Chapter 69: Another Party
Sheldon's words were incredibly insulting, but even more frightening was that no one present, including Leonard, believed he was wrong.
Simply out of pride during the argument, Leonard tried to claim some credit for himself: "Wait, I designed the experiment to prove it!"
"The experiment wasn't even necessary," Sheldon retorted dismissively.
Leonard seized on Sheldon's arrogance to attack back: "So the entire scientific community will just believe you without question?"
"Not will, but should," Sheldon said firmly, without hesitation.
"Never mind, I don't care what you say. I'm going to that conference and presenting our findings," Leonard declared, standing his ground.
Ron, already bored from watching the argument, now had to endure Howard and Raj's requests for dating advice.
"Enough, enough. Dating a woman isn't as hard as you think, provided you don't resort to those weird fake tattoo tricks. Trust me, Howard, I've got a good feeling about your future.
One day, you'll find a wife who's as petite and energetic as an Olympic gymnast—a beautiful, sweet... uh... brilliant female scientist."
"Sweet"? That kind of prediction seemed a bit much. How could a woman who could perfectly match Howard's intensity be sweet? Ron quickly changed his description.
He was thinking of Howard's future wife, Bernadette. In his previous timeline, Ron had seen her in action. He couldn't help but worry about Howard's small frame.
It didn't look like he could handle Bernadette's... enthusiasm. The classic question flooded Ron's mind again: How does he manage it?! Ron vowed to observe more carefully this time around.
"Really?" Howard looked fascinated, apparently convinced by the prediction.
"What about me?" Raj put down the design he was sketching and asked eagerly, "What kind of person will I end up with?"
Ron was stumped. This question was way outside his expertise, buddy!
"Someone with... big eyes, petite figure, and great hair?"
"I know, it must be someone like Priyanka Chopra!" Raj shouted excitedly, leaping up and starting some kind of celebratory dance, not even noticing when his pen bonked Ron on the head.
Ron retrieved the pen from his hair, put it back in the dancing Indian's hands, and told him to calm down.
"Dude, I was being generic. Never mind, just be happy." Ron just wanted to coax these two scientists into finishing the toy he'd requested.
But the good times didn't last long. Howard finally came out of his fantasy and looked at the reality of only having guys around him. He felt life was depressing.
"Ron, the future is too far away. Could you please help us meet some girls now? We'd even work for you for free. Especially if they're famous."
"That's right, preferably a big star. I've seen in movies that guys like you always date beautiful actresses," Raj chimed in.
"You said it—in the movies," Ron replied, feeling his phone buzz with a text message.
Ron looked down at his phone, then up at the two young scientists. Could these two guys actually be prophetic? They'd hit the nail on the head.
"Hey, you two serious about working for free?" The two eager faces nodded frantically in front of Ron.
Ron glanced toward Sheldon's room and lowered his voice: "Want to go to a party with me later to unwind? Consider it advance payment."
Howard realized something was up when he heard Ron's deliberately hushed tone. He glanced stealthily at Sheldon, making sure he wasn't listening: "What kind of party?"
"I can't tell you what kind of party." Ron pointed to his ears, indicating that Sheldon's superhuman hearing might pick it up, and he didn't want Sheldon to know: "But I can tell you the party's at the Marriott Hotel near Hollywood."
Because, knowing Sheldon, even though he had zero interest in socializing, if it was this particular party, he'd definitely demand to come along.
And then the Cooper family would be mortified. So Ron decided not to bring Sheldon—not even let him know about it.
Hollywood!
Howard and Raj exchanged glances, each seeing pure excitement in the other's eyes, then nodded frantically.
Ron checked his watch. "Alright, you have one hour to put on your best suits and meet me on Hollywood Boulevard."
"No problem, bro!"
...
An hour later, a car pulled up near the Marriott Hotel. Ron emerged with Howard and Raj, all dressed to kill.
The two scientists, like tourists from the sticks, were stunned by the spectacle outside the hotel.
Security had cordoned off the hotel entrance, and swarms of reporters had cameras and flashes trained on the red carpet. Every car that pulled up triggered a dazzling burst of camera flashes.
And everyone stepping out looked so familiar—obviously the celebrities who appeared on TV every day!
"Oh my God, I just saw Avril Lavigne! Ron, you have to help me get her autograph later!" Howard was so excited he could barely contain himself.
"I can ask my friend to try. I don't really know that girl well," Ron said with a frown.
Avril had just become a global sensation with "Girlfriend." She was at the peak of her career. To be fair, Ron liked her music too.
But as for her personally, he wasn't interested. Heavy eyeliner and that whole punk thing weren't his type.
"Dude, you're not actually like those agents in the movies, are you?" Raj raised his theory again.
"What kind?"
"The kind who takes out bad guys for work and then romances all kinds of female celebrities in their spare time."
"How could there be a spy like that?" Ron rolled his eyes. "I just happened to have a friend throwing a party here tonight, and I didn't even get a formal invitation."
"Her?" Raj's expression was priceless, like he'd sniffed out a scandal. "Ron, how many women do you have? Is she also a big star? Which one? Have I seen her movies?"
"I'm sure you've both seen her movies. That's exactly why I didn't bring Sheldon. I trust you two gentlemen won't do anything to embarrass me, right?"
Ron confirmed with the two guys who had "scientists" written on their business cards but "nerds" written all over their faces. After getting positive responses, before he could reveal the answer, he spotted a beautiful figure waving at him from across the way.
"Look, there she is. I hope you can greet her politely."
(End of chapter)
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