Meanwhile, Sheldon carefully opened the sandwich lunch Mary had prepared for him.
Enjoying good food was one of the few things that kept Sheldon in a good mood.
However, this time, after he took a small bite of the sandwich, the expression on his face froze.
"What's wrong, Sheldon?" Tam, who was eating curry rice across from him, noticed his companion's unusual behavior.
"This bread isn't right..." Sheldon frowned, staring at the sandwich in his hand, lost in thought.
"What's wrong with the bread? Is it spoiled?" Tam asked with concern.
"No," Sheldon shook his head, carefully tasting it again, and said, "The food company changed the recipe; it's too sweet."
"Is that so...?" Knowing that there was no quality issue with the bread, Tam shook his head and returned to his previous expression.
But seeing Sheldon still staring at the bread with a conflicted look, he spoke again, "If you don't want to eat the sandwich, I can trade my lunch with you."
Due to exclusion, life in Texas was not easy for Tam's family, who were of Asian descent.
Their tight financial situation made ordinary food like sandwiches a 'luxury' for Tam.
At this moment, the sandwich in Sheldon's hand, filled with meat patties and various fresh vegetables, made Tam show a hint of longing.
"Thanks, but I don't want to eat curry rice." Sheldon shook his head, looking at the sticky yellow rice in front of Tam; not everyone could accept the taste of curry.
Afterward, Sheldon put his sandwich back into the lunchbox, stood up, and said his goodbyes, "You enjoy your lunch. I'm going back to the classroom first."
Watching his little friend's departing back, Tam, who was sensitive and a bit insecure, silently opened his mouth but ultimately felt too embarrassed to ask him to stay.
...
When afternoon arrived, students from all grades at the school, organized by their homeroom teachers, conducted a major cleanup for the start of the semester.
Because Medford had school staff, the students' tasks were not heavy; they only needed to clean their classrooms, wipe windows, and sweep the floor.
Therefore, on the first afternoon of the new semester, students also had an early dismissal.
Mike, who had completed his cleaning tasks, also walked out of the school with Paige and Cady.
"Excuse me, student, do you know Mike, who wrote songs for The Plastics?"
Several commercial vehicles were parked at the school gate, and a group of reporters wearing work badges held microphones, interviewing passing students.
Although Medford was a public high school, it generally did not allow outsiders into the campus except for winter and summer holidays and weekends.
This was also for the safety of the students.
"Those reporters are so fast!" Lina looked at the situation at the school gate and said worriedly, "Mike, why don't you avoid them for a bit? Those reporters don't look like good people. Or should I gather the fan club members to escort you out?"
"Forget it, no need for trouble." Seeing that some students were already looking this way and pointing him out to the reporters, Mike had no intention of hiding.
Then, under the gaze of many students, Mike generously walked to the school gate.
"Hello, I'm a reporter from 'Charm Magazine.' Are you Mike, who composed the song 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'?" A female reporter with decent looks quickly came forward and offered the microphone to Mike.
"That's me." Mike nodded.
"That's great! May I ask you a few questions?" After confirming that the super handsome boy in front of her was Mike, the female reporter was clearly more excited.
"Mike, was that Christmas song your original creation?"
"Mike, what is your relationship with the three girls of The Plastics?"
...
Before Mike could answer the female reporter's question, other reporters nearby also caught wind and gathered around.
A variety of questions quickly plunged the scene into a small chaos.
Seeing the microphones almost poking his face in the crowd, Mike spoke, "Please don't rush. If you're willing, we can go to the side for a slower interview..."
It was the time when students were leaving campus en masse, and the commotion at the entrance also blocked a large group of students heading home.
Mike, after asking for the reporters' opinions, led them to the lawn by the roadside.
Soon, a large group of curious students gathered again by the lawn.
"Mike, was that song your independent creation?"
"What is your relationship with The Plastics?"
"Do you have a girlfriend...?"
"Which girl in The Plastics do you think has the best figure...?"
As the interview progressed, after Mike truthfully answered some questions, the reporters' questions became increasingly intrusive.
Realizing that this would only be endless, Mike answered one more relatively less intrusive question, then politely declined, "I've told you everything I know. Please don't disturb me anymore."
"Don't be like that, Mike. Can you tell us what your hobbies are?" The only female reporter present used her gender advantage to push forward, trying to get closer.
Looking at her 'devouring' expression, if she could, she would definitely want to know the color of Mike's underwear.
Unfortunately, Mike was not an ordinary young boy; with his rich experience, he was not interested in this female reporter who was barely attractive.
"Alright, please move aside, I need to go home." Mike no longer paid attention to the female reporter's question and instead pushed past the surrounding students, walking away.
Georgie also noticed Mike's impatience and voluntarily stayed behind, holding back the reporters who wanted to follow.
...
Half an hour later, Mike, having shaken off the reporters, arrived at the Cooper family home, escorted by Cady and Lina.
"Do you want to come in and rest for a while?" Mike asked.
"No, we should go home too."
Cady and Lina exchanged glances, then simultaneously bid farewell to Mike, stating that if Mike needed anything, he could call them anytime.
Judging by the reporters' demeanor, they clearly wouldn't easily give up on Mike as a hot topic.
Moreover, as The Plastics' popularity continued to grow, even more reporters would likely arrive in Medford Town in the coming days.
After seeing off Cady and Lina, Mike took Paige into the Cooper family home.
Inside the house, Sheldon was discussing the bread with Mary.
Yes, while Mike was still at the school gate, Sheldon had already returned home.
"I'm certain the food company changed the recipe; its taste has changed a lot..." Sheldon said seriously, holding the leftover sandwich from lunch.
"Is that so?" Mary took the sandwich, tore off a small piece of bread, and tasted it: "There's nothing wrong with it; it tastes quite good."
"No, I'm sure this isn't the taste I want." Sometimes Sheldon was a nostalgic person; he hated change.
Even the taste of bread was no exception—
And with his eidetic memory, he remembered familiar tastes vividly.
"Hi, Mike, Paige, you're back. Dinner will be a while, you can watch TV first." Mary greeted the two who had just entered.
Then, her gaze returned to her stubborn little son: "Alright, Shelly, I'm also sure the bread is fine. If you insist, I can get you the recipe..."
Mary was very concerned about her little son's emotions.
And she knew that if the bread problem wasn't resolved, Sheldon's lunch would likely become another problem in the future.
"Heaven knows why a bag of bread increased by one dollar..." Mary, also a bit irritated, unconsciously complained while rummaging through the newly bought bagged bread in the kitchen.
For housewives, the prices of daily consumables often made them more sensitive.
"Oh, found it, it has the recipe on it..." Mary handed the entire bag of bread she found to her little son.