The Cooper family seemed to have severe poisoning reactions, but after arriving at the hospital and being examined by the emergency room doctor, it was determined that they only had mild food poisoning.
This was good news; at least they wouldn't have to endure the pain of stomach pumping and enemas.
After a moment of relief, Connie looked at Mike, who was standing at the very back, and said, "Mike, you also come over and let the doctor take a look."
Earlier, due to the urgency of the situation and Mike's perfectly normal demeanor, the Cooper family had almost overlooked the fact that he had also eaten the poisoned eggs.
In truth, Mike's body had already recovered through self-regulation during this period.
However, seeing everyone's concerned expressions, he still obediently sat down in front of the doctor.
After the emergency room doctor examined Mike's tongue coating and pupillary response, he asked in confusion, "Are you sure he also ate something toxic?"
"Yes, Mike was the first one to discover that the food was problematic," Connie explained.
The others also spoke up, confirming Connie's statement.
"This isn't right," the emergency doctor frowned. "Based on my many years of experience, he doesn't show any symptoms of poisoning. On the contrary, he looks healthier than many people."
After thinking for a moment, the doctor said cryptically, "If you're still worried, I can collect some of his blood and bodily fluids for further testing."
"Thank you, but no need," Mike shook his head, refusing.
Seeing Mike's insistence, the others didn't press him further.
Next, the emergency room doctor had the Cooper family drink some saline solution and prescribed them some antibiotics.
As the saying goes: illness comes like a landslide, but leaves like unraveling silk.
Although the Cooper family felt a bit better after taking the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, they spent the rest of the weekend lying in bed.
The next morning, Connie had fully recovered.
To thank Mike for his help yesterday, she specially prepared a lavish breakfast.
"Mike, drink the milk in front of you; it's good for your health," Connie reminded him with a smile.
Surprisingly, Connie wasn't drinking alcohol today; she was holding a large glass of milk herself.
The large amount of protein in milk can hinder the body's absorption of toxic substances, achieving a mild detoxification effect.
"OK—" Mike swallowed the pancake in his mouth, picked up the milk, and drank it all.
Seeing that it was almost time, he bid farewell to Connie and headed out to the Cooper house.
Because Connie found it troublesome, Mike had been hitching a ride to school with Georgie every morning during this period.
Arriving at the Cooper house, their entire family had also recovered from yesterday's food poisoning.
Mary was in the kitchen, busy preparing Sheldon's lunch to take to school. Seeing Mike arrive, she took a moment to ask, "Mike, have you had breakfast? Do you want some fried sausages?"
In the past, when Mike was in a hurry, he would sometimes grab breakfast at the Cooper house.
"No, I've already eaten," Mike replied and sat down on the sofa, making himself at home.
At the dining table, George had already finished his breakfast and was constantly checking the time and urging the three children to eat.
Georgie was rummaging through the table for salad dressing; he found Mary's breakfast too bland.
And Missy was secretly picking out bell peppers from the plate in front of her; she didn't like the taste of bell peppers.
As for Sheldon, he was the least troublesome at the moment. He knew that class was about to start, so he was quickly finishing the fried sausages in front of him.
This chaotic scene was pretty much the Cooper family's daily morning routine.
Suddenly, Sheldon, who was eating breakfast, clutched his neck and stood up with a terrified expression.
"Shelly, what's wrong?" George saw Sheldon stand up, initially not paying much attention.
It wasn't until Sheldon started gasping for air, his face turning red, that George realized he was choking on a sausage.
Immediately, George frantically lifted Sheldon upside down and repeatedly patted his back.
However, this rough rescue attempt had no effect. Instead, Sheldon's face became even worse due to blood rushing to his head.
"Georgie, try the Heimlich maneuver!" Mike noticed the situation and, seeing Sheldon's discomfort, quickly suggested the correct first-aid method.
George understood, put Sheldon down, wrapped his arms around his abdomen, and then gently thrust into his back.
Perhaps Sheldon was too nervous, but after several thrusts, he still couldn't dislodge the small sausage.
"Georgie, come help!" The situation was critical, so Mike quickly called out to Georgie, whose hands were covered in ketchup.
Because the incident happened so suddenly, Georgie and Missy hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation; they just thought Sheldon was "acting up" again.
Hearing Mike's call, Georgie finally saw Sheldon's face turning purple. He quickly ran over and asked nervously, "What should I do?"
As the older brother, although Georgie usually seemed to dislike Sheldon, deep down, he cared deeply for his intelligent younger brother.
"Help steady Sheldon's head," Mike instructed.
Georgie felt that Mike's suggestion was a bit odd, but he also knew he wasn't as smart as him.
Moreover, now was not the time to question.
So, Georgie didn't think any further. After a quick affirmative, he extended his ketchup-covered hands and moved them towards Sheldon's face.
This series of actions seemed long, but in reality, they all happened in an instant.
Sheldon, on the verge of life and death, was still very clear-headed.
His time seemed to stretch, watching Georgie's dirty hands slowly approach. For him, a germaphobe, it was an immense torment.
And as his subjective time stretched, this torment was infinitely magnified.
"No—" Sheldon, struggling, finally cried out in rejection just before Georgie's hands were about to touch him.
With that cry, the small sausage stuck in his throat was successfully expelled.
Georgie instinctively caught the sausage and, seeing Sheldon saved, exclaimed excitedly, "Hey— I saved your life!"
"No, you should go wash your hands," Sheldon broke free from George's father's grip, adjusted his bowtie, and then looked disdainfully at Georgie's ketchup-covered hands.
Those very hands had just made him feel worse than death.
"Hmph— It's just ketchup..." Seeing that the other party wasn't grateful, Georgie dropped the whole small sausage in his hand, then deliberately licked the ketchup on his hand, and said arrogantly, "If Mike hadn't asked, I wouldn't even bother with you."
On the other side, George, seeing that his youngest son was fine, collapsed onto a nearby chair as if exhausted.
And when Mary rushed out at the commotion, she saw a chaotic scene in the dining room.
"What happened here?" Mary asked in surprise.
"Nothing—" George caught his breath, briefly placated his wife, and then sternly stopped the two children's argument.
Then, he checked the time and commanded, "Hurry up and finish your breakfast; we need to leave."
Georgie obediently returned to the dining table and quickly finished his salad mixed with ketchup.
But Sheldon looked at the remaining fried sausages on the table and said in fear, "No, they'll kill me.
Seeing Sheldon being so disobedient, George frowned and said, "Suit yourself, we need to go..."
With that, he motioned to Georgie and Mike and walked out.
[Intelligence attribute +2]
After Mike picked up the ball of light from Sheldon, he reminded him, "Aren't you leaving yet? You'll be late for class."
Indeed, these past two days, Sheldon had experienced great joy, sorrow, and a life-threatening crisis, yet he had contributed a good amount of main intelligence attributes to Mike.
In a way, to get more benefits, Sheldon couldn't be left idle.