“Ryan, do you really want to become an actor?” Maybe a few minutes had passed, or maybe it had been a long time, but Nicole Kidman was the first to speak. “Don’t deny it, I can feel that you’re tempted.”

After all, they had depended on each other for years, so it was no surprise that Nicole Carter could see what he was thinking in such a short time. Ryan first smiled, then nodded slowly but firmly.

There was no need to deny it, was there? He had carefully selected this script, not just for himself, but also for Nicole Carter. Since, in his previous life, another Australian woman had received widespread acclaim at the age of twenty-six for this role, then why couldn’t Nicole Kidman, who in his eyes was in no way inferior, achieve the same?

Yes, Nicole Carter was younger than that woman, and had the classic looks of a “pretty face,” but with makeup and post-production, her appearance could easily be made less striking. If she could cross the age gap to play a strong, independent single mother, the praise she would receive upon success was easy to imagine.

As for failure, of course that was possible, but Ryan firmly believed that as long as he stood in front of Nicole Carter, would the emotions this character was meant to express still be a problem?

In some ways, Ryan was still a person with a conscience. Since Nicole Carter had taken him in during his darkest and hardest times, and even spoiled him, he naturally wanted to repay her. Maybe he couldn’t help her much in other ways, or might even just cause trouble, but helping her rise to a higher position than in his previous life, and doing it faster, was still possible.

“Ryan, you know, when I saw the stories you wrote, I thought you’d become an outstanding writer in the future. When you could speak Chinese and French fluently, I thought maybe you’d make a good diplomat. Last year, when you composed your first piece of music on your own, I told myself, maybe Ryan could become a musician.”

Nicole Carter sighed and began to analyze things for Ryan. “You’re precocious, smart, far more mature than ordinary children. Although you’re a bit withdrawn and hardly interact with your peers, and sometimes get into trouble, in my heart, you’ve always been the best.”

“Yes, as you write more and more works, you’ll eventually be exposed to the spotlight, but that definitely shouldn’t be now. You have to understand, being an actor and being a writer are two completely different professions. Even if you only become an ordinary actor, with your achievements in writing, those reporters and paparazzi will dig up every single thing from your past and examine it under a magnifying glass. Public figures have no private life.”

“Although I can’t give you a complete family or enough love, at least I can give you a complete childhood. Hollywood isn’t as simple as you imagine. Becoming famous at a young age is not a good thing.”

“I understand what you mean, Nicole Carter.” Since this was an equal conversation, Ryan certainly had the right to express his own opinion. “In Hollywood, becoming famous young often means the beginning of a downfall. But there’s not only Drew Barrymore, who got into drugs, there are also role models like Jodie Foster. Not everyone loses themselves in this vanity fair.”

“All right then, let me ask you, Ryan.” Nicole Carter thought for a moment and asked, “Can you handle being chased by reporters and paparazzi, and not lose your temper when faced with their shameless harassment and questions? Can you adapt to a life with no privacy and little sense of security? Can you manage complex relationships and be smooth and tactful in this circle? Can you stay focused when faced with overwhelming criticism and scolding?”

“Maybe I can’t do all that right now, but after a period of adjustment, none of that will be a problem for me.” Ryan appeared extremely confident. “You should know, I have enough ability and intelligence to handle all of this.”

Although conversations like this had happened many times before, this time Nicole Kidman had an unusually strong illusion—she felt she wasn’t talking to a child, or even a child with independent thinking, but debating with a peer.

God, this is crazy. Maybe I should have Ryan take an IQ test. Nicole Carter thought subconsciously, but still said, “Yes, Ryan, I’ve never doubted your intelligence. In fact, I sometimes wonder if I’m talking to a thirty-year-old. But that can’t be the reason I let you step into that world of fame and fortune.”

Ryan discreetly curled his lips. Of course he didn’t think Nicole Carter was doubting him—after all, his unconventional way of thinking was nothing new to her. But since he sensed a hint of wavering in Nicole Carter’s words, he naturally wanted to press his advantage.

“Nicole Carter, don’t you think that in life, you have to keep trying new things, keep breaking through yourself, and pursue your own world and ideals?”

“Ideals? Ideals are often an ocean away from reality.”

“But if a person has no ideals, how are they any different from a salted fish?” Ryan blurted out without thinking, leaving Nicole Carter momentarily stunned. “What does having ideals have to do with salted fish?”