Because the issue was far too sensitive, even after the Cooper family had made their stance clear, those reporters looking to dig up a big scoop still lingered until nightfall before they were willing to disperse.
As for the Cooper family members who had returned to the house, after all the commotion, their spirits were not very high.
It was foreseeable that although Sheldon's trouble had been momentarily glossed over, the sensitive topics surrounding the Cooper family were far from over.
After all, you can always trust in the ability of a group of reporters to stir up trouble for a big story.
"Alright, Shelly. Go eat—"
The incident had already happened, and since it had reached this point, Mary no longer had the heart to continue blaming her youngest son.
Instead, looking at his pale little face, Mary's tone as a mother became a few degrees softer.
"Thank God for the food he has provided us, and please protect us as we get through this difficulty..."
After everyone took their seats, the daily pre-meal prayer segment began at the dining table.
"Everyone can eat now." Once the prayer ended, Mary squeezed out a forced smile and greeted everyone.
"Wait—"
Just as everyone was about to start dinner, Sheldon suddenly stood up.
Then, under the inquisitive gazes of the group, he ran into the kitchen and found the leftover sandwich from his lunch.
Afterward, returning to the table with the sandwich, he took a large bite of the bread, chewed for a good while, and said seriously amidst the astonished looks of the crowd: "I think the taste of sweet bread is actually not too bad."
Events proved that Sheldon's awkward personality was not unchangeable.
At the very least, realizing that he had caused a huge mess this time, he successfully accepted the flavor of sweet bread.
"Thank God!"
Seeing her youngest son's sensible behavior, Mary received some measure of comfort in her heart.
One piece of good news was that she wouldn't have to worry about her youngest son's lunch issues anymore.
Then, over the next few days, just as everyone had feared, some reporters—for the sake of topicality—vaguely revealed Sheldon's previous remarks in the newspapers.
The consequence of such behavior was that even more reporters, having heard the news, swarmed around the Cooper family vicinity.
Like a swarm of flies that couldn't be driven away-
Clearly, these reporters all held ulterior motives, wanting to continue expanding the incident to gain fame and profit from it.
The Cooper family, having prepared themselves mentally, never mentioned the previous sensitive topics again from that day forward.
Meanwhile, to deal with the crisis, Connie even hung the Stars and Stripes at her front door.
...
As for Sheldon, who was at the center of the topic, the Uncle Sam cosplay outfit became his regular attire during this period.
And having learned to be smarter, when he was stopped by reporters again, he no longer spoke recklessly like before.
Singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" on the spot became his best choice.
After pulling back and forth like this for about a week, the batch of reporters who arrived later finally realized that there was no hope for a big scoop.
Though still unwilling, under the strict defense of the Cooper family, they could only choose to leave.
As for the first batch of reporters who arrived, they took advantage of the fact that the heat from The Plastics's spring stage performance had not yet faded, and refocused their attention on the lifestyle gossip of Regina and the other girls.
Consequently, the students and teachers of Medford High also felt the enthusiasm of the reporters at the campus gates.
In particular, the classmates and subject teachers of the girls received special "care" from the reporters.
Later, after another week or so, as the heat of The Plastics died down, the first batch of reporters finally left the town of Medford one after another.
Time came to the end of February; the Cooper family, who had endured more than half a month of torment, finally regained their peace with the departure of the reporters.
"Happy birthday to you!"
On this day, February 26th, Sheldon also welcomed his eleventh birthday.
"Make a wish, Shelly—"
At the dining table, Mary brought out a Cupcake with eleven candles for her youngest son.
"I hope I can grow up faster..."
Sheldon closed his eyes and continued wishing: "Also, I hope my family, as well as Mike and Paige, can stay healthy forever—"
As the candles were blown out, everyone who heard Sheldon's wish showed a knowing smile.
Clearly, having gone through the previous storm, Sheldon finally understood the importance of family.
This could be considered a form of growth.
"Alright, Shelly. You can hand out the cake now—" If one were to ask who was the happiest today, it was definitely Mary, the mother.
Afterward, with her help, Sheldon divided the birthday cake equally into eight portions and delivered them into everyone's hands.
"Sheldon, I have some good news, do you want to hear it?" Georgie, who had received his cake, asked playfully.
"What is the good news?" Still a child after all, Sheldon showed his inquisitive side.
"The good news is..."
After Georgie intentionally left them in suspense, he then smiled and continued: "You don't have to wear that strange outfit starting tomorrow. Well, are you happy?"
Just like Captain America's bodysuit, Sheldon's Uncle Sam cosplay outfit appeared very bizarre to ordinary people.
"Cross-dresser" is not a good descriptor.
People who are labeled as such on campus are at risk of being isolated at any time.
Although Sheldon didn't care much about others' opinions, the frequent and scrutinizing gazes of his classmates still made him very uncomfortable.
Similarly, as the older brother, Georgie felt a lot of pressure having a "strange" brother at school.
So, Sheldon being able to take off the cosplay suit was indeed good news.
"How about it, this birthday gift is pretty good, right!" Perhaps to liven up the atmosphere, after finishing the good news, Georgie laughed by himself.
"That's enough, Georgie." Mary looked at her youngest son's tense face and spoke up to stop her eldest son's forced antics.
It turns out that even between biological brothers, the sense of humor might not be on the same wavelength.
What Georgie thought was good news was very likely rubbing salt into Sheldon's wound.
After all, for Sheldon, the previous experience was not pleasant.
Then, everyone's gaze shifted to the face of today's little birthday boy.
"Georgie is right, this is indeed good news." The transformation in the expression on Sheldon's face was not obvious, but his tone was much lighter.
With his statement, the birthday atmosphere became relaxed once again.
...
"What's wrong, something on your mind?"
Mike, who was sitting next to Paige eating cake, noticed the envious look the young girl cast toward Sheldon's side.
"No," Paige shook her head sensibly.
"Don't worry, in a few days when it's your birthday, I guarantee you will have your own cake too." Mike seemed to see right through the young girl's thoughts.
Paige's birthday was in March, right on the heels of Sheldon's.
For children, it is inevitable to have expectations for their own birthday; it wasn't hard to guess.
Moreover, for Paige, she had essentially gained a new life over the past year.
Therefore, the upcoming birthday held special meaning for her.
"Thank you."
Realizing that someone cared about her, Paige showed a sweet smile and accepted Mike's kindness.