Due to Ryan's intelligence and maturity, Nicole had rarely directly intervened in his matters unless absolutely necessary. This time, taking it upon herself to reject something on his behalf was a first.
Harvey Weinstein didn't persist. After all, this was Hollywood—anyone could be replaced. But that didn't mean he gave up. Before leaving, he said, "If you change your mind, feel free to contact me."
No matter what, Nicole was his guardian. Ryan understood very clearly that as long as she continued to object, there was almost no room for negotiation. He also knew that Nicole acted this way simply to protect him—to give him a complete childhood, allowing him to grow up happy.
However, he had been planning for this for over three years, pouring almost all of his time and energy into it. Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, if he were to miss it just like that, he might as well go to Southampton and board the Titanic.
"Ryan, what do you think?" asked his agent. Unlike the tunnel-visioned Nicole, she could more or less guess some of Ryan's thoughts.
Ryan didn't answer. Instead, he returned to his room and retrieved the envelope containing the script, handing it to Kinsley. "Pat, this is my latest work, and…"
He glanced at Nicole, who was sitting quietly to the side, then leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Can you go back for now? I want to talk to Nicole alone."
"Alright then." Although she couldn't resist wanting to say something, after thinking it over, Kinsley chose to leave.
The living room fell silent again. The boy and the woman sat opposite each other without speaking. Just like that—you look at me, I look at you. But their pairs of blue eyes were locked onto each other, seemingly engaging in a silent exchange only they could understand.
"Ryan, do you really want to become an actor?" Perhaps a few minutes passed, or maybe it was much longer, but Nicole Kidman finally broke the silence. "Don't deny it. I can feel how tempted you are."
After all, they had been depending on each other for years. It was no surprise that Nicole could read his heart in such a short time. Ryan first smiled, then nodded slowly but firmly.
There was no need to deny it, right? This script had been meticulously selected—not just for himself, but also for Nicole. In his past life, another Australian woman had earned widespread acclaim at the age of twenty-six for this very role. So why couldn't Nicole Kidman, whom he regarded as no less capable, achieve the same?
Yes, Nicole was younger than that woman and had the classic "flower vase" appearance. But with makeup and post-production, her looks could be toned down. Portraying a strong, resilient single mother across an age gap—if successful—would bring immense praise.
As for failure? That possibility did exist, but Ryan firmly believed that as long as he stood in front of Nicole, those emotions the character was meant to express would not be an issue.
From certain perspectives, Ryan could be considered a person with a conscience. Since Nicole had taken him in during his darkest, most difficult times and spoiled him, it was only right that he repaid her. Perhaps in other areas he couldn't help her much—maybe even just got in the way—but helping her rise to an even greater height than she had in his previous life? That, he might be able to do.
"Ryan, you know, when I read the stories you wrote, I thought you'd become an outstanding writer one day. When you could fluently speak Chinese and French, I imagined you'd make a great diplomat. And last year, when you composed your first piece of music, I told myself, maybe Ryan will become a musician."
Nicole sighed and began analyzing things for Ryan. "You're precocious, intelligent, far more mature than most children. Though your personality is a bit solitary and you rarely interact with your peers—and sometimes cause a few incidents—in my heart, you've always been exceptional."
"Yes, with more of your works coming out, you're bound to be in the spotlight sooner or later. But that absolutely shouldn't be now. You have to understand—being an actor and being a writer are completely different professions. Even if you become just an average actor, with your writing achievements, those reporters and paparazzi will definitely dig into every detail of your past and scrutinize them under a magnifying glass. Public figures have no private life."
"I may not be able to give you a complete family or enough love, but at the very least, I can give you a complete childhood. Hollywood is not as simple as you think. Becoming famous young is not a good thing."
"I understand what you're saying, Nicole." Since this was a conversation between equals, Ryan naturally had the right to express his views. "In Hollywood, becoming famous at a young age often means the beginning of corruption. But it's not just people like Drew Barrymore—there are also role models like Jodie Foster. Not everyone gets lost in the pursuit of fame and fortune."
