Chapter 231: Crying Sheldon - You're Facing Death, but I'm Facing Chuck!
"Exactly!"
Chief Randy Fischer refused to believe it either. "He's a hero! Chuck, are you sure your reasoning is sound?"
"You're the police chief, you tell me,"
Chandler retorted.
"Heroes are always about ability, not character!"
Chuck said calmly.
Of course, there are true heroes with both ability and character, but more often there are those with ability but lacking in character.
For example, astronaut Wernher von Braun, who is hailed as a hero and idol by everyone, is simply because four years ago, when he piloted the space shuttle back to Earth, an accident occurred, and he calmly and successfully landed it—that was merely a demonstration of his ability.
"I remember, six days ago NASA had a live TV broadcast of Wernher von Braun piloting the space shuttle for a three-day mission to the space station,"
Monica said, suddenly realizing. "If it was him, then everything makes sense. If his plan succeeds, the police will date her suicide or attack to five days ago, giving him the perfect alibi! Because he would still be in space, under everyone's watchful eyes!"
"That's not a perfect alibi,"
Chief Randy Fischer shook his head.
"What other brilliant ideas do you have?"
Chandler immediately laughed. "Unless Chuck's deduction is wrong, do you think he could have come down and secretly killed her after going into space?"
"You think so too?"
Chief Randy Fischer, who had only hesitated slightly, immediately brightened up upon hearing Chandler's words, looking at him with the eyes of someone who understood him.
"..."
Chandler was speechless.
What was he thinking?
He was clearly being blatantly sarcastic!
Unfortunately, the naturally oblivious Chief Randy Fischer was his nemesis. He didn't catch the sarcasm at all, taking it as agreement with his wildly imaginative deduction. He excitedly searched around and found a globe and a rather phallic cylindrical object to demonstrate to everyone. "We'll use this to represent the Earth, and this to represent the Space Shuttle."
"This certainly represents the Earth!"
Chandler corrected, then looked at the object in Chief Fischer's hand, posing as the Space Shuttle, with utter sarcasm. "But where did you find something so perfectly shaped to represent the Space Shuttle?"
"Thank you."
Chief Randy Fischer, as always, ignored the sarcasm in Chandler's words, and smiled while holding the 'space shuttle' in his hand. "Actually, this is more representative of a rocket launching into space, but the conditions here are limited, so please use your imagination."
He then leaned close to Chandler's ear and whispered in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "To better understand you, my partner, I watched some interview videos of your mother. She mentioned that an 'elegant lady' would definitely have this on her bedside table, and I found it right away. So... thank you to your mother, and thank you to you."
He then failed to notice that Chandler's face had completely darkened. Holding the 'space shuttle' in one hand and a globe in the other, he began to demonstrate his deduction.
"Even if he was in the space shuttle in the sky, it doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't murder her. You see, after the space shuttle went into space, while everyone else wasn't paying attention, he secretly returned to Earth in an escape pod, came back and hanged her, and then secretly flew back up to rejoin his teammates, without anyone knowing!"
"What a brilliant, stealthy approach!"
Monica stared in disbelief at Chief Randy Fischer, who had uttered this deduction, deeply questioning how he had become police chief.
"This is just a preliminary theory, used to verify another possibility besides Chuck's,"
Chief Randy Fischer said with a modest smile. "And it's possible that in court, the opposing lawyer might use this to refute Chuck's claim that Wernher von Braun went to great lengths to create an alibi by designing a timed hanging system to commit murder. We need to anticipate this and develop strategies to persuade the jurors not to believe this theory."
"We will try our best."
Compared to Chandler and Monica's silence, Chuck nodded calmly. "Now, have the forensic team thoroughly search the house, inside and out, paying special attention to these areas: the front doors, living room, kitchen, back door, and windows. Collect any possible fingerprints, hair, and other clues."
"Okay!"
Chief Randy Fischer immediately went to make a call.
"We'll try?"
Chandler couldn't help but ask after he left. "Only a stupid juror would believe his story, right? Escape pods and relaunches—can that be simpler than a timed hanging system?"
"Who knows?"
