With everyone's consent, Ms. Sharon found a relatively difficult Math Olympiad test paper on short notice and distributed it to everyone, including the reserve members.
"The top five students in this test will directly become official members of the Math Olympiad team. At the same time, the person with the highest score will be the captain of the Math Olympiad team in the future."
Before the test, Ms. Sharon confirmed the rules again, giving Cavanaugh the fairness she wanted.
Then the test began, expected to take one hour.
Because the test paper Ms. Sharon found was quite difficult, Cavanaugh just barely finished the questions when the exam time was over.
Having completed this "feat," a somewhat confident smile appeared on her face.
Comparatively speaking, compared to the reserve members of the Math Olympiad team who were still scratching their heads when handing in the test papers, Cavanaugh was indeed a "genius."
Of course, this "genius" referred to a genius in the category of ordinary people.
Because on the other side, as early as half an hour ago, Mike, Paige, and Young Sheldon had already easily answered all the questions.
It's just a pity that Cavanaugh, who had been immersed in doing the questions before, didn't notice this.
Having handed in the test paper at this time, she was feeling good about herself.
Another half an hour later, Ms. Sharon on the podium finished correcting all the test papers.
"Student Parker, 60 points, performed well, please continue to work hard..."
Ms. Sharon distributed the test papers one by one, and soon it was Cavanaugh's turn.
"Cavanaugh, 80 points, great progress, keep it up..."
Amidst the encouraging voices, Cavanaugh stepped forward with a smile and took her test paper.
Next, while walking back to her seat, the girl seemed to glance at Mike unconsciously, with a provocative look in her eyes.
Compared to the reserve members who generally only scored thirty or forty, fifty or sixty points, Cavanaugh, who scored a high score of eighty, indeed had the capital to be proud.
However, in the next moment, her pride was shattered.
"Dan, 90 points..."
Dan, whose score was read out, stepped forward humbly to retrieve the test paper. Compared to Cavanaugh, he was low-key to the point of being humble.
"How is it possible..."
Hearing the score read out, Cavanaugh looked at the seemingly ordinary Dan in disbelief, feeling a bit of a slap in the face.
This wave could be considered a dimensionality reduction strike.
"Next, let's congratulate Mike, Paige, and Young Sheldon; they all got a perfect score of 100. Everyone, applause to encourage~"
Regardless of how the students below felt, Ms. Sharon announced the good news with a smile.
Immediately, bursts of applause rang out in the classroom.
For something like math, you either know it or you don't; Mike and the other two's scores obviously won the students' recognition.
"Alright, the difficult problem of who will be the captain is left to the three of you to decide yourselves..."
After the applause stopped, Ms. Sharon, who was in a good mood, also made a joke.
Ms. Sharon had an idea of Mike and Young Sheldon's level. As for Paige, who suddenly emerged, it was completely a surprise.
And now there was only a little over a month left before the Math Olympiad competition at the end of the year. For the Medford Math Olympiad team, naturally, the more "surprises" like Paige, the better.
"I'm not interested in becoming captain..."
Young Sheldon, who got the test paper, stated bluntly: "I just hope that in the future in the classroom, I can have more time to learn the knowledge I want to learn."
Translated, it probably means: don't bother me in the future!
"I'm not interested in becoming the Math Olympiad team captain either."
Paige then also expressed her thoughts.
She, who had always followed Mike like a little tail, actually didn't have a high presence in school. Of course, this was also the result of her deliberate actions.
Then next, there was no objection to the candidate for the Math Olympiad team captain: Mike took the position of captain without hesitation.
On the other side, Cavanaugh, who suffered another dimensionality reduction strike, shrank into a ball, and even began to doubt life.
It can only be said that there are gaps between "geniuses" too.
Then, the Math Olympiad study room was divided into two teams: one was the "immortal" team of Mike, Paige, and Young Sheldon. Ms. Sharon gave them maximum "freedom."
The rest were Dan and Cavanaugh's special improvement group.
As for those reserve members, they acted as foils, studying with the improvement group.
Just like this, time slowly entered early December, the day the Nobel Prize was about to be announced.
"Mom, are the snacks ready..."
"Mom, we need more drinks..."
"Mom..."
In the spacious basement of the Cooper house, Young Sheldon's commanding voice came out from time to time.
December 10th, the date of the Nobel Prize selection.
To welcome the good news, Young Sheldon specially transformed the basement into a "small conference room" to listen to the entire process of the Nobel Prize selection.
At the same time, to share the achievement with more people, Young Sheldon also invited all the students in the school to come to his home to listen to the broadcast together.
At this time, he was preparing to "receive" his classmates.
"Enough, Shelly. You need to rest for a while!"
