The Tycoon's Enchanted Mermaid

The night was dark and swirling, with delicate rain threads falling like gossamer from the pitch-black sky canopy. Tall reinforced concrete buildings were shrouded in mist, rendering them a murky blur.

On the overpass, a white Maybach sped along, its wheels kicking up sprays of water from the bridge's surface.

As the New Year approached, there were very few vehicles on the road. The man drove single-handedly, lost in the rhythmic vibrations of rock music. Beside him on the passenger seat lay a square box, partially wrapped in a blue auspicious cloud-patterned cloth, extremely exquisite, with a red, lacquered-gold certificate stacked on top.

The Maybach passed through the bustling commercial boulevard without pause and drove into the upscale villa district. To the left ran the river, and to the right was a lush man-made forest. After scanning the license plate at the gate, the man slowed down and gently pressed the brake to stop the car in the garage ten minutes later.

The European-style villa, towering and stern, cut an imposing figure. Its artistic greenery surrounded it; it was pleasing to the eye but, just like its owner, lacked warmth.

The man quickly ascended the stairs with the box in hand. A plainly dressed middle-aged man emerged from the villa, looking vigorous with his hands clasped in front of him, a smile in his eyes as he watched him approach, "Mr. Tang, what brings you here at this hour?"

Tang Bufan's handsome face broke into a light smile, "What, Uncle Wen, you're not welcoming me?"

Uncle Wen bowed humbly and said, "Not at all, Mr. Tang, please come inside." Gesturing politely with his hand as he spoke.

Tang Bufan certainly was not one to be restrained; he took brisk steps inside, talking to himself contentedly as he went.

"During the holidays, I just knew Qin Yu would be home alone again. It's fine if he doesn't want to join the family for the festivities, but why doesn't he make his own place a bit cozier? Hanging a few red lanterns to make it festive wouldn't hurt, right?"

"Uncle Wen, you too, you really should encourage him. At this rate, I'm starting to suspect he's decided to become an immortal."

Uncle Wen just smiled, not daring to add to the conversation.

Upon entering the living room, Tang Bufan made himself at home as if he were in his own house. He placed the box on the coffee table and was just sitting down on the sofa when he heard someone coming downstairs.

"Why are you here?"

Qin Yu descended with his long legs, the grey home clothes making his skin appear somewhat pale. His deep, cold, black pupils hung low, giving off a lazy weariness. His shoulders were broad, his waist narrow, and his angular face with striking features managed to be handsome without a hint of femininity. In a crowd, he would undoubtedly be a dazzling presence.

Even someone as self-loving as Tang Bufan couldn't deny that Qin Yu was exceptionally good-looking—it was no wonder the socialites of Capital City were dreaming of marrying him.

Tsk tsk, it was just unfortunate that Qin Yu was born with a monk-like indifference to affection. He had no interest in women—and certainly none in men.

With his legs crossed, Tang Bufan raised his eyebrows, "I came to keep you company for the New Year, of course. How about it, are you touched?"

Qin Yu showed no emotion as he came over and sat down opposite Tang Bufan. Uncle Wen timely brought over the tea service.

"Hey, Master Qin, since it's the holidays, I came specially to accompany you, a lonely man. Can't you at least give me a warm welcome?" Tang Bufan complained resentfully.

Uncle Wen, standing off to the side, listened with nerves jangling. He couldn't help but think that probably only Mr. Tang dared to speak to the young master in such a manner; anyone else wouldn't dare be so bold, not even if they had ten times the courage. But it was good for Mr. Tang to be this way— the young master was always so isolated, it was truly worrying.

His nature was already cold and indifferent, and the tragic loss of his parents a decade ago only added chill to the frost.

Qin Yu looked at Tang Bufan, his eyes calm and still as he asked faintly, "Was Uncle Tang the one who sent you here?"

Tang Bufan sighed and shook his head, "It's no fun, truly no fun. I can't hide anything from you. Can't you just pretend you don't know? You're making it hard for me to report back."

The Qin and Tang families were old friends and kept close ties, especially Qin Jingming, Qin Yu's father, and Tang Wen, Tang Bufan's father, from their generation who joined the military for peacekeeping when they were young. They were known as "brothers-in-arms," thick as thieves. In Tang Bufan's memory, his old man often reminisced about Qin Jingming and cared more for Qin Yu than for his own son.

Qin Yu didn't speak. Tang Bufan went on, "I heard you didn't go back to the old house and were unwilling to go to the Tang Family for the New Year when they called you. That's why my dad kicked me out the door to come keep you company. Anyway, I do have something for you. Check it out; these are two unique treasures I recently obtained."

"Absolutely one of a kind."

Tang Bufan sat up straight, confidently patting the black case on the coffee table.

Qin Yu obviously wasn't interested, "You should take it back. Leaving it here is no different than tossing it into a storeroom."

"Who says? Keeping it here could definitely increase its value. Believe it or not, I could sell it for double the price overnight, or it might even become priceless."

The socialites of Capital City were like starving tigers that hadn't eaten for hundreds of years, fiercely eyeing Qin Yu as a piece of fat meat. To marry into Qin Family and become the Mistress, someone would bleed out several hundred million without even blinking an eye.

Tang Bufan wore a teasing look as if saying you don't understand the market, smugly. Qin Yu lifted his eyes, the depths of which were scattered and icily indifferent. Seeing that, Tang Bufan's expression instantly became serious.

Having known Qin Yu since childhood, precisely because he knew him too well, Tang Bufan was aware of when Qin Yu was truly angry.

"I'm just joking, just joking," Tang Bufan said thickly, eagerly changing the subject. "But I really do have to give you this treasure. Don't refuse yet; have a look first."

Finally, Qin Yu lifted his eyes, and Tang Bufan, wearing a confident smile, slowly opened the case.

Inside the case, laid upon black velvet, was a green and white jade incense burner carved from jade. The jade was crystal clear and under the light shone with a soft luster, obviously of fine quality, even to those not well-versed in antiques.

The incense burner was exquisitely carved with an extraordinary design. The tall, pointed lid and the burner base fit perfectly with no visible seams. It was decorated with layered mountain ranges shrouded in mist, and a green dragon within the mountain ravines swirling and rising into clouds, as lively as if it were living.

The base of the burner was a long-haired maiden with a fish tail for her lower body, sitting on a rock, looking upwards with both hands supporting the mountains.

For some reason, the mermaid girl captured Qin Yu's attention at first glance, especially the scales on her body shimmering like light on water. He couldn't help but reach out to touch them, feeling an indescribably smooth texture.

"Indeed, it's good jade," said Qin Yu.

Tang Bufan, as if receiving praise, immediately perked up, chatting nonstop.

"Of course. I never fixate on anything mediocre. Let me tell you, this incense burner has quite the history. It was the grand finale item at last month's Wanrong Auction, officially named the 'Green and white jade incense burner.' Supposedly it has a history of over a thousand years. I didn't listen too closely, but anyway, it's an antique among antiques."

"And that's not even its most unique aspect. Take a closer look, from top to bottom, from the inside out, there's not a trace of historical wear. The entire jade is so perfect. And if you smell carefully, there's even a faint scent of fragrance."

The item was indeed excellent, but as for the scent, Qin Yu didn't notice it.

Tang Bufan placed the incense burner back into the case and pushed it toward Qin Yu, "This incense burner, you keep it. Antiques have their own spirit. Aren't you often suffering from insomnia? I went out of my way to consult an international perfumer to customize a soothing fragrance for you. Paired with this antique burner, I guarantee it will remedy your condition."