Chapter 17 ends filming

  How can you get close to someone you've just met? There may be many ways, but having common interests and hobbies, discussing topics she's interested in, is undoubtedly a good idea.

  "Yes, I started learning dance at the age of three and performed in a theater troupe. Even now, I often participate in community theater performances, and during holidays, I also attend drama camps." Under Ryan's subtle guidance, the conversation quickly shifted to performing, discussing their experiences on stage, Natalie's eyes sparkled, and her chin rose slightly without realizing it.

  "Which one do you like better, dancing or acting?" Ryan asked.

  "Performance!" Natalie gave this answer without thinking, and then asked back, "Ryan, are you also interested in performance?"

  Ryan shrugged, but didn't answer immediately. He and Natalie were in a corner of the living room, while on the other side of the sofa, Nicole was chatting with the Hershlers about something. It was actually quite interesting to see these people from different past lives gathered together.

  "Hey, Ryan, I'm talking to you?" Natalie said with a scrunched up nose.

  It turns out that this guy, who is only one year older than her, is quite interesting and much better than those kids in school and the neighbors' houses. Not only is he not childish, but he's also mature like a little adult. Especially when it comes to topics of conversation between the two of them, he always manages to hit the nail on the head, and most of the time, the topics he brings up are things she's interested in.

  There is just one thing that's not so good - he seems to have a hard time concentrating and often gets distracted.

  "Huh?" Ryan scratched his head, "What?"

  "Are you also interested in performing?" Natalie ground her teeth, proudly raising her pointed chin, "You don't seem to have any experience with performing either."

  "Can you see this too?" Ryan deliberately rolled his eyes.

  "Really?" Natalie seemed to be arguing with him.

  "Actually I'm filming a movie, or else why would I be coming from LA to the East Coast?" Ryan said nonchalantly, as if it was no big deal.

  "Movie? Filming?" Natalie's eyes widened, followed by a skeptical look, "Come on, Ryan, I'm not an idiot, you can't fool me."

  "It's true, don't believe me, ask Nicole then." Ryan pointed to the center of the living room. "Do you know her? Nicole Kidman, a famous Australian movie star, is starring in 'Bewitched' which is currently showing in North America. You can just make a phone call and ask the cinema to verify it."

  Natalie wouldn't normally be so bored, but after hearing Ryan say that, she gradually believed it 70%, but still didn't feel convinced. After all, everyone who had seen her perform said she was a genius, and being surpassed by someone of the same age was unacceptable. "Is it because of Nicole's relationship that you played a small role with no lines in there?"

  "Oh, Nate, that's a low blow." Ryan looked hurt.

  "Hmm"

  Ryan and Nicole didn't stay for long, excusing themselves before dinner. Although he had a few verbal sparring matches with Natalie, they still managed to have an enjoyable conversation, especially when Natalie unknowingly revealed many things about herself. This girl was just like the ones he had seen in his past life - too smart and mature for her age, unpopular among her peers, and without many friends.

  With just a small effort, Ryan got her home phone number and mailing address, and explicitly stated that today's topic of art has not been settled, and after returning to Los Angeles, he will write to her and must refute her.

  At this age, kids are most competitive and Natalie wouldn't back down, saying she would show him in her letter.

  For the first time, Nicole saw someone of the same age as Ryan who could get along with him, and she was a little happy. To be sure, although she had never mentioned it before, she had always been worried that Ryan's lack of interaction with people of the same age would be very detrimental to his growth. And this girl named Natalie, she had also observed her, and indeed she was very smart.

  Is it that smart kids only hang out with other smart kids? This was a thought that Nicole had blurted out unintentionally after returning to Philadelphia.

  The trip to New York allowed Ryan to keep something hidden deep within him, but this shoot brought it back up, only to be pushed back down into the darkest depths of his heart.

  After meeting Natalie and then talking to her on the phone before leaving New York, Ryan began to get rid of that bad state where he often couldn't tell dreams from reality. Since he was already living in this world, why bother with all that from his past life? If he continued like this, who knows when he would split personalities and become a mental patient.

  Entering mid-November, the film began wrapping up work. Ryan followed the crew, sometimes shooting on streets, sometimes entering churches, and at times becoming a problem student, even performing a scene of King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone on stage in the movie.

