Chapter 116 Chinese Capital Infiltration into the United States

Mu Xin's expression did not change; he looked into Ramaswamy's eyes, and the other man's expression was very sincere.

"Mr. Ramaswamy, you are a Republican Party candidate, and I am just a Chinese international student investing in Ohio. What could I possibly have that is worth you sending people to investigate?"

Ramaswamy smiled, but there was no warmth in that smile.

"Mr. Mu, how much money have you invested in Ohio? Water Plant, power plant, hotels, Medical Center, infrastructure donations—it all adds up to nearly 300 million USD, doesn't it?"

"A Chinese international student in his early twenties, who has been in the United States for less than three years—where did you get so much money?"

"bitcoin," Mu Xin said, his tone very calm. "I have said it many times."

"bitcoin." Ramaswamy repeated the word and chuckled. "Mr. Mu, do you think I would believe that?"

"Whether you believe it or not is not important. What's important is that every cent of my money is legal, every tax has been paid, and every contract can withstand scrutiny."

Ramaswamy leaned back on the sofa. "Mr. Mu, I didn't come here today to audit your accounts, nor did I come to expose your secrets."

"I sent people to investigate you because I needed to know what kind of person you really are."

"A Chinese international student investing 300 million USD in Ohio—are you here to make money, or are you here for something else?"

"I came to the United States solely to make money." Mu Xin's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was racing.

"Mr. Ramaswamy, my building of hotels and a Medical Center, and my donations to infrastructure in Oxford Town—every single thing is legal, transparent, and can withstand scrutiny."

"I am just a businessman, not a political figure. I don't care who becomes Governor; I only care about whether my projects can proceed smoothly."

Ramaswamy looked at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and then chuckled softly.

"Mr. Mu, you speak very cautiously."

"I am a foreigner. In this country, caution is not a choice; it is survival," Mu Xin said.

Ramaswamy's eyebrows twitched slightly; he had not expected Mu Xin to be so direct.

For a young man in his early twenties to tell him that caution is survival—not everyone could say something like that.

"Mr. Mu, have you met with Acton?"

The air in the office seemed to freeze, and even the occasional bird chirping outside the window became exceptionally clear.

Mu Xin looked into Ramaswamy's eyes; those dark brown eyes held a sense of scrutiny, a certainty that said, 'I already know the answer.'

Mu Xin knew the other man knew everything. Mu Xin took a deep breath. "I have, at the Starbucks in the town center."

He chose to tell the truth; lying in front of a person like this was meaningless.

"What did you talk about?"

"The Medical Center." Mu Xin's tone was calm. "Ms. Acton is very interested in my Medical Center project in Oxford Town and gave me some suggestions at the policy level."

"Is that all?" Ramaswamy raised an eyebrow.

"That is all. I am a businessman and do not care about politics. No matter who becomes Governor, my projects must continue."

"Therefore, I am willing to talk to anyone, as long as it is helpful to my projects."

Ramaswamy looked at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and then nodded.

"Mr. Mu, you are a smart man, but smart people also have the troubles of smart people."

"What kind of trouble?" Mu Xin asked in return.

"Do you know why Acton wanted to meet you?"

"She is interested in medical policy," Mu Xin replied.

"Incorrect." Ramaswamy shook his head, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice. "She met you because she needs your money."

"She is a Democratic Party candidate, and in Ohio, it is very difficult for the Democratic Party to win."

"Her campaign funds are far from sufficient, and her polls have been lagging. She needs a bargaining chip that can help her turn the situation around."

"Your Medical Center is that bargaining chip."

"She can stand in front of the cameras and say, 'I am working with investors to build a Medical Center in Ohio,' and voters will feel like she is getting things done."

"But in reality, she hasn't done anything. She just had a cup of coffee with you and chatted for a few minutes."

"And then she turned your project into her political achievement."

Mu Xin did not speak. What Ramaswamy said was the truth; Acton was indeed using his project.

But so what? He was also using Acton.

She wanted political achievements, and he wanted the support of the State Government. It was a fair trade; nobody owed anyone anything.

"Mr. Ramaswamy, I know everything you have said."

"But I don't care. Whoever uses my project, as long as it benefits my project, I don't mind."

Ramaswamy looked at him. "Mr. Mu, I like your attitude."

He stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Mu Xin, and remained silent for a few seconds.

"Mr. Mu, do you know why I sent people to investigate you?"

"I do not."

"Because I needed a reason." Ramaswamy turned around. "A Chinese international student investing 300 million USD in Ohio—if exposed by the media, it would become huge news."

"Do you know what Republican Party voters hate the most?"

"China." Mu Xin shrugged.

"Correct." Ramaswamy nodded. "China. Whether it is in trade, technology, or politics, our voters have a very clear attitude toward China."

"If I could take a large-scale investment project by a Chinese international student and use it as a talking point during the campaign, claiming that this is Chinese capital infiltrating Ohio, my approval rating would skyrocket instantly."

"But why didn't you do that?" Mu Xin's voice was very calm.

"Because your projects are real." Ramaswamy walked back to the sofa and sat down, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

"I sent people to investigate your Water Plant, your power plant, your hotel construction sites, and even the batch of police cars you donated to the Police Department."

"Everything is real, every cent has been spent where it counts, and every project is creating jobs for Ohio."

"If I were to use you as a target, the voters would ask me a question: What bad things has this Chinese international student actually done by coming to Ohio to invest?"

"I wouldn't be able to answer, because he hasn't done anything wrong."

"He is just doing business, doing things we Americans are unwilling to do—building hotels, building hospitals, and creating jobs in remote small towns."

"If I were to label such a person as Chinese capital infiltration, voters would think I am crazy, or worse, they would think I am creating imaginary enemies for my own campaign."

Mu Xin leaned back in his chair, looking into Ramaswamy's eyes. He was trying to judge how much of this man's words were true.

From Governor DeWine, he had learned that politicians are always trading; from Acton, he had learned that politicians are always using others.

And Ramaswamy was teaching him the third lesson: politicians are always calculating.

Not calculating you, but calculating the things behind you.

Your money, your projects, your value for exploitation.

"Mr. Ramaswamy, you didn't come to see me today just to tell me that you sent people to investigate me."

"Then what was it for?"

"To confirm one thing." Ramaswamy held up one finger. "To confirm whether you are a person I can cooperate with."