As soon as Sheldon finished his introduction, Libby smiled and said, "Hello, Mike, my name is Libby, it's nice to meet you."
Saying that, the girl, who seemed to have a very outgoing personality, extended her right hand.
"Mm, it's nice to meet you too," Mike said, holding a thick sandwich in both hands and nodding reservedly.
It turned out that Mike didn't want to shake her hand; it was entirely because he had nowhere to put the sandwich in his hands and couldn't free them.
Evidently, the girl opposite him also noticed this. She withdrew her hand, still smiling, and continued, "Mike, your performance on the football field was fantastic. Our whole family are your fans..."
Then, the girl naturally started talking about her family. She mentioned that she had three younger brothers and one younger sister, and their family's life depended entirely on their mother's odd jobs.
It was clear from her words that Libby was a very optimistic and strong girl.
However, Mike was a bit surprised that she brought up such a profound topic as soon as they met. Still, he didn't rashly interrupt her.
Moreover, from her description, Mike also realized that Libby had rich experience in taking care of younger brothers and sisters, which might be why she could be friends with Sheldon.
After all, no matter how smart Sheldon was, he was still just a nine-year-old child. In terms of life experience, he still had a long way to go.
Just as Mike's thoughts were wandering, Libby finished the topic of her family. She pulled out a photo and said, "Mike, look, to support you, I collected an autographed photo of you."
Given Mike's current popularity, his photos were not cheap, and the price of an autographed one could easily multiply.
It must be said that Jack had a great business mind; being a reporter was truly a waste of his talent.
Mike glanced at the photo the girl took out, and his brow subtly twitched. If he remembered correctly, this was the exact photo he had autographed for Tam on Monday.
Mike discreetly glanced at Tam and saw him staring intently at Libby, a little infatuated.
He understood; Tam had quietly fallen for Libby here.
Mike didn't expose him; after all, liking someone was sometimes a very private matter.
So, he smiled and replied to Libby, "Thank you for your support."
The girl seemed very happy with Mike's casual thanks. Then, she seized the opportunity to invite him, "Mike, are you free this weekend? We could go on a road trip to Houston. There's a tech exhibition there, and afterward, we can wander around and try the local food."
"Hmm?" Mike's gaze gradually became strange, and he felt a bit dazed.
Seeing the girl's familiar and enthusiastic manner, Mike even wondered if he was very familiar with her.
However, such a situation was impossible to imagine.
Libby also seemed to realize that she was a bit too enthusiastic. So, she turned and asked, "Sheldon, Tam, what do you think of my suggestion? Do you want to come along?"
Tam did not disappoint; he immediately agreed, "A road trip to Houston, that's so cool! Maybe we can even go see a movie; I know a great cinema there."
On the other side, Sheldon, who had been keeping a straight face, was also very interested in the tech exhibition in Houston. He said, "It would indeed be nice to see the tech exhibition in person, but I still need to go home and ask my mom."
Hearing that her plan was successful, Libby happily said, "It's decided then! This weekend, we'll go to Houston together, and I'll drive."
Seeing that she had taken it upon herself to arrange the itinerary, Mike immediately spoke up and refused, "I'm sorry, I already have plans this weekend. I hope you all have fun."
When Mike refused, Libby's enthusiastic smile visibly froze on her face.
But Mike didn't pay attention to that. He quickly ate the rest of his sandwich in two bites and excused himself, saying, "I'm done eating, so I'll be leaving now. You all take your time."
After this brief interaction, Mike fully understood that Libby had no interest in Tam at all; she was undoubtedly a smart girl.
Tam's value, he suspected, was merely a link for the girl to get closer to him.
It must be said that compared to girls who engineered chance encounters on the road or directly threw themselves at him, Libby's approach of using friendship to get close to Mike was clearly much smarter.
The only pity was that Mike was a very devoted man when it came to relationships; he only liked pretty women. And he had no unconventional ideas.
As Mike left, the atmosphere in the library became awkward.
After a long while, Sheldon raised his hand and asked, "So, are we still going to Houston for the tech exhibition this weekend?"
Libby was momentarily dazed, then said, "Oh, right, I just remembered, I also have plans this weekend. Let's save the Houston trip for another time."
Sheldon, having received his answer, was a little disappointed, and then his brilliant mind began to churn rapidly.
Then, a few seconds later, Sheldon continued, "So, it's because of Mike that we're not going to Houston?"
Libby's change in attitude before and after made Sheldon realize that her target might have always been Mike.
Getting close to him might also have been to talk to Mike.
So, he was used?
This was very important to Sheldon.
Facing Sheldon's repeated questioning, Libby lowered her head and remained silent, which was an implicit acknowledgment.
"I thought we were friends!" Sheldon, having figured everything out, was a bit angry.
"Of course, we're friends," Libby looked up and explained, "But friends are different. I only see you as a younger brother. Mike is different..."
Libby didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear: she had other intentions toward Mike.
However, Sheldon was now unable to hear Libby's unspoken meaning. He only heard that she treated him as a younger brother who needed care, not an equal "friend."
This was also very important to Sheldon. He had always thought that he and Libby became friends because they appreciated each other's talents.
"Fine, Libby. You don't need to prepare twelfth grade textbooks for me anymore. We're not friends," Sheldon said, packing up his unfinished lunch and walking toward the door.
When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned, and said, "Also, I hope you enjoy your meal. But that seat belongs to me; I was here first."
Sheldon's meaning was also very clear: he didn't want to see her there again during the next lunch break.
After Sheldon had been gone for a while, Tam broke the silence: "Um, Libby, how about I treat you to a movie this weekend?"
Although Tam knew he had been used by Libby, he liked her. So, he wanted to try one more time, just in case it worked out.
"I have to take care of my younger brothers and sisters this weekend; I can't get away," Libby said, also putting away her lunchbox and standing up. Before leaving, she confessed, "Also, I only see you as a regular friend. Don't waste your time on me; we're not a good match."
With that, Libby left the library without looking back.