Chapter Sixteen Encounter

  "The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution, designed by French sculptor Bartholdi over a period of ten years, symbolizing the spirit of freedom..."

  Standing at the very top inside the Statue of Liberty, Nicole chattered away like a beautiful female tour guide.

  Ryan and Nicole have been to the Big Apple for two days, visiting many famous attractions, watching colorful neon advertisements in Times Square, shopping at high-end stores on Fifth Avenue, watching plays on Broadway, and experiencing the urban forest in Central Park.

  After passing Hudson River, the two of them returned to Manhattan all the way. Anyway, they came out for a walk and play, and they didn't have a clear plan or goal. Basically, they went wherever they wanted to go, and as for repeating routes, they simply didn't care.

  "Ryan, how did you stop?" Nicole felt a sudden weight in her hand and realized that the boy holding her hand had suddenly stood still. "The Twin Towers are one of the tallest buildings in the world, and from the observation deck on the top floor, you can see almost half of New York City. Don't you want to go?"

  "Nicole, let's not go, I don't like the Twin Towers."

  Although it's already 1990, the shadow of his past life cannot be shaken off. Even if Ryan were to die, he would not enter the World Trade Center. "Let's go to the Empire State Building instead."

  "Alright then."

  The Empire State Building is located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, was built in 1930, and along with the Statue of Liberty at Hudson River mouth, is a symbol of the Big Apple, especially its top light, world-renowned.

  When Ryan arrived at the observation deck on the 86th floor, he gazed out into the distance, in the direction of Long Island.

  "What's on your mind?" Nicole asked as she saw him spacing out a bit.

  "What's up?" Ryan came to, remembering the unfinished script related to the Empire Building. "Nico, I heard from Pete that a producer has approached you with an offer?"

  "Yes." Nicole nodded.

  Unlike the previous generation, "Beyond the Horizon" landed in the United States earlier and more interestingly, it was Miramax that introduced this film to North America. As the movie entered theaters, Nikki gradually gained some fame in Hollywood, and some producers began to send out invitations.

  "Unfortunately, they are all vase roles." With her experience in "The Sixth Sense", Nicole's eyes have also become more discerning.

  "I've already prepared the next script for you." Between the two of them, there was nothing that couldn't be said.

  "Really? Why didn't I know?" Nicole raised an eyebrow, "What's going on?"

  "It's related to the Empire State Building, and it's still too early to finish." Ryan thought for a moment, then said, "I'd like to give you some advice, don't take on any film roles before 'The Sixth Sense' is released."

  "Why?"

  "After 'The Sixth Sense', your value will definitely skyrocket."

  "You little devil, are you so confident?" Nicole didn't confirm or deny, stroking his wind-blown hair, "The script, I have to take a look at it anyway. If it's not to my liking, I won't accept the role."

  "In your home in Los Angeles, go find it yourself when you get back." Ryan smiled slightly. The script he wrote was not something Nicky would casually flip through unless he invited her to do so, which also counted as respecting his privacy.

  Not far from Manhattan, and also a famous resort, Long Island has attracted many people to settle here, especially after World War II, a large number of middle-class Jews and wealthy people moved over, among whom many came from Jerusalem.

  After making a round in Winnie the Pooh Park, Ryan pulled Nikki into the dessert shop at the park entrance. Probably because it was the weekend, there were many people in the store, mostly parents with their children. Only one table in the corner had empty seats left. After ordering two Black Forest cakes and two glasses of orange juice, Ryan and Nikki sat down at that table.

  "The taste is okay, but it's too sweet." These desserts are often the arch-nemesis of women who love beauty, and Nicole had only taken a few bites before putting down her fork.

  "No! No! No! I want it all vegetarian!" A clear and crisp female voice came from the direction of the counter, "Thank you, give me another cup of hot orange juice!"

  The girl carried a small tray, turned her head and looked around the store, finally walking towards Ryan's table.

  "May I sit here?" the girl asked very politely, showing excellent manners.

  Ryan had been talking in a low voice with Nicole until he noticed the girl's arrival, and when he turned his head and saw her for that instant, his eyes were fixed, but he quickly lowered his eyelids to cover up the turbulent emotions inside.

  "Of course!" Ryan replied with equal politeness, and no one could detect any change in his emotions. It has to be said that nearly a decade of role-playing had unknowingly put on a veil over his face.

  "Thank you!" The girl sat down beside him.

