Airport.
Security checkpoint.
A middle-aged couple, their son and daughter, a family of four, stood at the security checkpoint.
Following a warning, a young boy going through security shrugged helplessly, "Don't worry. Billy just put a penny in my nose. It wasn't a hidden object. You should have a record. Who's Billy? He's my neighbor's kid..."
The airport security officer, despite hearing the explanation, still followed standard procedure and ushered the boy and his family inside for questioning and further inspection.
"That's the situation. I understand and appreciate your need for a more detailed inspection, but please remember to wear gloves, thank you,"
the boy said with a serious expression.
"That's just how he is... He's a student at Princeton University!"
Faced with the airport staff's astonished gaze, the boy's family awkwardly explained.
"Sheldon has flown several times, and I've never flown before."
A cute little girl looked at her twin brother with envy, glancing at her parents from the corner of her eye, complaining about the unfair treatment.
That's right!
This family was none other than the Coopers.
Summer vacation is over and school is about to start. George Cooper Sr. and his wife Mary Cooper brought their daughter, Missy Cooper, to see their son, Sheldon Cooper, off to New Jersey for his flight.
George Cooper Jr., their eldest son, didn't come because he was too lazy to see his cocky little brother off.
As for Sheldon's favorite grandmother, Meemaw, she didn't come today because she was busy at her bingo night.
"Don't worry, with your qualifications, you definitely won't be able to become a scientist who is most valuable to humanity. You can only have a service job like a flight attendant or waitress in the future. You have plenty of opportunities to fly,"
Sheldon complained about his twin sister while undergoing a more detailed examination.
As soon as he said this, the airport staff who were checking him looked a little strange.
"That's not what he meant,"
George Sr. explained tactfully. "He respects the airport staff."
"Right,"
Mary realized, fearing her precious son might be targeted, and quickly defended him, "He likes the uniformed staff the most."
"That's the truth."
Young Sheldon, oblivious to the danger, looked at the airport staff, who were trying to be polite. "Although your work isn't comparable to ours as scientists, I do like your organized procedures and your uniforms. But I prefer trains to airplanes... Ow, you hurt me."
As young Sheldon continued his tactless chatter, his expression suddenly changed and he let out a soft cry.
"Sorry, it's standard procedure,"
the security officer explained with a forced smile.
"Okay,"
young Sheldon frowned, but accepted it.
George Sr. grabbed Mary, who was about to explode with worry, and whispered in her ear, "If you don't want him to be blacklisted, keep quiet."
"But..."
Mary's eyes widened in frustration.
This was her most precious son.
"No buts, he's asking for it,"
George Sr. muttered bitterly. "Don't forget what happened last time. If it weren't for a kind-hearted official and Sheldon being just a kid, we'd be on the IRS blacklist. Do you know what the consequences would be?"
Mary knew the disastrous consequences of offending the IRS. Seeing her husband's face darken as he spoke of it, she dared not say anything. She could only swallow her pain and turn her head away from seeing her precious son being deliberately targeted.
"It's all Billy's fault! If he hadn't bullied Sheldon, every flight wouldn't take an extra 45 minutes to go through security."
"Billy's the best."
Missy, watching her twin brother being targeted, gave heartfelt praise for the big, goofy Billy next door.
An hour later,
the extra security check for young Sheldon, caused by a penny stuck in his nose, was finally over.
The security officer, 'loving' Sheldon's words of gratitude, chose to go through the entire process methodically, adding a little extra time to each step.
They were humble service personnel, and as for the noble and great scientist Sheldon, they naturally accommodated him because young Sheldon 'appreciated' them.
Meanwhile, Chuck and his group had also arrived at the airport.
"Hey,"
Dad, having finally managed to comfort his wife, suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures and called out in surprise.
"Mr. Director."
Chuck's group of four, a handsome man and beautiful woman, with Mom's tall stature, attracted a lot of attention. George Sr., who was waiting and looking around bored, immediately noticed them and waved enthusiastically.
"George,"
Dad, feeling empathy for George Sr., smiled and replied, "You brought Sheldon along for the flight too? Yes, school is about to start, and Sheldon is going to Princeton University, right?"
At this point, he glanced at Chuck and said, "I think it's the Physics Department, right?"
He was remembering that Chuck was planning to pursue a PhD in physics at Princeton University.
"Yes,"
George Sr. nodded, then led his family to introduce them to both sides. "Mr. Director, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Mary, and this is my daughter, Missy. Mary, Missy, this is the good director I've been telling you about."
"Just call me Ray,"
Dad smiled kindly. "This is my wife, and this is my daughter, Hayley. This is Chuck, Hayley's brother. He's also going to New Jersey and happens to be attending classes in the Department of Physics at Princeton University."
Mom and Hayley smiled and greeted Mary and the others.
"Is that so? That's wonderful,"
Mary said happily. "Could you please, Chuck, take care of Sheldon? He's flying alone, and I'm really worried."
"You don't have anyone to accompany him?"
Mom looked at the tiny Sheldon in surprise.
How could he, so young, fly alone?
"Dr. Hofstadter will meet me at the Newark airport,"
young Sheldon said matter-of-factly, not waiting for his mother, Mary, to dodge the question. "Besides, our family doesn't have the money to fly back and forth with me to school."
He looked at Ray and said, "You should know that best."
George Sr. and Mary were immediately embarrassed.
Financial struggles always make people feel a little uncomfortable.
"Then you are a brave young man,"
Ray said, understandingly smoothing the situation over. "Chuck, this is the Cooper family. Please take care of Sheldon when you get on the plane."
"I'm flying first class."
Chuck neither agreed nor refused, simply stating a practical point.
"..."
George Sr. and Mary were speechless again.
Given their family's financial situation, they could only send their son in economy class. Even they had never flown first class before, and on a plane like this, first and economy class weren't even on the same level. How could they possibly take care of him?
George Sr. looked at Chuck, who spoke so directly, and immediately gave Ray a look that said, "I understand."
It turns out that every family has a unique child.
"It's you!"
Young Sheldon's eyes widened when he heard Chuck's words: "You are the Consultant!"
"It's Doctor Consultant."
Chuck looked at young Sheldon and corrected him seriously.
Young Sheldon: "..."
For some reason, he was very unhappy with this correction.
(End of this chapter)
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