Chapter 23: Los Angeles and New York

  As Harvey Weinstein once said, Ryan's life changed overnight, the taste of fame was sweet but also brought countless troubles, fire prevention, theft prevention and paparazzi prevention became his compulsory course.

  Three weeks after the release of "The Sixth Sense", the publisher took advantage of this hot wave and released the second book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets".

  The manuscript of this book was given to the publisher by Jin Silie very early on, so it was delayed until now in order to let the first book have a longer fermentation period. Without a doubt, the publisher chose the best timing, and a week later, this book smoothly appeared on the bestseller list.

  "Ryan, the publisher has called several times to ask when the third part can be completed?" Paige Kinley made a special trip to the apartment, apparently being urged by the publisher.

  After the release of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", the sales of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" also soared. It was clear to everyone that this was just the beginning of a huge series, and the little wizard wielding his magic wand gradually showed off his power, causing quite a stir in both England and America, especially in Britain, where the story is set in the United Kingdom.

  Despite many people's sarcastic remarks that this is just a weird boy's wild imagination, simply children's reading material, it cannot stop the rising sales and increasingly extensive influence.

  Of course, Ryan was in no hurry to publish the third part. He planned to put the completed manuscript on hold for a while, after all, his age was a big problem.

  Ryan is now having some trouble, of course not because of the paparazzi waiting outside his apartment, but because there are some small problems between him and Natalie who is far away in New York.

  Since the Los Angeles Times published that report, Natalie hasn't returned a single letter in over half a month. Even when he called her, it was always her parents who answered, and she would come up with all sorts of excuses to brush him off. Mr. Evner and Mrs. Sherry had both asked on the phone if they were having a fight.

  Quarrel? They almost quarreled every time they wrote letters or made phone calls, but Ryan actually didn't have many thoughts, it was just that the feeling of becoming friends with his favorite star from his previous life and watching her grow up step by step was really wonderful.

  Actually, from Natalie's past words and phrases, Ryan could more or less guess that a child as smart and precocious as her was not popular among her peers. The fact was just like he guessed, except for him, Natalie had almost no friends.

  And such a girl with her own pride and ambition, suddenly one day found that her only friend was standing in a place where she could only look up to, the kind of blow and loss can be imagined.

  Alright, you little rascal, I won't bother with you. Ryan glanced at the time, picked up the receiver and dialed a New York number.

  As soon as she walked into the house, Natalie took off her backpack and threw it onto the sofa. Her face was filled with discontent and unhappiness, as if she wanted to have a big argument with someone at any moment.

  "Bastard!"

  Looking at the letter in her hand, Natalie had an urge to crumple it up and throw it into the trash can, but after hesitating for a moment, she habitually opened the envelope.

  The familiar handwriting, the familiar tone and writing style, just like the four books she had bought back, only the letter lacked the sharpness of the past, but added some sincere apologies.

  Although she still felt a bit awkward in her heart, Natalie couldn't help but curve up the corners of her mouth after finishing reading the letter. She could totally imagine that annoying guy being extremely careful when writing it.

  Hmph! I still managed to overpower you! The girl's heart swelled with a small sense of pride.

  The phone in the living room rang at this time. Her parents were not at home, so Natalie had to put down the letter and answer the phone.

  "Hello, this is Herschelle."

  "Na... Nana?" The person on the other end of the phone seemed a bit hesitant, as if they weren't quite sure.

  "Ryan!" Natalie instinctively reached for the phone.

  "Wait, Nate."

  "Is there something wrong?" Natalie's words were clearly laced with venom.

  "I'm sorry, Nate..." Before he could finish, Natalie cut him off directly, "Ryan, you know that when kids lie, their noses grow longer!"

  "Alright, if it makes you happy, I'll be Pinocchio then, Your Highness Snow White!" Unable to openly defy her, Rynn quietly launched a counterattack.

  "Hmph!" Natalie snorted, but her eyes curved upwards. The guy in front of her was actually softening towards her for the first time.

  "Nate, are you still there?"

  "Hmm"

  "I know there are some things I shouldn't keep from you, but I had an agreement with Harvey Weinstein at Miramax, and there are some things that even I couldn't control..." It was clear that Ryan was again making excuses, shifting most of the blame to the publisher and film company. "You know, Nate, you're my only friend, and I don't want any unpleasantness between us."

