Cady, who had no plans to pursue higher education, went to Africa with her parents just two days after the college entrance exam.
Meanwhile, Mike's summer plans changed due to a phone call from Dennis.
The welfare agency in Minnesota, after a year of investigation, decided to release Mike's inheritance rights.
His parents' will stated that Mike could inherit all assets upon reaching adulthood.
However, the definition of "adulthood" in the will was very vague.
The law stipulates that one only reaches adulthood at eighteen, but according to family coming-of-age ceremonies, being over sixteen also counts as an adult.
Therefore, Mike's will had a lot of room for interpretation.
Mike's performance over the past year also showed the Minnesota welfare agency his future potential.
For the purpose of fostering a good relationship, the welfare agency, after much discussion, decided to do Mike a favor and allow him to access his assets early.
Coincidentally, Mike, who was preparing to make waves in the stock market, was very short on initial capital.
So, upon hearing this good news, he immediately decided to go back.
According to Mike, his small estate brought in about $80,000 annually.
After years of accumulation, his family account should have at least a million dollars in liquid assets available.
With this capital injection, as long as he rode the coattails of the booming food and internet industries, he could make a fortune in the stock market.
It could be said that the current economic boom was the easiest time to make money in America.
Traditional industries, the internet industry, and others were all good choices.
If everything went smoothly, Mike was even confident enough to dabble in the future cryptocurrency industry.
Never underestimate the power of capital.
Under these circumstances, Mike's main task this summer was to return home and take over his assets.
Therefore, he had been preparing for this matter for the past two days.
While the red Ferrari sports car was flashy, it wasn't suitable for long-distance driving.
Considering practicality, Mike was asking George to help him inquire if there were any suitable used cars nearby.
For long distances, it was best to choose a pickup truck or an SUV.
"Mike, you have more mail..." Paige entered, holding a stack of envelopes, and placed several acceptance letters in front of Mike.
At this time, Mike was at Connie's, waiting for news from George.
Looking at the letters in front of him, he casually flipped through them and said with interest, "A Columbia University acceptance letter, that's truly surprising..."
It had been some time since the high school graduation exams, and various universities were gradually sending out acceptance letters to their desired students.
Mike had received many university letters before, but most were from persistent local universities in Texas, or some other second and third-tier schools from out of state.
This letter from Columbia University truly surprised him, after all, it was a top-tier prestigious university.
"That's no big deal, Columbia University also sent me an acceptance letter." Seeing Mike's surprised reaction, Paige stated the fact with a hint of pride.
Of course, saying this was likely due to the little girl's competitive spirit.
After all, both of them had already decided not to skip grades to go to university.
Therefore, whether it was a letter from Columbia University or not, it actually had little impact on either of them.
However, Sheldon, who was in the computer room checking aerospace data, heard their conversation in the living room and couldn't sit still.
"A letter from Columbia University? Let me see..."
Sheldon quickly came to the living room, picked up the letter in front of Mike, and began to read it carefully.
That was Columbia, one of the top universities.
"It's actually real..." Sheldon, who had verified the authenticity of the letter, couldn't hold back: "Why didn't I get one?"
He, who had always been strong in academics, came to Connie's to use the computer this time to find aerospace data, preparing to join Dr. Sturgis's research team later.
Unexpectedly, he was subjected to a dimensionality reduction attack by Mike and Paige.
It should be known that Sheldon, who had long since self-taught all high school knowledge, had always looked forward to going to university to absorb new nourishment.
It was just a pity that he hadn't received any university acceptance letters this year.
"No, something must be wrong. I need to go back and check..." Sheldon, deeply struck, immediately realized something was amiss.
Mike and Paige had both received university acceptance letters, and Sheldon, who believed he was no worse than them, didn't think he wouldn't even receive one.
Thinking of this, he hurriedly left Connie's.
"What stimulated him?" Paige, noticing Sheldon's bad expression when he left, asked curiously.
"Who knows? Maybe he just has a stomachache..." Mike shook his head and didn't continue the topic.
Actually, he knew in his heart that Sheldon had probably gone back to check on his own acceptance letters.
A genius mind coupled with an arrogant personality made it difficult for him to accept failure.
Although Mike and Paige, who had received university acceptance letters, had no intention of mocking Sheldon, it still made the latter feel frustrated.
"By the way, when are you planning to leave?" Seeing Mike unwilling to say more about the acceptance letters, Paige immediately changed the subject.
The little girl knew a little about Mike going back to Minnesota.
"I'll leave as soon as I get a suitable car, probably in the next two days. What about you?" Mike responded.
"My parents will pick me up tomorrow, and then our family will probably go on a family trip," Paige said about her family's plans.
As mentioned before, Barry had a small clinic, and their family was not short on money.
And the little girl's boarding school for the past six months would surely make her parents feel for her.
To compensate their little daughter, the Swansons would very likely take Paige out to have a good time this summer.
"I wish you a pleasant summer vacation—" Mike offered his blessings.
The Swansons' family conflict had already been resolved, and it was a good thing for the little girl to spend more time with them and enjoy the warmth of family.
"Thank you, and I wish you a smooth journey." Paige smiled and continued, "We'll see each other next school year."
Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Paige, knowing her mother's personality, still chose to continue high school in Medford next year.
"See you next school year." Mike returned a smile.
The summer and winter holidays in America are not long, only about half a month.
So, the two would meet again soon.
...
At the same time, Sheldon, who had returned to the Cooper family, first checked his family's mailbox at the door.
Finding no letters for himself, he stubbornly went to his room to search.
Hard work pays off. Sheldon, who had searched the entire room, finally found a large stack of university acceptance letters hidden by Mary in the utility cabinet.
"I knew it, I wouldn't be worse than Mike." Sheldon smiled, looking through the various university acceptance letters, and then began to fantasize about his university life.
However, when Mike and Paige arrived at the Cooper family for dinner, the atmosphere was not good.
"What's wrong?" Mike asked, looking at Sheldon's tense little face.
"My university acceptance letters were hidden by Mom. She doesn't want me to go to university..." Sheldon answered dejectedly.
"I'm not against you going to university, it's just too early, you can't even take care of yourself..." Mary comforted her youngest son.
Yes, Mary's reason for hiding Sheldon's letters was simple: she was afraid that her youngest son wouldn't be able to take care of himself without family nearby.
In her heart, Sheldon would always be the child who needed care.
"Mary, your actions this time are a bit excessive. For something like this, you should at least have informed us beforehand." George was dissatisfied with his wife's arbitrary decision.
Actually, he was quite supportive of his youngest son going out to university. After all, as a man of the Cooper family, Sheldon would eventually need to learn to be independent.
"Mom, I can take care of myself..." Sheldon also spoke up at this point, making promises and trying to convince his mother.
"No, you're still too young, you've never left home alone, and you don't know how hard it is to take care of yourself. Besides, Columbia University is too far..." Mary's attitude was firm.
Just thinking about her youngest son going to school so far away made Mary feel very uneasy.
"Perhaps Shelly could first go to the University of Texas, where John is, to adapt to university life." Seeing the Cooper family about to argue, Connie proposed a compromise.