  After about a month of experience, Ryan's condition stabilized a lot, and the problem of being difficult to get out of character was also solved to a considerable extent. At least there will be no more situations where he can't get out of character and Nicole has to come and help him. His perfect performance almost got unanimous praise from people like David Fincher and Al Pacino.

  "David, you won't complain about the actors I've chosen now, will you?"

  Between takes, Harvey Weinstein and David Fincher were exchanging words, Mr. Pudgy still remembers the complaints of David Fincher at that time, the actress is too beautiful like a vase, the little boy he has never seen before, it's uncertain whether he will become a disaster for this movie.

  "But now I have to say, Nicole Kidman is too beautiful, of course, her acting skills and appearance are equally excellent. As for Ryan, I really want to ask you, Harvey, where did you find this ** from? I believe that after the release of this movie, everyone will mention him together with Jodie Foster!"

  David Fincher let out a sigh of relief, he suddenly felt that this film could become his own work, it must be the favor of the goddess of luck.

  Patting David Fincher's arm, Harvey Weinstein walked off to the other side. During this time, he had carefully gone through all of Ryan's published books. Although they were all stories full of childlike fun, there was no doubt that they were extremely brilliant. To be precise, these should be classified as all-ages, most importantly, these stories are extremely suitable for film adaptation.

  He even thought that the boy had already figured out what he wanted to do in the future when writing these stories!

  This is a gold mine! No, it's clearly an island filled with countless treasures of gold and silver!

  Ryan stretched out a long and lazy waist, if it was an ordinary child, after experiencing such a dull shooting and work, he would have been spiritually discouraged and tired of yawning.

  Similarly, Ryan was also somewhat tired, but he clearly felt that this seemingly weak body of his was far stronger than he had imagined.

  There were several times when filming night scenes exceeded midnight, but after a night's rest, he would be refreshed and full of energy the next day.

  In fact, this situation has been apparent in recent years. Otherwise, where would he get so much energy to plagiarize so many works?

  "...She wants me to tell you that she's going to watch you dance!" The mother in the driver's seat turned around incredulously, the boy's emotional and slightly hoarse voice didn't stop, "Grandma said that when you were little, you had a fight with her right before performing a dance..."

  As the boy spoke, his mother slowly covered her mouth, unaware of when tears had welled up in her eyes, and finally couldn't help but burst into tears.

  The boy looked at her, "Grandma's answer is... every day!"

  Looking at his mother who was covering her face and crying, the boy asked, "What did you ask her then?"

  The sobbing mother struggled to suppress her excitement, her hands unconsciously placed on her chest, "I... did I make her proud?!"

  The boy's lips moved slightly, as if saying "Mom", and also seemed to be saying "Nico". The two people in the car could no longer suppress their excitement, tightly hugging each other, with thick affection filling every corner of the vehicle.

  "Great!" David Finch clenched his fist tightly, then subconsciously touched his slightly sour nose, and suddenly felt that he should call his parents after the shooting ended today.

  Others were no better than the director, and a few emotional people were even secretly wiping away tears. This shot was so perfect, yet so touching, but not one person applauded, because the brother and sister were still tightly hugging each other.

  "Nicole!" Ryan exclaimed with all his might, embracing the woman who loved him wholeheartedly. "I love you! You're the best thing that's ever happened to me in this world!"

  "I love you too, Ryan!" Nicole rubbed the boy's occipital region with force until his light brown hair was messed up like a bird's nest, and she still couldn't bear to let go.

  This was Ryan and Nicole's last shot, although the film still had a small distance from being finished shooting, but after this, they could leave Philadelphia and return to Los Angeles.

  It's not going to work if he doesn't go back, St. John's Primary School has called several times, saying that Ryan's leave of absence is too long, and if he can't return to school before December, he will have to repeat the grade in the new academic year. Even if he goes back now, there is still a test waiting for him.

  Of course, all these would be child's play for Ryan, and tests at this age level wouldn't even enter his line of sight.

  That night, the crew held a small party to bid farewell to the two of them. Compared to Nicole Kidman, who was somewhat cold and aloof, Ryan was more popular in the crew, although he would occasionally cause some trouble and loved to tease people, but almost everyone acknowledged him.

  Especially Al Pacino, who was fooled by the boy the most times, but had the best relationship with Ryan, and deliberately gave him a purple crystal lucky stone when he left.