Chuck said. "People only believe what they want to believe. Even if Randy's idea is unreliable, even if he says the space program and the moon landing were fake, just special effects, many people would still believe it."
"You thought of that too?"
Chief Randy Fischer, who had just finished his call, immediately brightened up upon hearing the second half of the sentence.
He leaned closer and lowered his voice again, saying. "Actually, that was the first thing that flashed into my mind. If the space program and the moon landing were all fake, just special effects, then it would be even easier for Wernher von Braun to sneak over and commit murder. I was just afraid you'd think I was too conspiratorial, so I changed it to a more workable theory."
"...Awesome! (Voice cracks)!"
Chandler gave Chief Randy Fischer a thumbs up, completely convinced.
"What should we do now?"
Monica asked.
"Go pick up Howard Jr.!"
Chuck walked out.
"Why pick him up?"
Monica didn't immediately understand.
"To meet his idol."
Chuck said succinctly.
"Maybe we shouldn't?"
Monica followed, hesitating. "Wernher von Braun is a murderer!"
"So?"
Chuck got into the driver's seat.
"..."
Monica followed into the passenger seat, speechless. "Taking Howard to meet a murderer isn't a good idea."
"There's nothing wrong with it."
Chuck waited until Monica had skillfully buckled up, started the car, and said. "For him who wants to take photos and commemorate the moment, this might be better."
Monica was completely speechless.
She had witnessed her brother Ross's lifelong obsession with collecting action figures and comic books.
And little Howard is clearly an upgraded version of Ross!
A photo with a hero is certainly precious, but Wernher von Braun has his own PR team and frequently attends various events, taking countless photos with people, so it's not considered particularly valuable.
But once a hero falls from grace, that moment captured in a photo becomes incredibly valuable. Judging by Monica's assessment of her little cousin's character, he would most likely be more delighted than experience any negative emotions.
Outside a villa.
Chuck and his team picked up little Howard and the others from the Hofstadter house, and Chandler and Chief Randy Fischer followed behind.
"Are they having a party?"
Howard's eyes lit up. "I love parties!"
"So noisy, I knew I shouldn't have come."
Sheldon, who came along, grumbled. "They're all only as smart as space monkeys, and all they do is party. No wonder they still haven't solved my math problem from three years ago."
"Nobody invited you!"
Leonard, who also loved excitement, was with Chuck and his new, nice-talking friend Howard. He was also about to meet the space hero, and his heart was filled with joy. He couldn't stand Sheldon's shrill voice even more than usual.
Sheldon glared at Leonard, who was more outrageous than usual, but Leonard didn't even bother to look at him. He could only shift his angry and frustrated gaze to Chuck.
Chuck nodded at him, indicating, "That's right! It's all my fault! Just deal with it!"
Young Sheldon understood the meaning in Chuck's eyes and his imagination ran wild, making him increasingly frustrated and secretly regretting coming.
Unbeknownst to him, he had unwittingly provided Chuck with double the satisfaction.
"A space hero,"
young Leonard, unaware of their real reason for coming, only knowing they were there to see space hero Wernher von Braun, said, his words more enthusiastic than usual. "I saw him on TV just a few days ago, and now I can see him in person! I've decided, I want to be a rocket scientist someday."
Chuck glanced at him.
In the original timeline, young Leonard, after growing up, had indeed researched rocket fuel, playing with miniature experiments in his apartment, almost blowing up the place and themselves.
"Me too,"
young Howard laughed.
"A rocket scientist?"
Young Sheldon scoffed disdainfully. "I know why I don't like you guys; all you can do is research these things."
"..."
Young Howard remembered what Chuck had told him before; indeed, a rocket scientist wouldn't even qualify as a friend to such an arrogant little brat.
"It's not like we like you."
With Howard Jr. around, Leonard Jr. looked down on Sheldon Jr. even more. Besides, with so many people around, especially Chuck, he felt even more emboldened to speak his mind. "You laugh at us for only dreaming of becoming rocket scientists. What are you planning to study?"
"Theoretical physics, of course!"
Sheldon Jr. proudly declared, chin raised.
