Mr. Weinstein, may I first take a look at that script?"

Nicole, I just wanted to give you a surprise, alright, I apologize

"Hi, Pat, you finally made it," Ryan first greeted the female agent, then turned to look at the large man behind her. Although he differed somewhat from the image he had in mind, he recognized him instantly.

Is that so? He knows a bit about Jin Sili's situation. Since she can praise him so highly, perhaps the boy named Ryan is indeed exceptional. Then I shall wait and see

I am simply a bit surprised; this is too incredible. Although this story is related to children, a film filled with loneliness and familial affection does not seem like something a child could write.

"Hello, Ryan, and Nicole." As they entered the small living room of the apartment, Pai Kinsley began the introductions, "This is Mr. Harvey Weinstein from Miramax Films. Harvey, these two are Ryan Jenkins and Nicole Kidman."