Inside the car, the front and back rows seemed to become two different worlds; George and his son in the front chatted about everyday topics like eating, drinking, and using the restroom, keeping things down-to-earth.
Meanwhile, Mike and Sheldon in the back were discussing obscure scientific facts.
Of course, Sheldon, having only learned a small portion of advanced knowledge from educational channels, mostly played the role of a listener.
Gradually, Sheldon also had to admit that he couldn't match Mike in terms of breadth of knowledge, which made him feel a bit frustrated.
A long time passed, and just as Mike didn't want to talk anymore, he felt tiny drops of moisture on his face.
"It's really raining!" Mike extended his hand out the window, and after feeling the slight coolness, an excited expression appeared on his face.
Of course, Mike wasn't happy because it was raining, but because his [Weather Prediction] ability actually worked.
A man's happiness can sometimes be that simple.
George in the front also saw the small dark clouds gathering in the sky; after closing the car window, he said, "This is just a light shower, it'll pass soon. Besides, we're almost in Houston."
Sheldon nodded in agreement.
Although he had witnessed Mike's vast knowledge, Sheldon still held a disdainful attitude towards the other's foolish act of bringing a raincoat.
About half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a small motel.
Looking at the continuous downpour outside the car window, George sighed with relief and said, "Good thing I booked the motel in advance last night."
In the back, Sheldon stared blankly outside at the heavy rain, where visibility was less than twenty meters, and murmured, "But the weather forecast said there wouldn't be any rain today..."
At this moment, Mike, being the only one prepared, unfolded the thick blue raincoat in his hand under the envious gazes of the others.
"Staying in the car isn't a solution; let's go rest at the motel first." After Mike got out of the car with the raincoat over him, he called out to the others inside.
Then, the Cooper family father and two sons, one after another, ducked under the raincoat.
The four of them together, like holding an umbrella, ran towards the small motel with the raincoat over them.
Upon arriving at the small motel, Sheldon looked at the small mud splatters on his pants and unhappily said, "I hate rain—"
Because he was short and had short legs, Sheldon was the one with the most mud splatters on him. Everyone else only had slightly wet ankles, which wasn't a big problem.
George helped his youngest son wipe off the mud splatters and said, "Alright, let's go to the room first. And, I think traveling in the rain is also a good life experience."
He, with his gentle nature, was always so optimistic.
The room George booked this time was a triple standard room, and besides the resting area, there was also an old television.
It seemed the accommodation conditions this time weren't bad.
Since it was already lunchtime, George, who didn't have a chance to go out and enjoy a meal, ordered room service from the motel.
After a simple lunch, George turned on the TV, and everyone gathered around to watch.
Soon after, Sheldon, who had something on his mind, went to the window sill and stared blankly at the heavy rain outside.
"Don't worry, this rain won't last long. It won't affect tomorrow's science fair." George noticed his youngest son's low spirits and walked over to comfort him.
"I hope so!" Sheldon shook his head, still a bit frustrated.
...
On the other side, in the basement, Cady, Damian, and Janis worked together, using basins, cups, small bowls, and other tools to catch the raindrops leaking from the ceiling.
Afterward, the three of them squatted in a dry area, listening to the symphony of the wind and rain outside and the dripping water inside the room, as if listening to music.
Suddenly, in the dim corner, Damian asked, "Cady, how far have you gone with Mike?"
Initially, the plan the three of them had wasn't just to deal with Regina, but also to set up Cady and Mike.
"Hmm, still the same, I guess." Cady answered somewhat distractedly.
Ever since Cady missed the opportunity when Mike came to her house last time, she felt herself drifting further and further away from him.
Of course, this was just her personal feeling.
Moreover, Cady still firmly believed that as long as she defeated Regina, she would definitely be able to get together with Mike.
"How about we help you bring Mike to the basement so you can get things done—" Janis boldly suggested.
Cady thought seriously for a moment, then, with her cheeks flushing, she refused, "No, no need. That wouldn't be good..."
Seeing Cady's embarrassment, Janis burst out laughing.
Only then did Cady realize that Janis was joking.
...
Under the school building, Aaron leaned against the wall all alone, staring blankly at the continuous heavy rain outside.
The water droplets on his face, he didn't know if they were sweat or rainwater.
...
As evening approached, the heavy rain outside showed no signs of stopping; instead, it seemed to be getting heavier.
At the small motel, after Mike and the three others had another simple dinner, it was time to rest.
"Get some rest early, Shelly." Georgie looked at his youngest son, who had once again gone to the window, and reminded him with concern.
It was clear that Sheldon was very much looking forward to tomorrow's science fair, but the incessant heavy rain made him very worried.
"Dad, will this heavy rain really stop tomorrow?" Sheldon asked, looking up.
"Yes, it will definitely stop..." George smiled gently.
At this moment, the father and son had a telepathic hug.
It was the middle of the night, and Sheldon, who was sharing a blanket with Georgie, was awakened by his farts, teeth grinding, and snoring.
Outside the window, amidst the continuous heavy rain, lightning occasionally flashed.
Startled, Sheldon surveyed the room and finally crawled into George's blanket.
Awakened, George groggily looked at his youngest son and patiently asked, "What's wrong, Sheldon?"
"Nothing—" Sheldon gently shook his head.
"Then go to sleep quickly; we still have to go to the science fair tomorrow..." George covered Sheldon with the blanket, gave a couple of reminders, and then fell asleep himself.
And Sheldon, staying with his dad, no longer felt scared listening to the thunder and rain outside. Soon after, he also drifted off to sleep.
However, the next morning, the heavy rain outside still hadn't stopped.
George looked out the window and said, "Shelly, it looks like the science fair won't be held today."
In this kind of weather, let alone a science fair, there were hardly any people on the streets.
"It's okay, we can just come next time." Sheldon said indifferently.
After a night's rest, Sheldon seemed to be in a much better mood, no longer as frustrated as yesterday.
"Alright then, the roads are bad in this weather, so we need to head back early." George planned the day's itinerary. Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, "Oh, right, before we go back, there's one more place we need to go."
Afterward, the group went to a large shopping mall, where George let Sheldon pick out a toy train he liked.
Mike also took the opportunity to find the pink Barbie June, which was the gift he had promised Missy.
When paying, George insisted on paying for the Barbie as well. With his recent salary increase, he seemed to speak with much more confidence.