Chapter 46 Gathering Together

Jessica couldn't help but laugh. Victoria also chuckled softly beside her.

"By the way," Jessica took her phone out of her bag and pulled up a message, "Rick Joy's studio has replied."

Mu Xin put down his cola and sat up straight.

"They said that Rick Joy hasn't been taking on many new projects lately, but after looking at our project materials, he expressed interest."

"He said the virgin beech and maple forests of Hueston Woods and the scenery of Acton Lake reminded him of the geological wonders he saw in the Utah desert when he was young."

"He is willing to fly over for a site visit."

"Marwan Al-Sayed has also replied," Jessica continued scrolling through the messages.

"He said that since Amangiri, he has been focusing on private residential projects and rarely takes on commercial commissions."

"But our project budget is attractive enough that he is willing to consider it."

"His quote is two million dollars for the design fee, excluding travel and material costs."

"Agree to it," Mu Xin said without hesitation. "Tell Marwan that two million is no problem, as long as he is willing to bring the design philosophy of Amangiri to Hueston Woods."

"What about Wendell Burnette?" Victoria asked.

"No reply yet," Jessica shook her head. "He is currently a visiting professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, so he is slow to reply to emails."

"No rush," Mu Xin stood up and walked to the window, looking at the night view outside.

"Jessica, tomorrow you should organize all the letters of intent and memoranda and send them to Senator Klein and Advisor Harris."

"Let them know that we have secured the county approval and the project has entered the substantive promotion stage."

"Let them hurry up and get the State Government's strategic project designation approved."

"Victoria, you start preparing the financial model and operating budget for the hotel."

"When Rick Joy and Marwan come for their site visit, I don't want to show them just a project concept, but a complete, executable business plan."

"Mr. Mu," Victoria hesitated, but spoke up anyway.

"We have spent twenty-five million this week, not counting the hotel construction costs. Your funds…"

"Enough," Mu Xin turned to look at Victoria, a confident smile on his lips.

"Victoria, you are the best financial expert I have ever met, but there is one thing you don't know."

"What is it?"

"I have much more money than you imagine."

Victoria opened her mouth to ask further, but seeing the determined light in Mu Xin's eyes, she swallowed the words back.

She didn't know exactly how much money Mu Xin had, but she knew this man was never short of money.

What he lacked was always just time.

Mu Xin stood by the window, looking in the direction of the Water Plant.

The lights of the Water Plant flickered in the night, like a bright star.

He opened the system panel, and the line of text on it read: [Hint: When the population of Oxford Town exceeds 100,000, a special reward will be triggered]

One hundred thousand people.

One hotel is not enough; one hotel plus one Water Plant is also not enough.

But he was not in a hurry.

He had plenty of money and plenty of patience.

"Jessica."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think the Governor of Ohio can help us do one more thing?"

Jessica was stunned: "What thing?"

"Help us contact the Ohio Tourism Bureau," Mu Xin turned around, hands in his pockets, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"After the hotel is built, it will need tourists. I want the Ohio Tourism Bureau to list Hueston Woods as a key tourism destination for the entire state."

Jessica took a deep breath. She suddenly realized that what Mu Xin wanted was not just a hotel.

He wanted an industry, an industry capable of changing the fate of Oxford Town.

...

On the Monday a week later, Oxford Town welcomed the liveliest day of the summer.

Mu Xin found a conference room at the school. The table was covered with a white tablecloth, with a few bottles of mineral water and a few cups of coffee placed on it.

Jessica stood at the door to greet guests, and Victoria sat in the corner checking the numbers in the checkbook.

Tobias was also called over, responsible for serving tea and water. He was wearing a clean polo shirt, his palms sweating from nervousness.

"What are you nervous about?" Mu Xin looked at him and couldn't help but laugh.

"Mr. Mu, today there are State Senators, Governor's advisors, and the chairs of two counties. I am just the manager of a small Water Plant…"

Tobias wiped the sweat from his forehead, "I'm afraid… I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing."

"You don't need to speak," Mu Xin patted his shoulder. "You just need to stand there and let them see a living, breathing success story."

"What story?"

"A person who was oppressed by the Williams Family for over twenty years and whose Water Plant was almost burned down by Jimmy, now has an annual salary of five hundred thousand and holds ten percent of the Water Plant's shares."

"This is the change I have brought to Oxford Town. This is a visible, tangible example."

Tobias was stunned for a moment, then took a deep breath, and straightened his back significantly.

At 9:30, the first car arrived.

Senator Klein stepped out of a black Lincoln SUV, wearing a light gray suit, his hair combed meticulously, and the smile on his face was even brighter than when they met in Columbus last week.

He was followed by a young assistant, carrying a briefcase, with an expression as serious as if he were going to sign a peace treaty.

"Senator, welcome to Oxford Town," Mu Xin walked up, shook Klein's hand, and led him into the conference room.

At 10:00 sharp, Advisor Harris arrived.

He was wearing a dark blue suit, no tie, and the top button of his shirt was undone, looking much more casual than when they met in the office last week.

He was driving a silver Lexus with official State Government license plates.

At 10:15, Butler County Chair Speaker Margaret and the Chair of Preble County arrived together.

Speaker Margaret was wearing a navy blue suit skirt today, her hair was put up, and she was wearing pearl earrings. She looked much softer than she did at the County Hall.

The Chair of Preble County was named Bill Johnson, a white old man in his sixties with completely white hair and a face full of wrinkles. When he walked, his back was straight, looking like a shrewd old politician.

At 10:30, everyone had arrived.

The long table was full of people. Mu Xin sat at the head of the table, with Jessica and Victoria on his left and right.

Opposite them were Klein and his assistant. Advisor Harris sat next to Klein, and Speaker Margaret and Bill sat on the other side.

Tobias stood at the door, ready to pour coffee at any time.

"Everyone," Mu Xin stood up. "First of all, thank you all for coming to Oxford Town today."

"I know everyone is very busy. Being able to rush here from Columbus, Hamilton, and Eaton shows how much you value this project."

"I didn't invite you here today for a meeting, but to fulfill a promise."

He took a stack of checkbooks from Victoria, flipped to the first page, picked up a pen, wrote a few strokes on the check, and then tore it off.