Chapter 95: Everything's Fine. Just Don't Mention It Next Time.
"Dinner's ready. What were you two talking about?"
Monica brought the last dish over and asked with a smile, "Who is Diane Adler?"
"My mother's distant cousin, a brilliant mathematician,"
Paige explained with a smile.
"Another genius mathematician?"
Monica was amazed. "Is IQ really that hereditary?"
"Partially inherited,"
Chuck said. "It can improve or deteriorate. There are no guarantees. The probability of inheriting genius genes is far less than the probability of inheriting mental illness."
"That's true,"
Paige said meaningfully. "And if someone is both a genius and mentally ill, the probability of passing it on to the next generation is very high."
"...Don't joke about things like that,"
Monica gave Paige a warning look.
Paige shrugged. "Ask Chuck if you don't believe me."
"It's accurate."
Chuck nodded slightly, meeting Monica's gaze.
"How could that be..."
Monica was momentarily stunned.
She trusted that Chuck wouldn't lie to her. Since Chuck confirmed it, then it must be true.
Is Chuck a genius?
Absolutely!
Does Chuck have mental health issues?
Yes!
Then what about his future children...
Chuck remained calm.
If this were the real world, all this would be oversimplified; genetic inheritance is far more complex. But this is the world of American sitcoms, so it follows the basic laws of TV drama genetics.
He could easily cite examples from his own experience.
Beverly and Leonard, mother and son.
Reid and his mother.
Beverly is basically the female version of Sheldon; even if she claimed she didn't have any disorders, nobody would believe her. And while Leonard might seem relatively normal, how could someone grow up mentally healthy in such an emotionally abusive environment, then willingly endure a roommate like Sheldon for years? Is that something a psychologically healthy person would do?
Reid's mother, an English literature professor, has serious schizophrenia. Reid has always worried he might develop it too, and there are warning signs—autism spectrum tendencies and occasional hallucinations.
And Chuck's own family—with three siblings, none of them seem completely neurotypical.
There are countless more examples like this.
Monica was completely speechless.
"Monica, don't worry,"
Paige said with a reassuring smile.
"Why not?"
Monica blurted out.
Paige smiled mischievously: "Because after you've finished being my guardian, I don't think you'll want to have another child to raise."
"..."
Monica was at a loss for words.
This actually made perfect sense!
She used to think she loved kids, but after becoming Paige's guardian, that feeling had gradually disappeared without her realizing it.
And it had only been such a short time!
She could imagine that after taking care of Paige much longer, she'd probably embrace the DINK lifestyle completely.
No worries if you don't have children!
Then she couldn't help but glance at Chuck, suddenly recalling their first time together from a new perspective.
Most guys just want to have fun, but it was unusual for a man to pay such careful attention to protection and take the initiative like Chuck had.
She used to think this was related to his germaphobia, but now it seemed like maybe Chuck didn't want children at all?
Monica was lost in countless racing thoughts and feeling increasingly unsettled. When she snapped back to attention, she saw Paige and Chuck continuing their conversation as if nothing had happened. She listened for a while but only heard mathematical problems she couldn't understand. She tried to be patient but finally couldn't help interrupting: "So what happened to Diane Adler?"
"She committed suicide,"
Paige said matter-of-factly to Monica. "You know, genius with mental illness."
"..."
Monica's jaw dropped, completely speechless.
If the previous mention of mentally ill geniuses having a high likelihood of passing on their conditions had only shocked her, but hadn't really seemed like a major concern—she'd even joked internally about "no worries, just won't have kids"—then Paige's casual mention of Diane Adler's suicide hit her like a thunderbolt.
Only now did she truly understand what "mentally ill genius" really meant.
"You'll get used to it,"
Paige said to the stunned Monica.
"You..."
Monica suddenly remembered that Diane Adler was Paige's relative, and judging by Paige's tone...
"What's so surprising about that?"
Paige smiled eerily. "Welcome to our world."
"I'm sorry."
Monica looked from Paige to the composed Chuck, suddenly feeling a wave of fear. Panicking, she mumbled an apology and got up to go to the bathroom.
"Don't scare her."
Chuck frowned at Paige.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Paige asked with a smile. "And why didn't you stop me from saying all this?"
Chuck remained silent.
"Monica will find out all this eventually."
Paige looked at Chuck and smiled. "You're not the type of guy who wants to deceive a woman, are you? You didn't speak up just now because you wanted Monica to know this too. Monica is really starting to think about future children now, and her feelings for you are developing too quickly. Isn't that making you uncomfortable?"
Chuck studied Paige for a moment before saying, "You are definitely Adler family."
"Thank you."
Paige knew Chuck was calling her both a genius and mentally unstable, but she didn't take offense. Instead, she happily accepted the assessment.
"You're right."
Chuck looked away, picked up his knife and fork, and began eating the pot roast and mashed potatoes that Monica had specially prepared for the Texas-born Chuck. "Just don't bring it up next time."
"I know, I know. It's just basic social courtesy."
Paige nodded, picked up her own utensils, and started eating. After a few bites, she suddenly thought of something and looked up at Chuck. "You keep mentioning the Adler bloodline. Besides me, do you know any other Adlers?"
Chuck didn't answer, but gave her a knowing look.
"No way..."
Paige was stunned, staring at Chuck in disbelief. This was completely unexpected.
"You're pulling my leg, aren't you?"
But she quickly recovered and smiled again.
She had just confirmed her Adler heritage, and now Chuck, whom she'd been so interested in, was also claiming to be an Adler—a distant relative of her distant relative?
How could such a coincidence be possible?
Her sharp little mind immediately guessed that Chuck was teasing her. Although Chuck usually maintained a poker face, he wasn't without a dry sense of humor.
Chuck ignored her and just calmly enjoyed his meal.
Monica had been a professional chef, after all, so food prepared with care was always excellent.
Paige, however, was going crazy.
Although she suspected Chuck was probably teasing her, she couldn't get any confirmation or denial from Chuck's expression or behavior, and this uncertainty was driving her absolutely insane.
(End of chapter)
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