"Art's mission lies in using sensual imagery to present the truth. It should give people spiritual vitality and inspiration, not strike them with a cold fist about life!" Natalie, like a proud fighting cock, stared intently at the scornful-faced Ryan. "Am I wrong?"
"But Lev Tolstoy once said, the best art is the kind that everyone can understand!" Ryan raised his chin as well. "'Last Tango in Paris'? What even is that? It's dull and boring. How many people actually liked it? Besides Marlon Brando's acting performance, it had absolutely nothing to offer. And Bertolucci—does he even understand what the audience wants to see?"
"'The Silence of the Lambs' isn't much better. A lot of cruel, horrifying, and bloody scenes dilute the theme it wants to express. Artistically, it's at least one level below 'Last Tango in Paris'," Natalie shot back.
"You can't deny that The Silence of the Lambs is more popular, Nat. Like I said, films aren't made for directors to watch by themselves. They have to consider the market's acceptance."
This heated debate took place in the back row of an eleven-seat travel van en route to Yosemite National Park. Ryan and Natalie were sitting together, immersed in their argument.
Natalie had arrived in Los Angeles just the day before. Mr. Avner had come to attend a medical conference and brought his daughter along. Natalie hadn't even told Ryan until after her flight landed. Fortunately, Ryan and Nicole—who had planned a wilderness trip with the Swift family to escape increasingly crazy reporters—had not yet left, so they brought her along.
The two hadn't seen each other in a while and had a lot to catch up on. Naturally, their conversation drifted to movies, and then to this year's hit, The Silence of the Lambs.
"But art is supposed to be rigorous!" Natalie even turned halfway around to face Ryan directly.
"Oh really? Then were all those explicit scenes in Last Tango in Paris really necessary?"
"Ryan! Nat!"
Nicole couldn't take it anymore and turned around, scolding the two still eager to debate. "Let me ask you, who watched Last Tango in Paris and The Silence of the Lambs with you? Are those movies appropriate for people your age? Ryan, looks like when we get back I should ground you. And Nat, I think I'll be giving Mrs. Sherry a call."
The combative boy and girl finally deflated, exchanged a glare, and turned to look out their respective windows.
"Aren't they good friends? Why have they been arguing since yesterday?"
Holding the sleeping Taylor and adjusting her position, Mrs. Andrea asked in a curious whisper.
"Don't even mention it." Nicole waved her hand. "They've known each other for nearly two years. Whether on the phone or in letters, they're always like this—born rivals, it seems. Yet their relationship is really close."
Yosemite National Park, located in eastern California, rivals Yellowstone as one of the most beautiful natural national parks in the West.
The group had come in two cars: the eleven-seat van and a Chevrolet SUV driven by George in the back.
"Wow… so pretty~"
As soon as little Taylor got out of the car, she saw a forest stretching endlessly. The climate here was pleasant, far cooler than hot Los Angeles.
The scenery was stunning. Once they entered the valley, the group headed straight for the butterfly forest on the south side. There, they found a large patch of old-growth sequoias—tall and thick, some requiring more than ten people hand-in-hand to circle their trunks.
Though American cities do have excellent greenery, for people who live in urban areas year-round, this was a perfect place for rest and relaxation. The only downside was the number of tourists—it was a world-renowned destination, after all.
After visiting the rock formations, the group headed to a less crowded stream canyon and found a flat spot to take a short break.
"Ryan, catch butterflies… take me, please?" Little Taylor was full of energy and wouldn't let anyone rest.
"Sweetheart, there are wolves and lions here. You can't just run around." Ryan decided to scare her a little. But the under-two-year-old girl didn't understand the danger of those animals and instead clapped her hands and said, "Lions? Zoo? That kind? Awesome! Ryan, and Nat—catch lions… take me!"
Ryan felt like coughing up blood. Thankfully, Mr. Scott checked his watch and said, "It's getting late. Let's hurry to the cabin area. If we get there too late, we won't find a place to stay."
"There aren't real wild lions in the Americas!" Natalie gave Ryan a "how-are-you-so-uncultured" look.
"Are mountain lions not lions?" Ryan reflexively retorted, returning a "you're-uncultured-too" look.
"Not going to argue with you." Natalie turned and gave him the back of her head.