"Alright, let me ask you, Ryan." Nicole paused to think, then asked, "Can you handle being chased by reporters and paparazzi, dealing with their endless provocations and intrusive questions without losing your temper? Can you adapt to a life without privacy and with little sense of security? Can you manage complex interpersonal relationships and be tactful in this circle? Can you remain undistracted in the face of overwhelming criticism and slander?"
"Maybe I can't do all that right now, but after some time, I'll be able to handle it. You know I have enough capability and intelligence to face all of it." Ryan appeared extremely confident.
Although this kind of conversation had happened many times before, this time Nicole Kidman felt an unusually strong illusion—she felt like she wasn't talking to a child or a precocious kid, but having a debate with a peer.
Oh God, this is crazy. Maybe I should get Ryan's IQ tested, Nicole thought subconsciously. But she still said, "Yes, Ryan, I've never doubted your intelligence. Sometimes I even wonder if I'm talking to a thirty-year-old. But that's not a reason for me to let you step into that vanity fair."
Ryan subtly curled his lips. He certainly didn't think Nicole was doubting him. His out-of-the-box thinking was nothing new to her. But Nicole's words had revealed a subtle hint of looseness, so naturally, he wanted to strike while the iron was hot.
"Nicole, don't you think that in life we need to keep trying new things, keep breaking through ourselves, and pursue our own world and ideals?"
"Ideals? There's often an entire Atlantic Ocean between ideals and reality."
"But if someone has no ideals, how are they any different from a salted fish?" Ryan blurted out the phrase without thinking, leaving Nicole stunned. "What does salted fish have to do with ideals?"
"Never mind that, Nicole. I know what you're most worried about. So tell me, if I run into setbacks and failures, will you still give me a warm embrace like you do now?"
"Of course."
"Do you think setbacks or blows would crush someone like me?"
"No."
"Then do you think that once I succeed, I'll become unruly, reckless, party all night, and stop respecting you? Or that I'll become a drunk, a drug addict, a messed-up boy?"
"No! I've never thought that way." Nicole's face darkened unknowingly. "God, Ryan, where did you even learn all this nonsense? Don't tell me it was from school."
"Oh, come on, Nicole." Ryan waved his hand, knowing he had been a bit showy earlier. "It's the modern era. TV, newspapers, magazines—they're full of this stuff. Don't forget, when we were in London, the Sun you subscribed to was almost all gossip and scandals."
Ryan's clever deflection worked wonders. Nicole was left speechless by his last remark.
"Alright, Nicole, it's really not a big deal." Seeing Nicole's expression darken more and more, Ryan quickly tried to comfort her.
"Ryan, why do I feel like I'm not your sister, but more like you're my older brother?" Nicole Kidman asked, confused, raising her head.
Ain't that the truth. In both past and present lives combined, I'm more than qualified to be your big brother, Ryan muttered in his heart, then swiftly changed the subject. "So, Nicole, do you agree to let me play this role? The mother and child in the script mean something very special to me."
To enhance his persuasion, Ryan had to start fabricating again—and Nicole was especially susceptible to this kind of sentiment. Just thinking about the script, the strong and resilient mother and the lonely, helpless boy, always made her emotional.
Maybe things won't turn out as badly as I imagine. Using this film to commemorate the deep bond between Ryan and me might be a wise decision.
"Alright, Ryan, I agree. But…" Before she could finish, the excited boy jumped into Nicole's arms and planted a big kiss on her fair, cold face. "I knew it, I knew it! Nicole, you're the best!"
Nicole Kidman helplessly hugged Ryan, then delivered the warning she hadn't finished earlier. "Ryan, remember everything you said just now. If one day you become a bad guy, I absolutely won't forgive you."
"Of course, of course," Ryan nodded rapidly, patting his chest in assurance. "The future Ryan Jenkins will definitely be a five-star model youth!"
And just like that, the matter of the two of them co-starring in The Sixth Sense was settled. As for the details, Pat Kinsley and the lawyers would negotiate with Miramax. All they had to do now was wait.