Chapter 32 White Gloves

"Mr. Mu, I... I don't understand politics." Richard's voice trembled slightly.

"I don't know how to run a campaign, how to canvass for votes, or how to deal with those politicians."

"None of that is a problem." Mu Xin's tone was calm. "You have professional knowledge, grassroots experience, and a tragic backstory."

"All you need is a strong backing."

"And I can provide that backing for you."

"I will assemble a professional campaign team for you, hiring the best people for everything from advertising strategy to voter mobilization, from policy formulation to debate training."

"I will provide all the campaign funds you need; millions, tens of millions—it's not a problem."

"I will use all my resources to help you establish connections in the State Legislature and secure support from party heavyweights."

"You only need to do one thing: stand on that stage and tell your story."

Richard looked at Mu Xin, seeing a light in those dark eyes he had never seen before.

It was not pity, nor charity, but a determination bordering on paranoia.

"Mr. Mu, why are you helping me?" Richard's tone carried a hint of wariness. "What do you want?"

"What I want is very simple." Mu Xin leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"I want Oxford Town's population to grow from twenty thousand to one hundred thousand, and then to two hundred thousand. I want to build factories, schools, hospitals, and commercial centers here."

"However, I am Chinese."

"In this country, it is almost impossible for a Chinese person to make a mark in politics."

"Therefore, I need a glove."

"A glove that can represent my interests and speak for me in the State Legislature."

"And you, Director Miller, are the most suitable candidate I can find right now."

Richard was silent for a long time.

He knew Mu Xin was telling the truth.

A Chinese international student, holding tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, wanting to make major investments in Ohio—without political backing, it would be impossible to take a single step.

And he, a minor civil servant nearing retirement, had been suddenly pushed into this position.

It was less that Mu Xin was helping him, and more that he was helping Mu Xin.

But what did that matter?

Mu Xin could help him get justice for his son, make Jimmy Williams pay the price he deserved, and destroy the power network that had killed his son.

That was enough.

As for what Mu Xin wanted to use him for, that was a matter for the future.

"Alright." Richard took a deep breath, his eyes becoming firm. "I agree."

"I will resign from my job at the Environmental Protection Agency and go all out to run for State Representative."

"But Mr. Mu, I have one condition."

"Go ahead."

"Jimmy's case—I must be the one to personally send him to prison." Richard's voice was very soft, but every word was squeezed out through his teeth.

"I want to stand in court and watch the judge pass sentence."

"I want him to know that what he owes my son can never be repaid in this lifetime."

Mu Xin looked into Richard's eyes; there was a nearly fanatical persistence in them.

It was the pain of losing a son, a father's yearning for justice.

"Alright." Mu Xin nodded. "I promise you."

...

When the two of them walked out of Starbucks, the sun was blazing.

Richard stood at the entrance, squinting at the sky and taking a deep breath.

"Mr. Mu, I have one last question."

"Speak."

"Why are you doing this?"

"I told you, I need a glove."

"Not that." Richard shook his head. "I mean, why do you want to help me get justice for my son?"

"You could have just used the grudge between me and Jimmy to make me work for you; there was no need to spend millions of dollars hiring lawyers to reopen that old case."

Mu Xin was silent.

"Because I also have a father." Mu Xin's voice was soft. "If one day someone kills me, I hope my father can also meet someone willing to help him get justice."

Richard said nothing more, just reached out and shook hands firmly with Mu Xin.

"Mr. Mu, pleasure working with you."

"Pleasure working with you."

...

When Mu Xin returned to the Morris Building, Jessica was waiting for him.

"How did the talk go?" Jessica asked.

"Very well." Mu Xin sat in his chair, picked up the now-cold cappuccino, and took a sip.

"Richard agreed. He will resign from the Environmental Protection Agency and go all out to run for State Representative."

"Do you really think he can get elected?" Jessica frowned.

"He's just a director of a small local branch; he has no name recognition in the state."

"Whether he gets elected isn't important." Mu Xin shook his head. "What's important is that he must run."

Jessica paused, then immediately understood what Mu Xin meant.

"You want to use him to test the waters?"

"Exactly." Mu Xin nodded. "I have no experience on the political path."

"I need someone to pave the way, to test for errors, and to figure out the rules of the game here."

"Richard Miller is that person."

"If he gets elected, that would be best. We will have an ally in the State Legislature."

"If he doesn't get elected, that's fine too. We will accumulate experience, build a network, and figure out the opponent's cards during this process."

"Next time, we will win."

Jessica looked at Mu Xin, her eyes complex.

She suddenly felt that this Chinese international student, who was younger than her, was colder and shrewder than any politician she had ever known.

"What about Jimmy's case?" Jessica asked. "Are you really going to spend millions to reopen that old case?"

"Millions?" Mu Xin chuckled. "If it means I can watch Jimmy Williams spend the rest of his life in prison, I'd be willing to spend tens of millions."

"Besides, this isn't just about helping Richard get revenge."

"This is also delivering the final blow to the Williams Family."

"Jimmy is their eldest son, Old Williams's favorite child."

"If Jimmy is sentenced to a heavy term, even if Old Williams doesn't die, he'll be finished."

"By then, the Williams Family will be completely finished."

Jessica was silent for a moment, then took a document from the folder and handed it to Mu Xin.

"This is the list of the legal team and the quote sent over from Cincinnati."

Mu Xin took it and glanced over it.

"Five people, all big shots in the field of criminal defense."

"The person leading the team is named Michael Caine, who has won three major federal-level corruption cases."

"The quote is two million dollars, excluding various miscellaneous fees during the litigation process."

"Agree to it." Mu Xin handed the document back to Jessica. "Tell them money is no object. But there is one condition."

"What condition?"

"In this case, Richard Miller must personally testify in court."

"He has waited so many years just for this day."

"Let him personally send Jimmy Williams to prison."

Jessica nodded and picked up a pen to make a note on the document.

"There is one more thing." Jessica looked up at Mu Xin.

"Victoria asked me to ask you, now that the Water Plant is operational, should we prepare a detailed budget for revenue and expenditures?"

"No need." Mu Xin waved his hand. "Tell Victoria, for the Water Plant's accounts, there is only one principle: just don't lose money."

"The Water Plant isn't for making money; it's for securing the hearts of the people in Oxford Town."

"As long as the residents have clean water to drink, and as long as they remember that it was Mu Xin who enabled them to drink clean water, that is enough."

Jessica gave a wry smile.

She had truly never seen business done this way.

Tens of millions poured in: the Water Plant was built, the equipment was renovated, police cars were donated, lawyers were hired, and then he says, "Just don't lose money."

"One more thing." Jessica pulled an invitation from the very bottom of the folder and handed it to Mu Xin.

"It was sent by the Mayor's office. Next Friday night, the town is holding an 'Oxford Town Development Forum,' and they are inviting you to give a speech."

Mu Xin took the invitation, glanced at it, and tossed it onto the table.

"Not going."

"Why?" Jessica was stunned. "This is a great opportunity; you could present your development plan to all the town's residents."

"Now is not the time." Mu Xin shook his head. "The Water Plant has just restored water supply, Jimmy's case hasn't gone to trial yet, and Richard's campaign hasn't started."

"If I go to give a speech now, to put it nicely, it's showcasing a plan; to put it bluntly, it's showing off."

"Wait until everything has settled, then let them know who the real master of Oxford Town is."

Jessica said nothing more, put away the invitation, and turned to leave.

When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Mu Xin.

"Mr. Mu."

"Hmm?"

"You will succeed. I know you will."

Mu Xin looked at her and smiled.

"I hope so."

Jessica pushed the door open and walked out.