Chapter 2

The outside world is full of wonders, yet it is also full of helplessness. Ryan, penniless and having been confined for over half a month, looked every bit the little vagrant. After being repeatedly refused the use of the public phone by the convenience store owner, he gave up the idea of contacting his lawyer immediately.

He knew nothing about Los Angeles and could only determine direction by the sun. In his confusion and helplessness, Ryan set foot on the only road he remembered, the one leading to the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Not having money to make a call was not a problem; he could seek help from the police.

Perhaps all his luck had been used up when he escaped the welfare home. Until he reached the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he did not encounter a single American police officer.

What should I do? Standing on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ryan shrugged his shoulders. The well-dressed passersby avoided him as if he were a plague, keeping as far away as possible.

Under his feet was the terrazzo pavement, inlaid with brass stars. Although the names on the stars were unfamiliar, he knew very well that they were traces left by stars.

For his goal, for his future, Ryan gritted his teeth and stepped in front of a beautiful woman.

"Ma'am, could you help me with a small favor?"

Ryan bravely lifted his head. The moment he saw the woman's face, he couldn't help but curse, "Damn, is fate playing with me!"

The woman was nearly six feet tall, about 180 centimeters in metric, tall and slender. Her skin was as fair as the freshest milk, and her curly hair was a rare auburn red. Her cold and stunning demeanor was exceptionally outstanding.

This woman was extremely beautiful and charming, more youthful and attractive than any model or movie scene Ryan had seen in his previous life. But why was Nicole Kidman in Hollywood in 1987? Could his weak butterfly effect really influence Australia?

Nicole Kidman had just arrived in Los Angeles. She was well-known in Australia, and like most Australian actors, after achieving success at home, she came to Hollywood to seek greater opportunities.

Moreover, last year, her mother passed away due to a recurrence of cancer, and her father died from excessive grief. Nicole left this place of sorrow, bought a house in Beverly Hills, and planned to shift the focus of her career to the United States.

To Hollywood, she was still a newcomer. Although she didn't have to start from scratch, her recent auditions had not gone well. Feeling frustrated, she went shopping to relieve her depression.

Unconsciously, she arrived at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Looking at the stars, Nicole felt both envy and jealousy. She knew her ambitions and capabilities and was confident that one day, her star would be on the Walk of Fame.

Just as Nicole was lost in thought, a boy, no more than six or seven years old, suddenly stepped in front of her, asking for help.

The boy was thin, with disheveled light brown hair covering his head. His clothes were old and worn, making him look like a little vagrant. However, his sky-blue eyes, bright like sapphires, stared at her, revealing confusion and sorrow, as if the whole world had abandoned him, and she was his only hope.

Having just experienced the loss of her family, Nicole was at her most tender-hearted. Her eyes met the boy's, and her heart turned to cotton, her soul trembling. It felt as if she had come to Los Angeles and walked this Walk of Fame just for this chance encounter.

Ryan's eyes still showed confusion, but his mind was rapidly calculating. He hadn't expected that a random act would bring him a mermaid named Nicole. According to his previous life's information, she was a woman who loved children. Why not take advantage of this?

Nicole didn't know what she was thinking. She vaguely agreed to the boy's request, taking him to a public phone booth and watching him make a call.

From the boy's conversation, she learned that he was an orphan, and the welfare home's director had intended to harm him. He had escaped with great difficulty and was now seeking a lawyer's help.

The thin boy's helpless narration and tragic background touched the most tender part of Nicole's heart. After Ryan finished his call, she suddenly said, "Perhaps I can offer you some help!"

...

After seeing off the lawyer, Wilson, Nicole Kidman rubbed her smooth forehead and sat on the sofa, her face showing unmistakable exhaustion and fatigue.

"Finally, it's over!"

To gain custody of Ryan, the lawsuit lasted for several months, consuming a large amount of her time and energy, and depleting all her savings.

