Chapter 28: Choice and the Uninvited Guest
Kurt was stunned by the question, slightly annoyed. "What's it to you?...But yeah, I heard Penny's single now, and I think maybe we can give it another shot."
Sheldon heard this, turned to glance at Leonard, then said to Kurt in a serious tone, "Given that you have clearly expressed this intention, and Leonard is my friend, based on the principle of friend alliance priority, I can no longer provide you with TV troubleshooting services. Have a pleasant evening." With that, he turned gracefully, leaving a bewildered Kurt and a face-palming Leonard.
Midway through the party, another uninvited guest appeared—Penny's recent ex-boyfriend, Doug, the fitness instructor. He seemed to have been drinking heavily, stumbling as he walked.
Leonard watched the successive appearances of the two "exes" and finally couldn't help but hold his forehead and complain, "Oh my God... Did tonight's Halloween party have a hidden theme—'Penny's Ex-Boyfriend Reunion'?"
Doug found Penny, his voice tearful. "Penny, baby, I was wrong! I completely broke things off with that client! Because I realized you're the only one in my heart!"
Howard, overhearing from the side, his eyes lit up. He leaned over and whispered, "Doug, buddy, that client... where is she now? I mean, she just went through an... emotional breakup, she must be really vulnerable and needs a friend's comfort..."
Raj, overhearing, complained to Howard in an incredulous tone, "Howard! I can't believe you! You're going to ditch me at a Halloween party for a woman you've never even met?"
Howard immediately corrected him, "I'm not ditching you, Raj! I'm ditching everyone! Can you please stop making everything sound so... inappropriate? Alright, alright," he raised his hands, "I'm not going anywhere, okay?" He then changed the subject, picked up two beers, and handed one to Raj. "But you gotta stop looking so pathetic right now. Look, there are tons of cute girls here. Drink some 'liquid courage' and go talk to someone! I think I saw a girl over there checking you out!"
Raj's attention was immediately diverted. He took the beer, hesitated as he glanced in the direction Howard pointed, then, as if making a decision, chugged the beer in one go, wiped his mouth, and walked toward that direction with his head held high, Mjolnir swaying in his hand.
Doug continued pestering Penny, trying to grab her hand. "Penny, give me another chance, I promise I won't mess up again! We used to be so good..."
Penny violently shook off his hand, her face full of disgust and resolve. "Good? Doug, you call sleeping with a client behind my back 'good'? Is your protein-powder-filled brain, besides muscle fibers, only capable of such disgusting self-delusion?! We are completely done! It was over the moment I found out you lied and cheated! Now, please leave and don't bother me or my friends!"
"No, Penny, listen to me..." Doug still tried approaching.
Just then, Kurt walked over, his muscular frame like a wall between Penny and Doug, his tone full of menace. "Hey, trainer boy, she told you to leave. Have some class, get lost, don't make me throw you out."
Penny took advantage of Kurt blocking Doug to quickly escape his harassment and blend into the crowded apartment.
Doug and Kurt immediately became hostile, pushing and shoving each other, on the verge of fighting. Howard, who loved drama, fanned the flames from the sidelines. "Hey! Gentlemen! Be civilized! Why resort to violence? How about a man's duel? Whoever wins gets the right to pursue Penny, loser automatically withdraws and disappears forever! Fair competition!"
Kurt thought it was a great idea. He looked at Doug disdainfully, then pointed at Leonard, who was watching nervously. "I'm in! But this guy has to compete too!" He pointed at Leonard. "Since he also likes Penny, there's no reason for him to hide in the back!"
Leonard quickly backed away, waving his hands. "No! This is ridiculous! I will never participate in such a childish and stupid competition!"
In the end, only Kurt and Doug agreed to compete. They chose arm wrestling, and the result was predictable: Kurt, with his bigger muscles and absolute strength advantage, easily crushed Doug.
