In the next few days, Raj and Dr. Gablehauser collaborated to create their paper, "Using the Density of Celestial Objects in the Kuiper Belt to Limit Its Elemental Composition and Formation History."
Howard returned to his former Mars rover project team and continued his work exploring Mars, while Leslie also resumed his own research on symbolic lepton supersymmetry.
The three of them only managed to get together after work in the evenings to discuss the superfluid vortex experiment.
After all, designing an experiment is not a one-time job. After some scientific theories are proposed, it often takes years or even decades to design experiments capable of verifying their validity.
In the show, nearly a year had passed from when Leonard and Sheldon first proposed the superfluid surface tension theory to when they actually conducted the official superfluid vortex experiment.
For one thing, the three of them each had their own research projects. If they abandoned these projects and only worked on the quantum navigation system, the school would never agree to such an arrangement.
In the show, when Sheldon found that his string theory research had reached a dead end and had not made any progress for a long time, he wanted to switch to research on the theory of cosmic inflation, but was blocked by the school.
The reason was that the school had hired him specifically to study string theory, and his research funds could only be used for string theory. He was not allowed to change fields without permission.
And their research projects had to produce scientific results. Otherwise, if a project was cancelled, they risked being fired.
In the show, Rajesh was almost deported because his project was canceled after he failed to determine the composition of trans-Neptunian objects.
Before Raj, Howard, and Leslie had deduced superfluid surface tension, it had only taken them a few days. As long as they took vacation time or were a bit lazy, they could cover up the time spent, but it wouldn't work if they continued like this indefinitely.
Therefore, they were busy with their own projects now, and could only work on the experiment during their free time.
"Raj, Howie~" During lunch, Leonard sat down with his meal tray. "You have to help me persuade Sheldon."
"What happened to him?" Howard asked curiously.
"After he was dismissed by Dr. Gablehauser, he now stays at home every day and keeps changing research projects. The day before yesterday he studied scrambled eggs, yesterday he studied luminous fish, and today he even bought a textile machine..." Leonard said helplessly, holding his forehead.
"Wow, really?! Then I'm going to have to see this for myself." Howard said excitedly when he heard it.
"Howie, now is not the time to gloat. Our friend needs our help," Leonard said seriously.
"Leonard, how do you want us to help him?" Raj asked. "Actually, we all understand that the best way to solve this situation is for Sheldon to apologize to Dr. Gablehauser.
But with his arrogant and self-important character, how can he possibly bow his head and apologize? Even our persuasion would be useless—when has he ever listened to our advice?"
"Yeah, Sheldon always thinks he's the only one who's right. When has he ever actually listened to what we say?" Howard shook his head in resignation, giving up any hope of persuading Sheldon to apologize.
"So what should we do? Just sit back and do nothing while we watch him throw his career away?" Leonard asked urgently, the frustration evident in his voice.
He had to admit that Raj was right. He'd tried persuading Sheldon countless times, but it had always been useless. That's why he was now asking Raj and Howard for help.
"Well, that's not entirely true. He is our friend, after all," Raj said, waving his hand dismissively. "My suggestion is this: since we can't persuade him ourselves, why don't we find someone who actually can persuade him?"
Hearing this, Leonard's eyes lit up immediately. "Hey, Raj, that's a brilliant idea! I can't believe I never thought of it before."
"Oh, what kind of terrible scheme did you two just cook up?" Howard shook his head and complained. "Why don't we just let him stay at home for a few more days so we can enjoy some peace and quiet? Wouldn't that be nice?"
Despite Howard's objections, Leonard went ahead and invited Sheldon's mother to help out, just as Raj had suggested.
When Mom steps in, one is worth two.
At his mother's insistence, Sheldon obediently apologized to Dr. Gablehauser and returned to work at Caltech.
"Welcome back, Sheldon!" During lunch a few days later, the four sat together again, and Raj greeted him with a warm smile.
"Hmph." Sheldon made a face and turned away.
"What's the matter?" Raj asked, genuinely confused. He hadn't done anything to provoke Sheldon recently, so he didn't understand why Sheldon was giving him the cold shoulder.
"It was you who suggested that Leonard contact my mother," Sheldon said, staring at Raj with wide, accusing eyes. "I am now issuing you your first warning."
"What?! You're giving me a warning for that?" Raj was genuinely surprised. "I did that for your own good, Sheldon."
"I'm an adult. I can take care of my own affairs," Sheldon said self-righteously. "And no matter what happens to me, no one should ever call my mother."
"Okay, since you're such an adult, why don't you dare to drive, go to the dentist, or even get your own meals? Why do you constantly ask your friends to help you with everything?" Seeing that Sheldon was being completely ungrateful, Raj felt no guilt whatsoever and immediately shot back angrily.
"Otters want to eat clams, so they know to smash them open with stones. In my opinion, you are simply my tools," Sheldon said matter-of-factly, then held up two fingers. "Also, that's your second warning! Three warnings and you're out!"
"Are you seriously doing this right now? You know what? Just go ahead and give me the third warning. I'm not interested in being friends with someone who only treats me as a tool," Raj said angrily. He then picked up his tray of food and moved to sit at another table.
"Raj, come back! Sheldon didn't mean that," Leonard called out, hurriedly intervening as he saw his friend heading towards a different table.
Raj ignored him completely.
Breaking off ties with Sheldon would do more good than harm, he had decided. Sheldon was selfish, had a vicious tongue, was conceited and emotionally tone-deaf, and constantly showed off while grabbing credit for others' work. Whoever cooperated with him was bound to suffer eventually.
In the past, Raj had stayed with him mainly because of loneliness. He had no real friends in the United States—only Leonard, Howard, and Sheldon. The four of them shared similar interests and could geek out together over physics, comic books, and science fiction. So to avoid the crushing isolation, Raj had endured the grievances and insults, swallowing his pride time and again.
But now everything was different. Raj was no longer that pathologically shy person who couldn't speak to women without alcohol. He had developed normal communication skills and could actually make more friends beyond their insular little group.
Moreover, he was now deeply engaged with his scientific research and projects at the university. Activities like game night, comic book night, and paintball shooting—things he used to attend religiously—he hadn't participated in for quite some time. His priorities had shifted.
Therefore, breaking off relations with Sheldon now wouldn't affect his life negatively. If anything, it would help him stay away from a constant troublemaker and live a considerably happier, more peaceful existence.
Seeing that Raj had made up his mind to leave, Leonard couldn't help but sigh in depression, his shoulders sagging.
Howard glanced at Sheldon, then at Raj's retreating figure, then stood up decisively. Without a word, he picked up his meal tray and sat down across from Raj at another table, a clear statement of solidarity.
The quartet had broken up.
Leonard's frown deepened as he watched this unfold. He didn't have many friends to begin with, and now he'd lost two of them in the span of a single meal. The cafeteria suddenly felt much emptier.
"Are you happy now?!" He looked at Sheldon with sadness and frustration evident in his voice.
"Why would I be unhappy?" Sheldon responded with complete indifference, adjusting his napkin. "Reducing meaningless social interactions will allow me to focus more efficiently on my work. It's actually quite optimal."
"My God!" Leonard was genuinely starting to regret calling Sheldon's mother to intervene in the roommate agreement crisis. If he had known this would be the result—the complete dissolution of their friend group—it would have been better to let Sheldon sulk at home for a few more days.
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