The cabin area was located within the valley. Though open to tourists, it was managed with strict regulations. Anyone caught littering or damaging trees could face steep fines—enough to turn tourists into beggars. But it was precisely these nearly draconian rules that kept the park thriving for so long.
The group rented three large cabins: one for the Swift family, one for Nicole and Natalie, and one for the boys and George.
Taylor had slept the whole way over, and now that she was full of energy, she insisted Ryan and Natalie take her to go "catch lions," leaving everyone at a loss.
"Taylor, catching lions isn't fun at all. If you don't believe me, ask George. He's been to Africa and seen lots of lions." After dragging out a few chairs and sitting in the grass in front of the cabin, Ryan—having no way to get the girl to calm down—decided to throw his bodyguard under the bus.
"Really? George? Africa… what's that place? Is it far? Is it fun?" Taylor asked with sparkling eyes.
"Not fun." George smiled and decided to turn it into storytime. "The grasslands and forests there are full of danger—not just lions but also predators like cheetahs."
"King of beasts… isn't that the lion?" Taylor blinked and pointed at Ryan, saying, "Ryan said that… last time at the zoo."
"On the African plains, the most dangerous animal isn't the lion." Seeing everyone looking at him, George shrugged and said, "Once during a mission, I was surrounded by a pack of hyenas. On the plains, the most terrifying creatures aren't lions or cheetahs but starving, crazed hyenas."
He pointed to the scar above his brow. "Got this from that incident. I only had three bullets left in my gun—killed three hyenas, and then had to fight them hand-to-hand. Luckily, I survived. Though I was badly hurt, I lived long enough for backup to arrive."
He patted Taylor's small hand. "So, Taylor, catching lions really isn't that fun."
Everyone was moved by his story. Africa, after all, isn't known for its stability.
Nicole suddenly felt worried. In her eyes, soldiers—especially those who had seen blood—were dangerous creatures. As part of her prep for A Few Good Men, she'd done extensive research on the military and learned that many Marine Corps veterans either became mercenaries or drifted down the wrong path after discharge. Was it really safe for Ryan to be around someone like that?
That boy was the most important person to her. What if something happened… Nicole didn't dare continue that thought. She felt she should find Ryan another bodyguard.
"Wait." Ryan suddenly felt he had overlooked something very important—something related to what George just said—but couldn't quite recall. "George, what did you just say? Lions? And hyenas?"
"Yeah." George nodded. "On the African plains, the most dangerous thing isn't lions—it's hungry hyenas. Problem?"
"Sh*t!" Ryan cursed in Chinese. He finally remembered what he had forgotten: lions! Hyenas! Africa! Hamlet! The Prince's Revenge!
Whether it was when he adapted the novel or later when writing scripts, he had somehow forgotten the most glorious 2D animated masterpiece of all time. He smacked his forehead hard.
"I'm such a pig-headed idiot," Ryan scolded himself internally.
"Ryan, you just said a bad word," Natalie said slowly.
"Bad word?" Ryan looked confused.
"Don't deny it." Natalie had a knowing look. "I started learning Chinese last year. I often go to Chinatown to practice with people. Met quite a few Chinese exchange students—they've used exactly what you just said to curse at people."
"You… why… why are you learning Chinese?" Ryan was genuinely surprised. He knew Natalie in his past life spoke several languages fluently, but he'd never heard that she knew Chinese.
"Since you speak Chinese so fluently, I naturally have to surpass you," she said matter-of-factly.
"Okay, okay." Ryan glanced at Nicole and, seeing she didn't object, said, "I apologize. That good enough?"
It's not like apologizing cost him anything.
"Ryan, then why did you hit yourself… just now?" Taylor asked curiously.
"Ah…" Ryan opened his mouth, thinking Where does this little kid get all her curiosity from? But seeing everyone looking at him, he scratched his head and said, "After hearing George's story, I suddenly had a flash of inspiration—maybe I could write a story set in Africa."
"A story in Africa?"
The group knew the boy well enough to know he must've come up with something good.
"Yeah. Move Shakespeare's Hamlet to the African savannah," he said, waving off Natalie before she could interrupt. "Not a human story. The protagonist is a lion—a lion named… Simba!"
"An animated film?" Natalie asked, and then immediately lost interest.
"Like Mickey Mouse… uh… and Donald Duck cartoons?" Taylor asked.
"Exactly."
Ryan nodded, thought for a moment, then ran into the cabin and brought out his easel.