“Don’t treat me like a child. I’m a genius—a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius.” Edward Faulkner, thinking about his future prospects, couldn’t worry about whether he might frighten his parents.

Although every parent hopes their child will stand out, if a family suddenly had a child as astonishing as Edward Faulkner, it would be hard for anyone to handle.

Henry Faulkner could barely manage to keep it together, but Grace Bolton was already at a loss.

As a teacher who educates and nurtures students, Grace Bolton was fairly knowledgeable. She naturally understood what a child of Edward Faulkner’s age should and shouldn’t be able to do. However, given all the “miraculous” things Edward Faulkner had done since birth, Grace Bolton really couldn’t figure out her youngest son.

Now, Edward Faulkner had actually joined in the conversation between her and Henry Faulkner with a serious demeanor, and from the way he looked so calm and confident, as if he was guiding the two of them through their confusion, Grace Bolton’s mind instantly turned to mush. This son of hers truly left her speechless!

Since Edward Faulkner had already spoken up, he had to make himself clear. Otherwise, if he missed this good opportunity, who knew how long it would take for his father to get ahead, and his own happy life would be delayed for many years. After all, even though he could activate his “golden finger” at any time, he didn’t have the ability, especially as a little boy, to fight for his own happiness alone. In this era, in this society, it was really a bit too difficult.

Chapter 7: You Need to Strive Upward

Seeing both his parents staring at him in shock, Edward Faulkner sighed helplessly.

Geniuses are destined to be lonely! This kind of advantage, ahead of the times, would have to be maintained for at least another thirty years. Edward Faulkner suddenly understood what it meant to be a lonely master, what it meant for a soaring dragon to regret, what it meant to fear the cold heights of a jade tower! This world is so damn twisted!

“Dad, I’m telling you, you need to strive upward!” Edward Faulkner said with an air of authority.

Hearing his one-and-a-half-year-old son talk to him like this, Henry Faulkner immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

If his old supervisor said this to him, or the factory director, or even if his wife said it, Henry Faulkner could understand and accept it with an open mind. But for these words to come from his not-yet-two-year-old son—this was truly shocking.

Henry Faulkner’s mind was suddenly in turmoil. Had he, Henry Faulkner, roamed the world for nearly forty years only to find that his experience couldn’t compare to a child who’d just been weaned? The blow was just too much!

“You need to strive upward! Only then will your life have more value! My mom, your wife, and my brother, my sister, and I can all get a head start in life!” Edward Faulkner began his brainwashing campaign on the stunned couple. “What does it mean to be a successful man? A successful man is definitely not someone who just buries his head in work, letting the boss order him around, nor someone who is short-sighted, hesitating and wavering at the first sign of trouble, lacking the courage to move forward! A successful man dares to be the first, has the courage to rise above others! So what if it’s just a measly supervisor? Even if you became the factory director, it’s just attending a few more meetings and saying a few more empty words! Do you really think the current factory director is better than you in any way except being older?”

What he said made sense, but still, these words shouldn’t be coming from my son’s mouth, right? Henry Faulkner thought gloomily.

What’s so great about being a cadre? Other than not having to work on the shop floor, occasionally getting to ride in a car, and having a few more people visit during the holidays, there really isn’t much else! Henry Faulkner thought it over and still didn’t know where Edward Faulkner’s “head start in life” idea came from.

The Party’s principle is that cadres and the masses are treated equally. Could it be that people become cadres just to ride in a free car? Henry Faulkner really didn’t get it.

The factory did have a few cars, all Soviet-made, pretty decent quality, though a bit old. The assembly workshop even had one, assigned specifically to the supervisor for work convenience, since that workshop had a special status. For work matters, Henry Faulkner had often benefited from Supervisor Charles Brooks, so he didn’t think the car was anything special.

Could it be that serving the people and working diligently is considered short-sighted? Henry Faulkner felt his son had been a dangerous element full of bourgeois ideas since he was little. It was only because they were at home, and only because the Cultural Revolution was over—if this had been two years ago and outsiders heard these words, wouldn’t he have been labeled a counterrevolutionary on the spot!

Still, what his son said wasn’t exactly wrong. At least Henry Faulkner knew that the old supervisor was much less capable than he was in terms of skills, otherwise he wouldn’t have become the backbone of the entire assembly workshop.

To strive upward is something every man wants, but when it comes to choosing between ambition and trouble, it really is a tough call.