Kurt stood up triumphantly, like a victorious gladiator, and announced to the defeated Doug and Leonard, who in his eyes was too scared to compete, "Alright, game over! You two losers can get out of Penny's life! She's mine!"
However, no sooner had he finished than Penny's cold voice rang out, clearly having understood what just happened. "Kurt! Doug! You two egotistical morons! Who gave you the right to treat me like a trophy?! Especially you, Kurt—I can't believe I even invited you!"
She walked angrily in front of them, pointing to the door. "Now, immediately, get out of my party! Get out!"
Kurt and Doug were both dumbfounded, trying to argue, but under Penny's resolute attitude and the scornful gazes of those around them, they could only slink toward the door. As they passed a bewildered Leonard, Penny suddenly did something that stunned everyone—she stepped forward, pulled Leonard close, and quickly kissed him on the cheek!
Then, she raised her chin and proudly said to the shocked Kurt and Doug, "See? The 'prize' you're fighting over makes her own choices! Now, get out, immediately!"
Kurt and Doug left the party with expressions of disbelief and extreme frustration. The drama finally ended, and after a strange silence, the party atmosphere slowly revived.
After the party, friends gradually left. Leonard helped clean up the messy apartment, his mood complicated. The kiss had come so quickly and suddenly, leaving him somewhat dazed. He mustered his courage and walked over to Penny, who was wiping the table.
"Penny, uh... tonight, thank you... for helping me out, I mean, that... kiss..."
Penny looked up, her face showing fatigue and a hint of apology. She put down the rag and said seriously, "Leonard, listen, about that kiss... I hope you don't misunderstand. It was mainly to piss off those two idiots, Kurt and Doug, and to tell them I'm not their property. Beyond that purpose, it doesn't mean anything else right now. You understand?"
Leonard's surge of hope and warmth instantly cooled with these words. He let out a disappointed "Oh," remained silent for a few seconds, but still couldn't help asking with a hint of hope, "Then... tomorrow night, are you free? Maybe we could grab dinner?"
Penny shook her head, her tone gentle but firm. "Leonard, thank you for the invitation. But... I think I'd rather not. I need a little time and space to think, okay?"
Leonard's heart sank, and he forced a smile. "Of course. I... I understand." He didn't know what else to say, and awkward silence once again filled the space between them.
Just then, the apartment door was pushed open, and David, who'd gone upstairs and returned, poked his head in.
"Hey, Leonard," David's expression was somewhat helpless, "Can I crash on your couch tonight?"
Leonard needed to break the awkwardness and quickly said, "Of course, David! You don't need to ask about something like that."
"I've already put the pillow and blanket on your living room couch. Sheldon insisted I come down and get your 'fifty percent occupancy permission.' He emphasized that for temporary stays by non-leaseholders, he only has half the authority, and you must also explicitly agree."
Penny asked curiously, "David, why aren't you sleeping in your own apartment?"
David showed a wry smile. "Well... because my apartment is currently 'occupied.'"
Seeing Leonard and Penny's puzzled looks, he explained, "I went up just now and found Raj and a girl named Lisa—I think she's a friend of yours, Penny?—they were both on my couch... uh... engaging in some very enthusiastic 'cultural exchange' that goes beyond ordinary friendship. It seems Raj's 'Mjolnir' tonight really did, as Howard predicted, unlock a lady's heart. The scene was pretty heated, and I felt it was inappropriate to interrupt, so I came down with my bedding."
Penny and Leonard, after hearing this, simultaneously widened their eyes and opened their mouths, looking utterly shocked.
"Oh my God! Raj?! And Lisa?!" Penny exclaimed. "I thought Lisa went home ages ago! When did they... How did I not notice at all?"
"Actually, I should've expected this," David further explained, "because earlier, halfway through the party, Raj came to me to borrow my apartment key. At the time, he said he urgently needed a 'private space'..."
Leonard murmured, "This... this is truly... unexpected... Raj, he... is he really that smooth after drinking?"
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