"Pfft!"
Leonard Jr. mimicked Sheldon Jr.'s disdainful expression. "I know why we dislike you so much. That's all you can study. Why don't you set your future goals like Chuck's, or like Paige's?"
Seeing the guy who usually obeyed him and whom he thought had some potential for reform now publicly using the two big devils to intimidate him, Sheldon Jr.'s lips twitched and his eyes convulsed.
He was speechless.
In the scientific hierarchy, mathematics stood at the very top, with theoretical physics just below it.
Having already tentatively decided to study theoretical physics in the future, he could regard rocket scientists, the epitome of genius in the eyes of most people, as no different from toll collectors. But when others used mathematics and even cited examples of the Big and Little Devils to attack him, what could he do but feel frustrated?
"Alright, everyone, say less."
Monica felt sorry for him seeing her future child's template so distressed and quickly spoke up to stop them.
Chuck had watched enough of the show, collected the newly added points, and then rang the doorbell.
"Dr. Wolfe."
After knocking, a tall man with a military bearing opened the door and recognized Chuck at a glance. "I'm really honored that you can come."
"You know him?"
Young Sheldon vented his dissatisfaction and grievance. "But you don't recognize me?"
Heroic astronaut Wernher von Braun looked down and smiled. "Excuse me, who are you?"
"You work at NASA—haven't you heard that three years ago, I completed the mathematical calculations for reusable rockets for you?"
Young Sheldon exclaimed.
"Really?"
Wernher von Braun looked at him with surprise and suspicion, then smiled and said. "I didn't know that, but I do know that Dr. Wolfe has helped NASA solve many problems and made outstanding contributions to the development of the space program. He is NASA's most valuable consultant."
"Well, I never knew you were a consultant to NASA?"
Chandler teased. "What organization aren't you a consultant to?"
"I run a consulting firm—is that so strange?"
Chuck glanced at him.
"..."
Chandler was speechless.
"Dr. Wolfe, and everyone else... please come in, we're having a party to celebrate this successful mission."
Wernher von Braun stepped aside and invited everyone in.
"Mr. von Braun, you're my idol."
Leonard Jr. said happily. "Four years ago, in that emergency, you remained calm and successfully landed. It was simply amazing."
"Yeah, and you also married the Olympic figure skating champion... you're my idol too."
Howard Jr.'s words became somewhat inappropriate.
"What a winner in life,"
Chandler grumbled with a hint of envy and jealousy. "It's strange that we have any connection, but I'm really glad we do."
Wernher von Braun gave Chandler a strange look.
"Mr. von Braun, may I ask you a question?"
Leonard asked.
"Of course,"
Wernher von Braun replied politely with a nod and a smile.
"You said Chuck has solved many problems for NASA—how many exactly?"
Leonard asked.
"That's classified, I don't know,"
Wernher von Braun smiled. "But if you know the meaning of 'most valuable,' you should have a general idea."
"Of course I have an idea!"
Leonard grinned at Sheldon. "I know some people don't have this concept. They keep talking about a small achievement from years ago, but the person who truly helped NASA solve many problems never mentions it. Why do you think that is?"
"Because it's nothing to Chuck?"
Howard, his friend, accurately grasped the key point.
"Why is there such a big difference between people?"
After mocking Sheldon, he and his friend did the classic E.T. finger-to-finger gesture, then chuckled.
Sheldon burst into tears, ignoring Leonard and Howard, and instead staring at Chuck, the culprit, with the same look he'd given bullies.
"What are you crying about?"
Before Monica could speak, Wernher von Braun frowned and said. "A real man doesn't cry! Problems can be solved."
Seeing Sheldon looking at him with tearful indignation, he patiently explained. "You've heard about it. Four years ago, I successfully landed. Do you think I wasn't afraid then? No! I was terrified! But does fear solve problems? No! So I endured my fear and worked hard to find a solution, and that's how I succeeded. If I can do it, so can you!"
"You're facing death, but I'm facing Chuck Wolfe!"
Young Sheldon, utterly unconvinced, cried out in frustration and despair.
Everyone: "..."
(End of Chapter)
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