Nicole looked at Ryan, who, despite his odd temper, was smart and well-behaved. After spending some time with him, she had grown to like him. Although it had cost her a great deal, it was all worth it, wasn't it?

Seeing her exhausted face, Ryan was moved. He wasn't a heartless bastard. For the lawsuit, to form a powerful legal team, Nicole had not only sold her newly purchased villa but also her car.

To expedite the custody process, she even applied for U.S. citizenship. Fortunately, she was born in Hawaii and was already a well-known figure, so it didn't take much effort.

Even so, she still owed Wilson a considerable amount in legal fees.

Gently pulling Ryan into her arms, Nicole pinched his still thin body and said tenderly, "Ryan, from now on, it's just the two of us. I will make sure you grow up healthy and strong."

"Healthy and strong?" Ryan leaned his head on Nicole's soft chest, inhaling the intoxicating scent, and said in a muffled voice, "Are you raising a pig?"

Nicole kissed Ryan's forehead and giggled, admiring his quick wit, which had cheered her up.

However, thinking about the increasingly tight budget and the invitation from London, Nicole decided to seek his opinion.

"Ryan, would you like to live in London for a while?"

"London?"

"A theater group has invited me to perform in a stage play. I have a villa there, and we'll have to sell this apartment."

Ryan understood that Nicole's financial situation was dire, and she needed a job urgently.

The stage play could hone Nicole's acting skills, and living in the UK would allow him to focus on British literature. His mind quickly turned, and after considering everything she had done for him, he made a decision.

"Nicole, wait a moment, I have something to show you."

Ryan rushed into his room and quickly retrieved a book and a New York Times supplement from the drawer of his child-sized dresser. He returned to the living room and handed them to her.

Nicole opened the book and was surprised. In the front page, there was a cash check for two... twenty thousand dollars? Where did this money come from? Could it be a fake check?

Nicole Kidman narrowed her eyes. Clearly, this guy was hiding something from her. Thinking about her all-out efforts for him, she felt a bit upset.

"I'm sorry, Nicole. You know, the environment I grew up in..." Ryan understood that anyone would have reservations.

Nicole's heart softened, and she gently stroked his cheek, saying, "Alright, give me an explanation."

As Ryan spoke, Nicole's mouth grew wider and wider. She never expected to have rescued a super genius!

Half a month later, the cold and beautiful woman and the odd boy set foot on the land of the United Kingdom. Nicole firmly refused the money and, after consulting with Wilson, opened a new personal account for him at Citibank. Wilson also agreed to let Nicole use her property as collateral to repay the debt later.

Their new home in London was in the Kensington area, a two-story independent English-style villa. From the rooftop terrace, they could see the Kensington Palace, the residence of Princess Diana.

In the following days, despite Ryan's strong protests, Nicole sent him to school. The poor child, for the second time, entered elementary school, and the classroom became his workshop for his grand theft.

At Ryan's insistence, Nicole hired a private tutor for him. Besides learning Chinese and French, Ryan began professional vocal training. Although the styles of the maestros from the symphony orchestra were far from pop music, many things were about personal effort after being guided. His talent in music was outstanding, and he even felt that the great power that had reborn him might be a pop music fan!

London was often rainy, and sunny days were rare. The two sat under a tree in the courtyard. Nicole flipped through the script of the stage play, while Ryan looked through her photo album.

These were photos from the past two years, mostly taken in Los Angeles, featuring the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, the Chinese Theater, and the Shrine Auditorium. Ryan couldn't help but think of her situation in his previous life and asked, "Nicole, do you really want to develop in Hollywood?"

"Yes! Only there can I become a world-class actress and achieve my dreams." Nicole didn't mind who she was talking to, "Maybe I'll even win an Oscar one day!"

Ryan sighed lightly. He and she were a perfect match, both aiming for the same fame and fortune.

Alright! Miss Nicole Kidman, as someone who knows how to repay kindness and as someone who has always admired you, I will help you become the center of attention and strive to get you on the highest honor stage as early and as often as possible!

And, I will never let that pretty boy break your heart again!