Mary, who was ordered around in circles, finally couldn't bear her younger son's "nagging."
No choice, Young Sheldon's emotions today were really too excited. He became more "annoying" than usual.
Even the family members who came to watch the excitement had a look of "disdain" on their faces.
Especially Georgie, whose room was forcibly requisitioned, had dissatisfaction on his face.
"Sheldon, listen to me, no one will come to be foolish with you today..."
Georgie, knowing Young Sheldon's popularity in school, looked at his messy room and couldn't help but start "mocking."
"No, science is a very sacred thing, I will find people with the same aspirations. As for those simple-minded people, I don't care about their opinions."
Young Sheldon was as sharp-tongued as ever.
But he still had some sense; looking at the large amount of snacks and drinks piled up in the room, he didn't make a fuss for his mother to prepare more.
Just as Georgie and Young Sheldon were bickering, Mike walked in leading a group of people.
Yes, as collaborators of the Thruster Recovery project, Mike and Paige both received Young Sheldon's invitation.
Of course, behind Mike followed Lena, Mia, Meemaw Connie, and Dan, whom they met at the door.
"See, I said I could find companions."
Seeing Mike and the others arrive, a look of pride appeared on Young Sheldon's face.
"Say whatever you want, but I can conclude that besides Mike and his group, no one else will come to attend your weird party."
Georgie continued to tit-for-tat.
"Then let's wait and see."
Young Sheldon retorted unconvinced.
However, as time passed, Georgie's words seemed to be confirmed; no outsiders came to the Cooper basement.
"How could this be."
Seeing that the Nobel Prize selection time was approaching and the room was still "deserted," Young Sheldon's expression gradually became lost.
Everyone's love for science didn't seem as high as he thought.
"You probably didn't inform others that Mike is here too. Otherwise, your party would definitely be very lively."
Missy, leaning next to Mike, eating snacks and drinking beverages, gave a pertinent evaluation of this "party."
"You're right~"
Young Sheldon's eyes lit up, and he ran out hurriedly: "I need to make a call; you guys help me watch the radio..."
Not long after, Young Sheldon, who finished the call, ran back in a hurry.
At this time, there were less than ten minutes left before this year's Nobel Prize selection.
"You didn't really inform other students temporarily that Mike is here, did you?"
Looking at Young Sheldon, who was sweating from running, Missy asked speechlessly.
"Of course not; I said I don't care about those who don't pay attention to science. I called to confirm how long it will take for Professor John and Dr. Linkletter to arrive."
Young Sheldon answered.
For today's party, Young Sheldon also invited John and Linkletter.
This instantly raised the level of this "cultured people's" party.
"Hope we are not late..."
Moments before the Nobel Prize selection, Professor John and Dr. Linkletter, specially dressed in formal wear, arrived just in time.
"Welcome to listen to this year's Nobel Prize selection..."
After the two old men sat down, the Nobel Prize selection program sounded from the radio.
"Coming up next is this year's Nobel Prize in Physics. Nominated are Professor Georges Charpak from the Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles in the romantic country and his team..."
"Next, also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics are Professor John, Dr. Linkletter, and their team from the University of Texas, USA..."
Under everyone's expectation, good news came from the radio.
At the same time, Professor John, Dr. Linkletter, and Young Sheldon all showed joyous expressions on their faces.
But before the result was confirmed, no one spoke to celebrate.
"Next, let us witness the final winner of this year's Nobel Prize in Physics. He is Georges Charpak and his research team. Let us congratulate Professor Charpak; he and his team have made significant contributions in the field of physics, inventing and developing several particle detectors, and also made outstanding contributions in the work of multi-wire proportional chambers..."
The radio introduced the life and achievements of this year's Nobel Prize in Physics winner.
Obviously, the research project of Professor John and the others was still a step behind and failed to win the final honor.
"Phew~ It's already very good to get a Nobel Prize nomination; our research won't be in vain..."
After a long time, Dr. Linkletter spoke optimistically.
It's just that the expression on his face couldn't hide the regret.
"Yeah, no need to be depressed; we still have opportunities in the future."
Professor John spoke immediately after, but his behavior was more like a loser's self-consolation.
You know, seventy years old is definitely considered advanced age.
For researchers of this age, what is lacking is not experience but passion and drive.
At this time, the two old men probably knew in their hearts that they should be destined to miss the Nobel Prize in this life.
"John, are you okay?"
In the low pressure, Meemaw Connie stepped forward and hugged Professor John.
Although the two had broken up, they were still friends.
On the other side, Mary was also comforting her depressed younger son.
And Mike and Paige, who also participated in the scientific research project, acted very calmly at this time.