New York.
520 Apartment.
"Adam, are you sure you're not bringing a date?"
Monica asked.
"Yes."
Adam responded helplessly, "I've already said it a hundred times."
"I just wanted to double-check."
Monica pinned a blue pushpin onto the wedding seating plan. "I'm telling you, once the seating is finalized, even if you want to invite a date, you can't."
"I know."
Adam chuckled. "Even if I find a new date before then, I won't invite her. I wouldn't want to mess up your seating arrangement. Happy now?"
"Okay."
Monica finally nodded in satisfaction.
"Adam, you really are a player."
Rachel teased from the side. "No girlfriend can ever keep you tied down."
"Exactly."
Phoebe chimed in. "Max was so cool. How could you break up with her?"
"I'm like a cloud, a free cloud."
Adam laughed. "Wherever the wind blows, I drift. I won't land unless I hit a cold front."
"And even if you hit a cold front and turn into rain, once the sun comes out and the air warms up, you'll evaporate and float away again, continuing your so-called freedom."
Monica rolled her eyes. "Am I right?"
"A bride is always a bride. Your insights into marriage, love, and freedom are truly something else."
Adam smiled indifferently. "Very perceptive."
"Seriously, though,"
Phoebe huffed. "Why did you break up with Max?"
"Because he's a jerk!"
Rachel snarked.
"Is this a public condemnation?"
Adam smirked, then stood up. "I can't sit here any longer. Chandler, come on, let's go pick out suits."
"Alright."
Chandler readily agreed but still checked with Monica.
"You don't have to ask me about this. You're free to go wherever you want."
Monica felt a little embarrassed in front of the others, but then she secretly whispered to Chandler, "You can go."
Adam found the scene amusing.
He had seen countless similar classic moments in his previous life. After traveling to this one, even the most loving couples, like his parents, hadn't interacted like this. Only someone as strong-willed as Monica could recreate this familiar dynamic.
Always checking in with the girlfriend or wife, waiting for approval before making a move.
Why does this happen?
Simple.
According to Sheldon's theory, negative reinforcement is more effective than positive reinforcement.
In layman's terms, you're just too attached to her.
Disobey? No intimacy for you.
During the honeymoon phase or early years of marriage, this method works like a charm.
Adam and Chandler made their escape.
But the conversation didn't end.
The "Criticizing Adam" session continued.
Phoebe and Rachel led the charge, ridiculing Adam's flirtatious ways and expressing their regret for Max.
"Don't get so worked up. They broke up on good terms. Even Max never blamed him."
Monica offered a fair point.
"That's because Max is a good person."
Phoebe argued. "Which makes Adam even more heartless."
"Adam is definitely a bit of a player, but calling him heartless is too much."
Monica explained, "From the beginning, he was clear with Max. They were something more than friends but not quite lovers. They had a great time together. Adam even helped her get into college, and last year when Max graduated, he got her a high-paying job, helping her achieve her dreams and completely changing her life."
"But Max wanted to take things further with Adam."
Rachel interrupted. "Isn't that a reasonable request?"
"It is reasonable."
Monica nodded. "But Adam has the right to refuse. He's not ready to settle down. Should we force him?
Besides, could Adam even settle down?
Max figured it out a long time ago. With Adam's stamina, even if they took the next step, he wouldn't stay put. He'd eventually cheat.
Ending it early was probably for the best."
"Is Adam really that… intense?"
Phoebe and Rachel's curiosity was piqued.
"That's what Max said."
Monica hesitated, then added, "You guys know Max—she's straightforward and says whatever's on her mind. She wouldn't lie about this.
Plus, Chandler and I run with Adam every morning. No matter how much we push, he never even breaks a sweat. His stamina is insane."
Phoebe and Rachel seemed lost in thought.
"After the breakup, aside from a little initial sadness, Max actually felt relieved."
Monica continued, "It really was an amicable split. Otherwise, with Max's personality, do you think she'd still work for Adam without holding a grudge?"
"High-paying jobs aren't easy to come by."
Phoebe said enviously.
She genuinely envied Max.
Their backgrounds were similar—both had rough childhoods and had to fend for themselves early on.
Back then, Max was just a waitress, while Phoebe at least had a trade as a masseuse and was doing much better.
But in just three years…
Max went to college, became an artist, and Adam even set up a small publishing company for her. She now had a high salary and a prestigious position—she had transformed from a nobody into someone extraordinary.
Meanwhile, Phoebe was still just a masseuse.
It was impossible not to feel a little bitter.
"Max isn't the type to fake happiness."
Monica reminded them. "You can't pretend to be that genuinely content."
"I know."
Phoebe quickly hid her jealousy and covered it up. "I just think Max deserved better."
"I wonder what kind of woman Adam will marry in the future?"
Rachel suddenly mused with a smile.
"There's a good chance he won't get married at all."
Monica thought for a moment. "He leans toward not wanting marriage."
"He's rich, he's handsome, and he's… well, let's just say energetic. He might end up changing his nationality and marrying multiple wives."
Phoebe teased. "Then he'd make them all wear veils so no other man could look at them."
"…"
Monica was speechless. "You do realize polygamy exists outside of that one place, right? And making women wear veils? Come on!"
"You guys give him too much credit."
Rachel laughed. "Sure, he might seem unstoppable now, but that's just because he's young and having fun.
Once he gets older and actually wants to settle down, let's see if he can still keep up this act.
Marry multiple wives?
He'd be lucky to keep one!
Monogamy became the standard for a reason—it doesn't just protect women, it protects men too!"
"Haha, Rachel's got a point."
Phoebe burst out laughing.
Monica also smiled, clearly in agreement.
The battle of the sexes had always been uneven.
Even though Monica and the others weren't familiar with old sayings like "Youthful arrogance leads to regret in old age" or "There are no exhausted fields, only overworked oxen,"
They understood the sentiment. And through their own relationships, they had confirmed the truth behind it.
This was why they were so confident.
In the long run, women always win.