"The winner of Best Supporting Actor is…" Jodie Foster slowly opened the envelope in her hand. After glancing at it, she seemed incredulous and blinked hard twice before finally saying, "Oh my God, this is so surprising—well, not that surprising. After all, everyone's seen what he accomplished over the past year..."
At this moment, people in the audience began to sense something and started glancing toward Ryan. The crew of The Sixth Sense lit up with joy, but as the final result hadn't yet been announced, they had to suppress their excitement. Even Nicole Kidman, with her normally cold and elegant demeanor, bloomed like snow under the sunlight, her face glowing with a radiant smile—it seemed she was happier about the boy winning than if she had won herself.
In contrast to everyone else's reactions, Ryan maintained his usual calm smile. His expression and demeanor showed no change, nor did his heart seem to flutter. Only Nicole, whose hand was held tightly in his, could feel the slight uncontrollable tremble in his body.
"Congratulations! Ryan Jenkins, The Sixth Sense!" Jodie Foster finally announced the result. Due to the emotional build-up, the crowd wasn't too shocked. The auditorium immediately erupted into a wave of thunderous applause.
Though losing to an eleven-year-old child was hard to accept, the other nominees still gave him enthusiastic applause. No one could deny that the gifted young boy had portrayed the mystically perceptive Cole in The Sixth Sense with near perfection.
"Yes!"
Ryan clenched his fist in excitement, leaping from his seat and giving Nicole, who had also stood up, a big hug. However, with Nicole Kidman standing nearly six feet tall and Ryan just starting puberty, his head landed squarely on her chest, offering a full view of her cleavage. Embarrassed, he told himself "no peeking," and quickly let go of the Aussie beauty.
"Thank you, Nicole!" As a soul that came from the other side of the Pacific, Ryan wasn't the kind of person to forget kindness. If she hadn't taken him in four years ago, it was hard to imagine what his life would be like now. After over four years of living together, they had developed a unique understanding. Nicole gently patted his arm. "Go. Don't let those who love you down!"
Ryan left his seat, hugging the crew members one by one—including David Fincher, who had received a Best Director nomination with his directorial debut, and Al Pacino, who had acted alongside Ryan but unfortunately didn't receive a Best Actor nomination. At last, he came to the producer, Harvey Weinstein.
"Thank you, Harvey!"
After a heartfelt hug with the co-founder of Miramax, he turned to the other side. "And you, Pat!"
Ryan, for once, spoke from the heart. He was well aware that without the full support and lobbying efforts from Pat Kingsley and Harvey Weinstein, he never would've had a shot at winning that little golden statuette.
Even though Harvey Weinstein's motives were more aligned with the interests of Miramax—and the two had made a verbal agreement beforehand—Ryan wasn't an ungrateful person. He knew he'd need help from this man again in the future.
Besides, he had already promised that the two would collaborate again later this year.
Ryan calmly walked up the stage of the sacred auditorium. His excitement had gradually settled. Unlike the somewhat frail boy in The Sixth Sense, he now looked noticeably taller. With his ever-present smile and his somewhat roguish long hair, he exuded a unique aura.
"Congratulations, Ryan!"
Jodie Foster gave Ryan a light hug.
"Thank you, Jodie. It's truly an honor to receive this award from you!"
"I didn't accomplish nearly as much as you at your age."
"You're a role model for all child actors. We should all learn from you!" Ryan lowered his voice, half-joking and half-serious.
Jodie Foster, of course, understood the layered meaning behind the boy's words, but she said nothing. Even though many considered her the most successful child star to transition into adulthood, only she knew the bittersweet reality behind it.
"Ryan, let me ask you something. You're only eleven years old, yet you write novels, create screenplays, and even star in them—are you sure you're not from Mars?" After Ryan accepted the Oscar statuette, Jodie Foster, rather uncharacteristically, made a joke instead of stepping aside.
Ryan didn't mind. He hefted the statuette in his hand. It wasn't as heavy as he'd imagined. The excitement and exhilaration had already been released when the winner was announced. Now he appeared composed—nothing like an eleven-year-old kid, more like a seasoned actor nearing his forties.
"Well, yes, I am from Mars. Now that I've got the little golden man, I'm heading back—Earth is just too dangerous!"
The moment Ryan finished speaking, the audience burst into laughter. Everyone knew he was returning the jab in kind to Jodie Foster's earlier tease. Of course, a joke should have its limits. His expression gradually turned solemn.
