New Jersey.
The Hofstadter Residence.
"Adam, let me introduce you—this is my dad, Dr. Alfred Hofstadter, and my mom, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter!"
"Mom, Dad, this is Adam, my best friend!"
Leonard introduced everyone with excitement.
"Hello, Dr. Alfred Hofstadter!"
"Hello, Adam."
Leonard's father warmly embraced Adam, patting him on the back with a smile. "You can just call me Alfred."
"Okay, Alfred."
Adam naturally followed his lead.
"Hello, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter."
Adam looked at Leonard's mother. He originally intended to extend his hand, but remembering her personality, he hesitated and withdrew it, simply nodding with a smile.
"It seems Leonard has already told you about me."
Beverly glanced at Adam's withdrawn hand, a scrutinizing and knowing look flashing in her eyes. She spoke in a serious, detached tone.
"Even if Leonard hadn't, everyone knows about you."
Leonard's father muttered under his breath.
"That's only natural," Beverly said expressionlessly, casting a glance at her husband. "I am a renowned neuroscientist, a psychiatrist, and a world-class expert in parenting and child development. My published works are bestsellers worldwide and are required reading in neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, and child education. You don't need to emphasize what is already widely known."
Ignoring her husband's defeated look, she adjusted her glasses, looked at Adam, and said matter-of-factly, "If you want to shake hands, I can accommodate that. Although I do not enjoy it, I understand it is a social custom."
"That won't be necessary."
Under Leonard's apologetic gaze, Adam twitched the corner of his mouth and politely declined with a smile.
"What would you like to drink? Tea, coffee, or soda?" Leonard offered as he led Adam to a seat.
"Tea is fine."
Adam smiled.
"So, Adam, you and Leonard are best friends?" Beverly sat on the opposite sofa, studying Adam.
"Yes."
Adam started to regret coming over.
Beverly's gaze was far too piercing—staring at him as if he were a test subject. It was even more unsettling than Sheldon and Paige combined.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, he still found it hard to bear.
"Why?"
Beverly's expression remained neutral.
"What?"
Adam was momentarily stunned.
"You are a university student, while Leonard is still in high school. There's a significant age gap between you."
Beverly continued matter-of-factly, "Research shows that younger children tend to want to play with older children, while older children are generally unwilling to play with younger ones. If Leonard had sought you out, I would understand. However, I heard that you were the one who approached Leonard first."
She adjusted her glasses and stared directly at Adam. "Why?"
"I am studying psychology."
Suppressing his urge to comment, Adam smiled. "I read your book *The Hopeless Case* and was very interested in how you described Leonard, so I sought him out."
"Very interested?" Beverly's eyes lit up. "Academically, or in an unspeakable way?"
"..."
Fortunately, Leonard hadn't brought the tea yet; otherwise, Adam would have surely spat it out.
"Beverly!" Leonard's father, too, was exasperated by her bluntness.
"What?"
Beverly gave him an indifferent glance, then turned her scrutinizing gaze back to Adam. "You can't say? That means it's the unspeakable kind..."
"Academically!"
Adam quickly interrupted.
His head was starting to ache. If he let her continue, he feared his brain might explode.
"Oh, I see."
Beverly shook her head with a slight smile.
Her tone, however, made it clear that she didn't believe him.
"It really is for academic reasons."
Adam reiterated, but seeing Beverly's unchanged expression, he realized he couldn't continue following her lead. Otherwise, she might actually push him into a breakdown.
After all, this was her specialty—breaking people down so she could study them more effectively.
In the original timeline, Beverly met Penny for the first time and, within just a few sentences, had Penny emotionally unraveling. She even deduced that if someone wanted to sleep with Penny, they only needed to find out what brand of cologne her father used and wear the same one.
Poor Leonard, ever the fool, went to comfort the emotionally vulnerable Penny that night. Whether he used that specific cologne was unknown, but they did almost end up together.
The reason it was only "almost" was that Leonard, in his arrogance, decided to "apply what he learned" and smugly told Penny about his mother's conclusion—that she had an unresolved father complex.
Penny warned him to do more and talk less, but he didn't listen and went on to make even more outrageous statements.
The result? Everything fell apart, and Penny kicked him out of the room in embarrassment and anger.
Before Beverly could shake her head and smile again with that knowing look, Adam swiftly changed the subject.
"Dr. Hofstadter, as a psychiatrist and an expert in child development, you must be aware that treating Leonard so harshly could lead to serious psychological issues?"
"That's an interesting topic."
Beverly adjusted her glasses again and nodded. "I don't consider my treatment harsh. His brother and sister were raised the same way, and they are now the top students at Harvard."
"Leonard is also very accomplished," Adam pointed out. "But academic success and mental health are two separate issues. You haven't answered my question."
"If he develops psychological issues, it simply means he is not yet excellent enough."
Beverly remained expressionless. "Truly exceptional individuals have control over their own minds. If you devote yourself entirely to innovation and research, your mind will be strong enough that psychological issues cannot affect you."
"That sounds a bit idealistic, doesn't it?" Adam's lips twitched.
"Not at all."
Beverly pointed to her head and spoke seriously. "All truths are hidden in here. Otherwise, why would I study neuroscience? Once we fully understand the scientific principles of the nervous system, we will be able to repair any dysfunction. At that point, psychological issues will cease to exist."
"Heh, that makes sense."
Adam let out a dry chuckle. "But that won't be achievable anytime soon, will it?"
Even if Leonard lived long enough to see that era, he would have already spent a lifetime suffering from psychological problems. What good would it do to fix them then?
"That's why scientists like us must continue working toward that future."
Beverly looked at Adam. "Leonard has been contributing to science since the day he was born. What about you, Adam? Are you willing to contribute to science?"
(End of Chapter)