America: My Time

Chapter 1 Time Travel 1981
Chapter One: Time Travel to 1981
"John, making people wait every day isn't a good habit! Punctuality and self-discipline are the essence of success! But you seem a little different today. Have you figured things out and woken up from your daze?"

Hearing his father's words, John felt a sense of relief wash over him. All his previous worries vanished, and a faint smile appeared on his face as he said, "Yes, I've figured it out. I should be clear-headed. Life can't be lived in a state of constant, crazy desires!"

"Good, it's good that you can understand. If you continue to sink into this, destruction awaits you. I know you have many doubts in your heart and don't understand why we, as your parents, didn't wake you up and stop you when you first fell into this state, instead of letting you face the crazy temptations of the outside world at such a young age!"

John did indeed have such doubts in his heart at this moment, not understanding why his parents ignored the dangers and temptations he faced, ignored his decline, and did not guide him to adjust his mindset and get on the right path!
Seeing John's puzzled expression, Smith Bayard smiled calmly and said, "The reason is simple. This is a test for you, a test from your family. If you can't resist the temptation of early fame and escape its allure, it shows your willpower is very weak, which will seriously affect your future development. To become the elite of the elite, you must have a firm will. Every successful person possesses this quality. If you can't even pass this test, you naturally won't gain the family's approval. Even if you are a genius, you won't receive many resources from the family. A firm will is a prerequisite for success, and you have now passed the family's test! Secondly, there's the issue of rebellion. No matter how talented you are, you are currently in your rebellious phase, which is what your mother and I need to worry about. Geniuses often possess a confidence and persistence that is difficult for ordinary people to understand. The more we try to stop you at this time, the more reckless you will become. If we fully ignite your rebellious spirit, it will be extremely detrimental to your growth!"

Upon hearing this, John's face first showed a faint trace of disappointment. With a Chinese soul, the longing for family was ingrained in his bones and soul. The previous answer had chilled his heart and was hard to accept, but thankfully, the final explanation brought back the warmth of family affection.

John is a time traveler who traveled from China in 2022 to the United States in 1981, a country obsessed with free shopping, and became a wealthy young man. The sudden change in identity made him somewhat uncomfortable; after all, the soul of a man in his thirties had suddenly descended into the body of a teenager, merging with everything about the other man and himself. The fusion of two souls naturally brought some consequences!
As a time traveler, does one possess a cheat code? Of course, they do. This cheat code isn't some supernatural power or system, but rather a spiritual transformation—the fusion of two souls that grants them a spiritual metamorphosis. All the information from their past life's online adventures is deeply imprinted in their mind, and all their memories from this life are similarly integrated into their original body. The knowledge from their past life is their cheat code, and this spiritual transformation unlocks their potential.

Suddenly, he found himself in a new, vibrant body, and even traveled through time to the United States in 1981, becoming a wealthy young man. This was truly an unparalleled blessing bestowed upon him by the Three Pure Ones and the Buddha. With such an amazing opportunity, if he didn't enjoy life to the fullest and make something of himself, he would truly be letting down this immense opportunity granted by the Three Pure Ones and the Buddha.

The original owner of his body was named John Bayard, who was 17 years old this year. He was a precocious children's author. His mother, Anna Bayard, was a professor at Stanford University, and his father, John Bayard, was a well-known lawyer in San Francisco with his own law firm.

John was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, possessing astonishing talent in music and writing. By the age of 17, he was proficient in several instruments, including the piano, and was fluent in multiple languages ​​in addition to his native American language. Like many young Americans who achieve fame at a young age, John quickly became lost in endless temptations, gradually losing himself and heading towards destruction, until his own demise!
John's family is now preparing for Christmas, the most important holiday for Westerners! Like many children who achieve fame at a young age, fame and fortune have clouded his judgment, leading him to his first crisis in life. It's not just young people who encounter this problem; many adults also succumb to fame and fortune, succumbing to endless temptations, indulging themselves, and embarking on a path of no return.

The original owner's ideal was shocking: to pick up girls and seduce beauties all over the world. It has to be admitted that the United States is crazy and open-minded. A 17-year-old boy had such a crazy idea!
Of course, who doesn't like beautiful women? I'm no exception. However, while chasing girls is important, making money is even more crucial. After all, this is the best era for investment; if I seize the opportunity, I can soar to great heights.

“John, don’t complain about this. This is a test you must face on your life’s journey. Facing it sooner is actually better, as it will help you understand the vast difference between ideals and reality. Being too idealistic isn’t good for your life. Without experiencing setbacks and overcoming them, it’s difficult to achieve success. Every elite’s growth is accompanied by setbacks. Only by emerging from pain can your will be cleansed and become indestructible. A life without setbacks is incomplete! Perhaps you find this somewhat cruel or cold, but it will lead to a better future for you, which is why we made this decision. As the eldest son in the family, you must shoulder the responsibilities of the family!”

Anna, as a mother, stepped forward to explain everything to John. Responsibility—it's a heavy topic, one that no one can avoid. As long as you live in this world, you must bear your own responsibilities; no one can escape them. That's life!
“Mother, is it necessary to put a teenager like me through such a test? What’s the point? In my opinion, it’s not a good thing. Doing this will only make people cold-hearted, devoid of any family affection, leaving only naked self-interest, turning them into cold-blooded madmen!” John felt utterly disgusted by all of this arrangement, this so-called test!

As a father, Smith gently shook his head and said, "John, I know you resent this cruel test, and I resent it too, but you are the eldest son in the family and have received an elite education. This is a test you must face in life. Perhaps it is too cruel, but it is what you have to face. Facing this cruel life sooner will be better for your future. After all, society is so cruel and heartless these days."

At this point, Smith's tone shifted, and he continued, "Of course, this test also has its advantages. If you pass it, you'll gain the family's approval. When you need to start a business, you'll receive support from the family fund. Because you're a genius, the family will provide you with ten million US dollars. If you accept the family fund's support, you'll also need to bear corresponding responsibilities. The family's support isn't free; you only need to repay the principal within five years, and double it within ten years. If the business fails, you'll have to accept the family's arrangements for your future. Of course, you can refuse and not bear this responsibility!"

"Why?" It was 1981, and ten million dollars was no small sum. To hand over such a large amount of money to him seemed crazy and incomprehensible to John.

"There's no reason why. It's a family rule, not just for you, but for the entire family. All family members have the same opportunity. You're a genius; passing the family's test before you turn eighteen will naturally earn you the family's recognition! For all family members, no matter who it is, as long as they can do this, they will receive the same support. No one is an exception!"

"Don't feel pressured or surprised. Any family that wants to grow stronger needs to make progress in various fields and needs more geniuses. That's why we have these family rules! You'll be eighteen after the New Year. You're no longer a child and should take on responsibilities. Your life will begin anew!"

The Bayard family is an old-school family in the United States. Although it is not the most prestigious family and is not considered a decision-maker in the United States, such old-school families have a good foundation, and families with a foundation naturally have their own rules.

(End of this chapter)