"Thank you to the Academy. For an eleven-year-old, this award is the highest form of recognition and validation! Thank you, Harvey, for believing in the wild imagination of a weird little boy! Thank you, David and Al—you are my mentors and friends! Thank you to everyone in The Sixth Sense crew—you're the best team ever! Thank you, Ms. Kingsley—in my eyes, you are the best agent out there! Thank you, Dean Katie—you warmed the heart of a lonely boy! And thank you to everyone who loves me—you are my greatest motivation."
At this point, Ryan suddenly paused. His sapphire-like eyes pierced through the dozens of feet between the stage and the crowd, instantly finding that familiar face—a cool and elegant face lit up with radiant warmth. The two pairs of blue eyes locked together in perfect sync.
"I'm an orphan. My life before seven was filled only with coldness and darkness!" Ryan's eyes grew brighter, and his tone became more heartfelt, as if speaking from his soul. "Until that day—the day I'll never forget. Nicole, you brought sunshine into a child's world. You shielded a helpless child with no ties to you under your wing. Here, on the Oscar stage, I don't want to say thank you, because that's too weak to express how I feel about you. I just want to say… I love you, Nicole!"
As last year's most dazzling child star, Ryan's past had already been dug up by the media, especially his relationship with Nicole Kidman. Their sibling-like bond, though not by blood, had deeply touched countless people when it was revealed. Now, seeing the boy's heartfelt confession from the stage and the emotional response on the woman's face below, the audience could only respond with even louder applause.
"Thank you!"
Just then, the music from the orchestra began to cue him offstage. Ryan had just finished speaking and was about to leave when he suddenly gave a bright smile. Wasn't this the perfect time to respond to that "Black Pig" director? Besides, he'd already planned this speech on the way here—what a waste it would be not to use it.
He returned to the mic. "One last thing—thank you to everyone who hated me, and to those I hated. If it weren't for the dark past you created for me at six and seven, there wouldn't be the version of me you see now!"
No one expected Ryan to end his speech with a line like that. The room fell into stunned silence.
In contrast, the journalists and paparazzi present nearly jumped with excitement. Clearly, Ryan Jenkins must have suffered some hidden traumas at the orphanage he once stayed in. As responsible reporters, they had a duty to uncover those secrets and reveal them to the public—while making a nice pile of cash on the side.
On his way back to his seat, a towering man suddenly blocked Ryan's path. Before the boy could react, the current T-800 and future Governor gave him a congratulatory hug.
"Congratulations, Ryan!"
"Thanks, Mr. Bodyguard!" Ryan grinned and winked at Schwarzenegger before they parted.
After celebrating with the crew, Ryan returned to his seat. Seeing Nicole's misty eyes—though no tears had fallen—he could tell she'd been touched by his words. He said teasingly, "Hey, this doesn't look like the Nicole Kidman I know. She's cold, elegant, proud, and… scheming. How could she be moved to tears by a few words from a kid?"
"Ryan!" Nicole scolded quietly. After over four years together, she knew the boy's personality all too well. This annoying little guy was always like this: right after touching your heart deeply, he'd throw out a line that would drag you from heaven to the depths. If they weren't in public, she would've pulled him over and given him a good lesson.
"I apologize, Nicole!" Ryan clearly understood when to quit while ahead. After all, he was still small and weak—if things escalated, he'd definitely be on the losing end. Some scores were better left to settle once he grew up.
The biggest winner at this year's Oscars was undoubtedly Kevin Costner and his Dances with Wolves, which took home Best Director and Best Picture. And with that, the annual awards ceremony came to an end.
After the usual group photos and a brief interview, Ryan used the excuse of needing rest due to his young age, while Nicole claimed she had to take care of the boy, and they declined several party invitations, returning directly to their Westwood apartment with his agent.
Nicole finished her shower, walked out of the bathroom blow-drying her golden-red curls, and immediately saw the little golden man casually tossed on the couch. She was speechless. The Oscar, a treasure to many, had been thrown aside so carelessly by that annoying little guy. She didn't even know what to say.
Maybe to him, these honors weren't as precious as the manuscripts and music scores he wrote? Nicole sighed, composed herself, walked to the boy's bedroom, and gently pushed the door—just like she had in the first couple of years after adopting him. The door wasn't locked. With a slight push, it opened.
Ryan lived a very disciplined life. Under the warm, dim light, he was lying on his side, clearly already fast asleep. Nicole quietly tiptoed to the bed and carefully lay down beside him. As if handling the most precious treasure, she gently pulled the sleeping boy into her arms.