  "Alright, Ryan, this time I'll let it slide. But if there's a next time, don't expect me to ever speak to you again." As Natalie heard the boy's words, she suddenly remembered the newspaper article about Ryan's background. Although at her age she couldn't imagine what life in an orphanage was like, she still felt that she shouldn't have treated him this way.

  "I promise, Nate, just ask."

  No matter what, this chapter is over. After exchanging a few more jabs out of habit, Natalie asked about Ryan's recent situation.

  "Never mind, I can only stay at home now. The school has already asked for a long vacation. Those crazy paparazzi are blocking the downstairs of my apartment building. Not to mention me and Nicole, even our neighbors have been harassed by them many times."

  "This is the price of fame!" Natalie sneered.

  "But I stepped onto the big screen and many people praised me for my great acting skills." Ryan naturally started to counterattack.

  "That's because they haven't seen me, Ryan Jenkins, yet! Just you wait and see, one day I'll surpass you!" Unbeknownst to her, Natalie was getting more and more worked up.

  "Well then, I'll be waiting with bated breath, dear Natalie." The voice on the other end was smug. "Even if you've surpassed me in acting skills, it's impossible for you to come up with that many stories."

  "A story? Ryan, you've got a lot of nerve. I've already read those four books, and they're just kids' stuff." Natalie said indignantly.

  "Really? You think it's a children's book too?" The guy on the phone was simply infuriating.

  "Ryan, you're quite good at writing stories and scripts, aren't you?" Natalie gritted her teeth.

  "That's for sure, in fact after finishing filming 'Sixth Sense', I completed two more screenplays." The person opposite was completely showing off.

  "Alright, Ryan, don't forget, you've deceived me twice." Natalie habitually pulled her hat back on. "To make up for the emotional trauma you've caused me, in the future you must write one hundred scripts for me!"

  "One... one hundred?"

  Hearing the astonished voice from the other end, Natalie finally felt a sense of satisfaction at her successful prank, and hastily said goodbye before hanging up the phone.

  Just then, the door creaked open and in walked Mrs. Shelley.

  "Nate, what's got you so excited? You haven't smiled like that in ages." Mrs. Sherry noticed the letter on the coffee table, "A letter from Ryan? Looks like you two have made up?"

  "Yes, mom. We didn't have much to begin with, just different views on some things." Natalie quickly picked up the letter and slung her backpack over her shoulder, "Mom, I'm going back to my room now."

  Mrs. Sherry sighed, she never thought that her daughter's only friend, the boy who had been to their home, could achieve such astonishing results.

  Back to her own little world, Natalie habitually walked around the photos hanging on the wall, these were all her photos when she was learning dance and performing in the troupe, but compared to dance, she still liked acting more.

  Although she still has a month to go before turning nine, she knows that she is different from other kids. She knows that she has ambitions and she knows what she likes and wants, so she has been working hard for it. For this reason, she even uses her school holidays to attend drama camps.

  Shaking her head, she dispersed the thoughts in her mind and couldn't help but think of that boy far away in Los Angeles. This boy, who was only one year older than her, had shown incredible acting skills in "The Sixth Sense", leaving her speechless. To be honest, she thought his performance was the best among all child stars, not at all exaggerated.

  If I put it in my own words, I'd say... well! She admitted that she had been a bit out of sorts and unhappy lately, first because her only friend had hidden so many things from her, and secondly because she was jealous!

  Who doesn't want to be the focus of attention, who doesn't want to be chased by the media, and who doesn't want to be a superstar shining brightly!

  Opportunities will always be there! Natalie told herself in her heart, Ryan, just you wait and see, I'll soon surpass you!

  Listening to the beeping sound on the phone, Ryan scratched the back of his head, not knowing why, but as soon as he got along with Natalie, he couldn't help but argue with her and show off proudly like a proud little peacock.

  One hundred scripts! Ryan rolled his eyes, of course he knew Natalie was joking and teasing him, but one hundred scripts were tough, ten would be no problem.

  Recalling that one meeting, Natalie was obviously much thinner than I had imagined. If she were to star in the movie now, her age would be an even more sensitive topic than before, so maybe it's better to wait a few years.

  Lü Ke? Beison now has a considerable reputation, it seems that he should let Jin Silie find his address, and must write the script before him and mail it to France!

  "Hmm! This is absolutely a good idea! The ruthless Ryan revealed a brilliant smile."