"Who do you think is smarter, Peggy or Sheldon?"
After a moment of silence, Adam couldn't help but ask.
"What do you think?" Juno countered.
"Peggy?" Adam hesitated. "Although girls typically mature earlier than boys, in terms of genius-level intelligence, I don't think that applies. Peggy is younger than Sheldon but still outshines him in every way."
"Didn't you notice?" Juno chuckled. "While playing chess, Peggy was subtly messing with Sheldon's emotions. It's no surprise Sheldon lost—chess tests both intelligence and mental fortitude."
"You're right," Adam nodded after some thought. "Peggy kept steering the conversation while quietly taking Sheldon's pieces. She's cunning!"
"That's called wisdom," Juno laughed. "Sheldon's emotional resilience doesn't come close to Peggy's."
"True," Adam agreed. "So, you think Peggy isn't necessarily smarter but has stronger emotional intelligence?"
"Not at all," Juno shook her head. "Emotional resilience is a form of intelligence. By every measure, Peggy surpasses Sheldon. We might see the emergence of another Madame Curie in the future."
"She might not grow into her potential," Adam quipped. "Sheldon's world doesn't tolerate peers who are smarter than him."
Adam recalled how a young Dr. Kim from the North Universe disrupted Sheldon's world by breaking several of his records at a young age. It pushed Sheldon to the brink of abandoning his scientific career.
Although Leonard and the gang helped Sheldon bounce back, he couldn't return to string theory research. Instead, he decided to collaborate with them.
As a super genius, Sheldon wasn't one to be underestimated. Despite ignoring their work, the moment he got involved—whether in experimental physics, astrophysics, or mechanical design—his ideas left Leonard and the others in awe.
To preserve their confidence, Leonard and the gang devised a plan to refocus Sheldon on string theory. They even contemplated extreme measures like sabotage, though they ultimately settled on the tried-and-true "honey trap."
Dr. Kim, only 15 and new to the country, couldn't resist the ploy. Soon, he was so engrossed with his girlfriend that he posed no threat to Sheldon.
When the group later saw the once-brilliant Dr. Kim looking disheveled at the park, Leonard and the others felt a pang of guilt. But Sheldon merely scoffed, "Serves him right for being so weak!"
The group was speechless.
For Sheldon, the choice between science and romance was a no-brainer—science always won. At the time, Sheldon seemed asexual, and Leonard joked that if Sheldon didn't go extinct, his most likely means of reproduction would be spore division. One day, after overeating Thai food, he'd split into two Sheldons.
If such a Sheldon faced a fully matured Peggy, it'd be a battle to the death.
In the original timeline, this scenario didn't unfold because Peggy's parents divorced shortly after, leaving Peggy emotionally scarred and turning her into a troubled teenager.
The thought hit Adam like a lightning bolt.
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Currently, Peggy was too cold and intimidating, completely ignoring Adam, which made it impossible for him to interact with her or gain intelligence points. But if she became a troubled teen, her soul would undoubtedly warm up despite her aloof exterior. Adam just needed to provide the right remedy to connect with her.
He didn't need to become her best friend—just enough to meet the system's criteria.
From that moment, Adam kept a close eye on Peggy, seizing any chance to make himself known. Juno, however, watched Adam's antics with disdain and increasingly dangerous glares.
For instance, one day...
Little Sheldon excitedly announced, "This Wednesday morning, the Nobel Prize in Physics will be announced live from Sweden. We can hear it on the radio—who wants to join me?"
"How boring," said Emmett.
"What time?" Juno asked.
"Will Peggy come?" Adam inquired.
"Because of the time difference, it's 5 a.m. here," Sheldon explained earnestly. "Peggy? Are you kidding? I wouldn't want to witness this great scientific event with her!"
"Five in the morning?" Juno thought for a moment and shook her head. "That's too early. It'll still be dark, and I doubt I'll be awake."
"Alright," Sheldon looked slightly disappointed and turned to Adam. "What about you?"
"Sorry," Adam declined. "If Emmett and Juno aren't coming and you're not inviting Peggy, it's just the two of us. That's too few people. I'd rather listen at home."
"Fine," Sheldon frowned, then huffed, "If you won't come, someone else will!"
"I highly doubt that," Adam teased. "Why not invite Peggy? If she comes, we'll all join. The more, the merrier!"
"No, thank you," Sheldon shook his head without hesitation, still bitter about being outdone by Peggy.
Later, Adam and the others discovered Sheldon's method firsthand.
Sheldon broadcasted over the school's PA system: "I'd like to invite everyone to my garage at 5 a.m. to witness scientific history. Snacks and drinks will be provided. All are welcome..."
"Oh, dear God," Emmett groaned, facepalming. "Does Sheldon really think this will work?"
"That's actually quite an improvement," Juno laughed. "In the past, Sheldon wouldn't have invited anyone."
"Peggy really has influenced him," Adam nodded.
Previously, Sheldon didn't care about anyone's opinions, dismissing others as mere mortals. But Peggy's presence sparked his jealousy and forced him to reevaluate.
They were kindred spirits.
Peggy once remarked, "Socially isolated children often become eccentric and unsociable."
She cited a 1988 article from *Psychology Journal*. The logic struck a nerve with Sheldon, prompting him to engage in more social activities, such as running for student council president, hosting the weekly radio show, and now inviting everyone to witness a historic scientific moment.
Before Peggy, such behavior was unimaginable.