Chapter 22 Triple Pay

The day after the Water Plant acquisition was completed, the 28 million USD in Mu Xin's account was transferred to the Williams Family's account.

At the same time, two other sums of money also arrived: 20 million USD was transferred into the Water Plant's new account for equipment upgrades and comprehensive rectification.

Another 8 million USD was deposited directly into the account of Robert Williams Construction Company.

"Th-this is too fast, isn't it?" Robert sat in Mu Xin's office, staring at the string of numbers on his mobile banking app, his voice trembling slightly.

He had spent most of his life in construction, and the largest contract he had ever taken was only 500,000 USD, which was just a small job renovating the church in town.

Now that there was an extra eight million in his account, he felt like his heart was about to jump out of his throat.

"I said that as long as you help me, I won't treat you unfairly." Mu Xin sat opposite him, holding a 7-Up in his hand.

"However, this 8 million is just the initial payment. There is another 12 million to follow. Once you finish the project, every single cent will be transferred to your account."

"Th-there is another 12 million to follow?" Robert's eyes were about to pop out. "Mr. Mu, what kind of project are you talking about exactly?"

"A complete renovation and equipment upgrade of the Water Plant." Mu Xin set down his drink, took a thick project proposal from his drawer, and pushed it toward Robert.

"This is the construction plan that Tobias stayed up all night to rush out yesterday. Take a look."

Robert opened the proposal, his expression becoming increasingly complex as he read.

The workload for the Water Plant renovation was far greater than he had imagined.

First was the replacement of core equipment: three reverse osmosis filtration units, two ultrafiltration systems, four high-pressure pumps, six sets of activated carbon filters, as well as the supporting pipes, valves, instruments, and control systems.

Next was the renovation of the factory buildings; the roofs of all three production workshops needed to be completely replaced, the floors needed anti-corrosion treatment, the walls needed repainting, and a new central control room and water quality testing laboratory needed to be built.

Finally, there was the pipeline network renovation; nearly five kilometers of the town's main pipeline network needed to be replaced, hundreds of old valves needed to be completely swapped out, and secondary booster pump stations needed to be added in three residential areas.

"Under a normal timeline, it would take at least three months to finish all this work." Robert closed the proposal and looked at Mu Xin.

"Plus, we don't have enough manpower in town, and a lot of professional equipment will need to be rented from Cincinnati."

"I know." Mu Xin nodded. "That's why I'm not asking for a normal timeline."

"Then how long are you asking for?"

"One month."

Robert thought he had misheard: "One month? Mr. Mu, are you joking?"

"I never joke." Mu Xin's tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable power.

"The Environmental Protection Agency gave a 60-day deadline for rectification, but I can't wait that long."

"I want the residents of Oxford Town to be drinking tap water that meets standards within 30 days."

"30 days..." Robert muttered to himself, the expression on his face shifting from shock to difficulty.

"Mr. Mu, it's not that I don't want to do it, it's just that it's impossible to finish."

"Even if I pulled everyone from my construction company over and worked in three shifts, it would take at least..."

"I will give you triple pay." Mu Xin interrupted him.

Robert froze.

"All labor, materials, and equipment rentals will be settled at three times the market rate." Mu Xin held up three fingers.

"There is only one condition: within 30 days, I want to see a brand-new Water Plant."

"Workers' wages will be calculated by the hour, and overtime pay will be three times the normal wage. Workers on the night shift will get an additional 50 USD subsidy per hour."

"As for materials, you don't need to consider the cost; use the best."

"If you need to source goods from elsewhere, I will pay for shipping and rush fees. Whatever is fastest, do that."

"The same goes for equipment rentals. If it's not in Cincinnati, rent it from Columbus; if it's not in Columbus, rent it from Cleveland."

"As long as it can be finished within a month, the amount of money is not an issue."

Robert opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his mind completely blank.

Triple pay.

All materials to be the best.

Rush fees, shipping fees, rental fees—all covered by Mu Xin.

He had been in the construction industry for thirty years and had never seen a project handled this way.

"Mr. Mu, d-do you know how much the total cost will be if we do this?" Robert's voice trembled slightly.

"The budget is 20 million." Mu Xin said calmly. "If it's not enough, it can be increased."

"20 million..." Robert was completely speechless.

He had originally thought that of the 20 million USD Mu Xin mentioned for equipment upgrades, it would be good if he could scrape together 15 million for the actual construction.

He hadn't expected Mu Xin's 20 million to be a solid budget, and that he could add more if it wasn't enough.

"How about it? Can you take this job?" Mu Xin looked at him, his gaze calm but carrying a hint of pressure.

Robert took a deep breath, stood up, and extended his hand: "I'll take it! This job, I, Robert Williams, will take it!"

"Good." Mu Xin stood up and shook his hand. "Then I have only one requirement."

"Go ahead."

"In 30 days, I want to see a brand-new Water Plant. No matter what problems you encounter along the way, you must find a way to solve them."

"If you can't solve them, come to me anytime."

"Money is not an issue."

"Understood!" Robert nodded, his eyes filled with motivation.

"Mr. Mu, don't worry. Within 30 days, if I don't finish this project, I'll bring you my head!"

"There's no need for your head." Mu Xin smiled. "However, if you really can finish on time, I will give you an additional 1 million USD bonus."

Robert's breathing became rapid.

A 1 million USD bonus!

Combined with the profit from the project itself, his income for this one month would be more than the last ten years combined.

"Mr. Mu, I'm going back to arrange everything right now!" Robert picked up the proposal and turned to leave.

Mu Xin smiled; as long as the money is sufficient, there is nothing that cannot be done.

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned back to look at Mu Xin, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke:

"Mr. Mu, there is something... I want to tell you."

"Speak."

"Jimmy has been acting restless lately." Robert's voice dropped very low.

"He drank all night at the bar yesterday and said in front of many people that he would make you pay."

"He also said that the Water Plant belongs to his family and he won't let a Chinese kid take it away."

Mu Xin raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged.

"I know." He said calmly. "You focus on the construction, don't worry about other matters."

Robert nodded and pushed the door open to leave.

He didn't know Mu Xin's background, and he didn't want to—or dare to—investigate it. A person who could casually throw away tens of millions was not someone he could understand.

Robert only wanted to follow Mu Xin to make money; he didn't want to know anything else.