"I'm done—"
Less than a minute after Paige finished her answers, Mike and Sheldon spoke simultaneously.
Sheldon, on his part, had accelerated his answering speed due to being stimulated by Paige. However, he hadn't expected Mike to also get the answer so quickly.
Actually, in Sheldon's mind, he firmly believed that Mike was not as intelligent as him.
Seeing that the other person's answering speed was the same as his, he glanced at Mike with a hint of arrogance. Then, he proactively handed his answer sheet to Dr. Sturgis.
Dr. Sturgis showed no favoritism. After receiving both answer sheets simultaneously, he carefully examined them.
A moment later, after reading both answers, he scanned his gaze across Mike and Sheldon's faces, then handed their answer sheets to Dr. Linkletter, who was standing by.
Following the procedure, after Dr. Linkletter finished reading both answers, he spoke, "Mike, your problem-solving steps are very rigorous. Now, on behalf of the team, I formally invite you to join us."
"Thank you for your high regard." Mike paused, then said, "It's just that I have plans for all upcoming weekends, so I'm afraid I won't be able to participate in further research."
It was already mid-December, and Christmas was only a few weeks away.
At a private gathering on a previous weekend, after Mike accidentally showcased his musical talent in front of the girls, Regina, representing The Plastics, invited him to perform a song.
Queen Bee intended for The Plastics to make a stunning debut as a musical group at the school's Christmas party.
And Mike, whose music skill level was almost at Level 4 Expert, indeed had the ability to help The Plastics achieve such a feat.
So, he didn't decline and accepted the girls' request.
For his
own people, Mike would naturally give them some preferential treatment.
Moreover, in Mike's view, this new physics formula research project was basically over.
The remaining second phase of research was merely to repeatedly demonstrate the applicability of this new formula.
For Mike, continuing to follow it up didn't hold much significance.
On the other side, Dr. Linkletter also had a good impression of Mike. He asked, "Can you tell me your reason for withdrawing?"
One should know that as an official researcher of the new formula, one could leave their name in the research report after the project ended.
This was a great achievement for researchers.
So, Dr. Linkletter felt a bit regretful about Mike's decision to withdraw at this time.
"I'm going to help a group prepare for their Christmas party performance." Mike saw Dr. Linkletter's good intentions and didn't deliberately conceal anything, choosing to answer truthfully.
"What?" Dr. Linkletter's face showed surprise, and he was very dissatisfied with Mike's answer.
In his opinion, physics research was far more important than a party performance.
"Forget it, Dr. Linkletter. Mike is still young and has his own ideas. Just don't interfere too much…" Dr. Sturgis saw that Dr. Linkletter still wanted to question Mike, so he stopped him.
Because of his relationship with Connie, Dr. Sturgis also knew a bit about Mike's private life.
Moreover, Dr. Sturgis, who was currently deeply in love with Connie, also fully agreed with Mike's choice.
Which is more important, love or career? This question is also a matter of opinion.
Mike, on his part, smiled at Dr. Sturgis, as if thanking him for helping him out of a difficult situation, and also as if thanking him for his generosity.
On the other side, Paige and Sheldon, upon hearing Mike's decision, both turned to look at him.
Paige's eyes held a hint of disappointment, purely regretting not being able to see Mike later.
As for Sheldon, he was surprised that Mike would let go of such a good learning opportunity.
However, Sheldon quickly suppressed the doubt in his heart. He turned and looked at Dr. Linkletter expectantly, waiting for him to invite him to join the ranks of researchers.
"Sheldon…" Dr. Linkletter, having calmed down, looked at Sheldon and asked with a serious expression, "Can you tell me why you used a different problem-solving method for these last few steps?"
Previously, when Sheldon was an assistant, he had inappropriately offered many personal insights into this research project.
Although his behavior did not cause any impact on the research results.
However, Sheldon's ill-timed desire to show off still greatly reduced Dr. Linkletter's impression of him.
It just so happened that his answer this time had a few minor issues, and he just happened to encounter Dr. Linkletter in a bad mood.
"I think it would be simpler to use existing problem-solving methods for these steps…" Sheldon looked at his answer sheet, trying to explain forcefully.
Actually, Sheldon had used problem-solving steps he was familiar with in the last few steps because he felt pressure from Paige and wanted to get the answer quickly.
However, simplifying problem-solving steps was a problem that only needed to be considered in the second research phase of the new formula.
Moreover, Sheldon's old-fashioned problem-solving behavior was clearly inconsistent with the theme of this research on the new formula.
"It seems you still don't understand the purpose of our research project." Dr. Linkletter declared, "Therefore, I regret to inform you, Sheldon, that you cannot participate in our second phase of research as a researcher."
"Why?" Sheldon expressed strong dissatisfaction upon hearing the verdict.
"No why." Dr. Linkletter didn't waste any more words explaining. After speaking, he turned and walked out.
He wanted to take advantage of the remaining break time to sit in his private office for a while.
"Wait, Dr. Linkletter." Dr. Sturgis called out to him and said, "Sheldon's problem-solving approach is correct. I believe he is qualified to participate in our second phase of work as a researcher."
Dr. Sturgis, who was deeply involved with Connie, was preparing to give Sheldon some preferential treatment.
"Scientific research requires a rigorous attitude." Dr. Linkletter, out of respect for Dr. Sturgis, stopped and explained, "No matter who makes a mistake, they must accept the consequences."
"Who hasn't made mistakes?" Dr. Sturgis continued to argue, "Sheldon is still young. How about giving him another chance for Connie's sake?"
Dr. Sturgis tried to play the emotional card.
"That's your business." Dr. Linkletter shook his head impatiently and quickly walked out of the laboratory.
Previously, after learning that Connie was taken, Dr. Linkletter had not pursued her further.
Similarly, he would not give her grandson any special treatment now because of Connie.
"What a rigid fellow…" Dr. Sturgis complained, then said to the dejected Sheldon, "Sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you this time."
"Aren't you the head of this project?" Sheldon asked, holding onto a last shred of hope.
"Dr. Linkletter is also a head, our authority is the same." Dr. Sturgis explained, "So, my authority alone is not enough to make you a researcher directly…"
"I understand." Sheldon thought for a moment and asked, "If I can convince Dr. Linkletter, is there still a chance to become a researcher?"
"Of course," Dr. Sturgis agreed, then added, "However, I advise you not to waste your efforts. I know Linkletter's personality very well. Once he makes a decision, he won't change it easily."
Clearly, Dr. Sturgis had already seen that Sheldon had some ulterior motives.
"That's not necessarily true. Maybe I can succeed." In order to become an official researcher, Sheldon decided to try harder. He looked at Dr. Sturgis and asked, "Can you tell me about Dr. Linkletter and Connie?"
To achieve his goal, Sheldon might be thinking of trying the selling Meemaw tactic again.