  Ryan glanced at her with the corner of his eye, her medium-long hair was a deep brown color and slightly curly, her goose-egg-shaped face with angular features wasn't particularly cute, but still had a bit of baby fat, a pair of brown eyes shone with intelligent light, the small mole on her cheek not only didn't detract from her appearance, but even added to her temperament.

  Although she looked much younger than he had imagined, after all, she was his favorite female star. He had seen all her public photos and in an instant, he was certain that it was her.

  "Hello, I'm Ryan Jenkins!" Ryan introduced himself very calmly.

  "Hello!" The girl nodded slightly and said faintly, "Natalie Hershell."

  Ryan didn't say anything else, nor did he do anything else. He could see that the girl had a faint sense of vigilance. If what he had read in those materials wasn't too far-fetched, this girl's maturity and intelligence would far exceed her age and appearance.

  Without changing his expression, Ryan finished the cake and said to the girl beside him before leaving, "Miss Natalie, nice meeting you, well... see you later!"

  "What a strange boy!" Looking at the boy and girl walking out of the store, Natalie shook her head and continued to savor her own food.

  About half an hour later, Natalie walked out of the dessert shop, riding her own small bicycle, heading home. They had moved to Long Island not long ago, and as a Jewish girl born in Jerusalem, her conservative doctor father recently asked her to develop strict vegetarian habits, which she said was neither good nor bad, since it was a family requirement, she could only follow suit.

  Winnett Park was not far from her home, but just as she turned onto the street in front of her house, something unexpected happened.

  Perhaps only God knows what happened, when turning a corner, a familiar kid shouted at her from the side rear, Natalie inexplicably turned her head back, and then, the bicycle collided with a boy by the roadside, that unlucky boy was directly knocked to the ground by her.

  "Damn it!" Ryan cursed under his breath. This was an unexpected disaster. He had simply been standing here with his head down, waiting for Nicole to return from the convenience store, when a careless cyclist crashed into him. To think that this road was wide enough for four cars to drive side by side without any issues!

  "Sorry, are you okay?"

  Judging from the voice, it seemed to be a girl. Ryan came up with an impatient sentence, "Not dead yet, just broke her leg."

  "Ah~"

  "Huh? The voice sounds kind of familiar?" Ryan lifted his head up and widened his eyes in surprise.

  "Is it you?"

  As if they had telepathy, the two spoke in unison.

  "Has your leg been broken?" Natalie asked timidly.

  Ryan sighed and rolled his eyes, "Just kidding."

  Natalie imperceptibly pursed her lips, but after all, she was the one who had done something wrong, so she apologized again, "You're Ryan Jenkins, right? I'm extremely sorry, it's my fault for being too careless."

  "Ryan, what's wrong?" As soon as she came out of the convenience store, Nicole saw Ryan sitting on the ground with a bicycle lying next to him, and quickly ran over.

  "Nate, what's going on?"

  A Ford also stopped by the side of the road at this time, and a middle-aged couple got out of the car and walked over.

  It was as if they were filming a movie, with both sides' supporters arriving instantly. Natalie didn't hesitate and quickly explained what had happened.

  Ryan wasn't hurt, thanks to the physique he had developed from crawling around in the orphanage, but Natalie's parents still invited him and Nicole over to their house just a short distance away to check them out carefully, since Natalie's father was a doctor.

  "Mr. Evner, it's just a scratch." Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Ryan glanced at his slightly swollen knee and didn't care.

  "Sorry, Ryan, I was too rash." Natalie apologized again under her father's stern gaze.

  "It's okay. Nat, may I call you that? Thanks." Ryan chimed in with a smile, "Mr. Evner, don't blame Nat for this, I'm also responsible."

  Nikki sat beside Ryan, gently massaging his knee, and seeing that there was nothing wrong with it, helped him put down the pant leg he had rolled up. After all, this was just an accident, and Ryan hadn't been hurt. The one who caused the trouble was a younger girl, so she couldn't say anything more.

  "Jerusalem! So you were born in Israel?"

  Just as Nicole was chatting with the Hershlers, Ryan had already gotten Natalie's number, no question she was smart and precocious, but up against Ryan, still too green.

  "Yes, we just moved to New York not long ago." Natalie said while carefully examining the boy's appearance, "Ryan, are you Jewish too? I see some Jewish features in your looks."

  As expected, she's a meticulous and clever girl! Ryan thought to himself.

  To be honest, he didn't know what his ancestry was either, but based on Principal Katie's inference from his appearance, he should have some Nordic blood, and the shape of his eyebrows and eyes also had a hint of Jewish characteristics.

  Anyway, in the end, Ryan summed it up himself, that is, a mixed-blood person can't be a little devil of mixed blood.