The Tycoon's Enchanted Mermaid

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Hook

Song Ma said warmly, “Of course you can, Miss Ade. Just give the word if you need anything in the future.”

Miss Ade nodded, smiling joyfully. She was naturally beautiful, and her smile was like a spring breeze melting winter snow, instantly softening one’s heart.

Especially for people like Song Ma, who had children at home, they simply adored a well-behaved young girl like Miss Ade. She had a grandson who was in college; if not for the Third Young Master’s affection for Miss Ade, she would have hardly resisted the urge to introduce and promote her own grandson.

But rules were rules. As a servant of the Qin Family, Song Ma only dared to entertain these thoughts in her heart, never bold enough to put them into action.

Miss Ade took Song Ma upstairs to braid her hair. When they came back down, Qin Yu hadn’t returned, but she saw two tall, burly figures with locked arms, running, chatting, and laughing as they came in.

Upon closer inspection, wasn’t that Wei Lan and Tang Bufan?

How did these two come together?

Tang Bufan, with his arm hooked around Wei Lan’s shoulder, was vividly sharing his complaints, talking about the “cow and horse” life he had endured recently. The next second, his eyes suddenly swept to the staircase, where a young girl stood. Her light red dress made her skin as white as the first snow, like a fresh flower perched on a branch in the early morning.

The first impression she gave was stunning.

He recognized this young girl; he had seen her before at Lishui Pavilion.

The incident started when he took Little Ade to Lishui Pavilion, causing Qin Yu to tattle on him to his father for idling around, which eventually got him assigned to hard labor in Tong City, enduring untold hardships before making it back to the Capital City.

As for the young girl, Tang Bufan remembered that it was Qin Yu himself who had personally come to take her away.

Just that fact alone was extraordinary. He had known Qin Yu for so long yet had never seen him take such a heartfelt interest in any woman.

She hadn’t shown her face yet, but in the Capital City’s social circles, she was already well-known for Qin Yu’s infatuation, as he moved into Wuqiong Water Pavilion for her, even offending the Shi Family and others for her sake.

A fury for a beauty’s sake indeed.

Recently, Tang Bufan had heard some whispers in the Capital City. Qin Yu himself was in the eye of the storm, but due to his methods, many people only dared to talk in secret, not brave enough to bring it up openly.

What Tang Bufan found strange was that this young girl looked just like Xiao Pang. Could she be her sister?

It’s possible. That explained why Qin Yu would take the time to care for a child; it turns out they were family.

Tang Bufan hurried over, his eyes fixed on Miss Ade, even reaching out with his hand deliberately.

“Hello there, Miss. Allow me to introduce myself – my name is Tang Bufan. Like Wei Lan, I am a friend of Qin Yu.”

Miss Ade murmured to herself, knowing full well he was Tang Bufan. After all, she had followed him before to look for the Bronze Sword, but back then, she was in the form of a child, so it made sense that he didn’t recognize her now.

“Hello.”

Miss Ade politely shook his hand and also stated her own name.

Tang Bufan’s eyes, bright as peach blossoms, shone as he repeated her name, “That name sounds somewhat familiar.”

“If I may ask politely, what is your relationship with the child who lived in Qin Yu’s house before? Don’t misunderstand, I’m just curious to see your name and appearance similar to hers, and since I took her to Lishui Pavilion last time I haven’t seen her, and I’ve been worried.”

Miss Ade thought to herself that they were indeed the same person, naturally looking identical, but of course, she could not admit it.

Unsure of how to answer, Miss Ade fell silent.

Wei Lan elbowed him, “What are you doing here, checking household registrations? Asking all these questions, aren’t you afraid you’ll be packing up and shipped back to Tong City by tomorrow?”

Tang Bufan was scared half to death, truly frightened that Qin Yu might complain to his father again. Qin Yu’s words were more powerful than imperial edicts, “Brother, could you not talk about such terrifying things, please? It’s really scary!”

Wei Lan scoffed, pulling away his arm and turning to Miss Ade, “Where’s Third Young Master? He’s not still in bed, is he?”

Logically speaking, today was a rest day and Qin Yu would not be going to the office for work, and that’s the reason Wei Lan had come over.

Ah Da replied to Wei Lan, “Qin Yu went for a morning jog and hasn’t returned yet? Do you have an urgent matter to discuss with him?”

“It’s not exactly urgent, it’s about Xiling, and this matter is quite strange,” Wei Lan hesitated, not knowing where to start.

Ah Da, unaware of what he meant by strange, said softly, “Qin Yu should be back soon. You all could sit for a while, or come have breakfast with me.”

“Breakfast sounds great, I haven’t eaten either, let’s eat together,” Tang Bufan chimed in eagerly from the side.

Ah Da gave him a look as if he were an idiot and turned towards the dining room.

Wei Lan, also in a rush, had not eaten breakfast and had planned on joining for a meal, so he immediately followed.

Tang Bufan, with even less shame, trotted up, latching onto Wei Lan’s shoulder and whispered into his ear,

“Bro, you’re so tight with Miss Su? But when I asked you about it on WeChat, you played dumb and said you didn’t know anything?”

Wei Lan glared at him, “You dare to talk about Third Young Master’s business?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Tang Bufan said instinctively.

Wei Lan pushed him away with disdain, “There you have it. Use your pig brain to think it through.”

Before entering, Wei Lan whispered, “Anyway, it’s pretty similar to what’s been said outside. I think Third Young Master is serious this time. Mind your own words and actions, don’t be as indiscreet as before.”

Tang Bufan felt indignant, jutting out his neck, “When have I ever been indiscreet? I, Tang Bufan, have always been a model student with good morals.”

“You’ve become increasingly boastful after your trip to Tong City; your skin is thicker than a wall.”

Wei Lan shook his head with a smile while pulling out a chair to sit down.

Tang Bufan also took a seat, his face clouded over at the mention of Tong City, “Don’t mention those two words. It’s like a shadow over me now. I really regret it. I never should have let curiosity get the better of me and led Little Ade out. Who knew Qin Yu would be so ruthless, and my dad too—that was practically patricide.”

Hearing his words, Ah Da couldn’t help but perk up her ears. It had been a while since she’d last seen Tang Bufan and had thought he was just busy, but it seemed that Qin Yu had taught him a lesson?

Ah Da felt somewhat guilty; after all, when she went out with Tang Bufan looking for the Bronze Sword, she had intended to use him from the start.

Yet she couldn’t outright express her thanks for the incident; she couldn’t expose her identity.

If Tang Bufan knew she was the child who had gone with him to Lishui Pavilion, he might be scared half to death.

Ah Da was deep in thought, spoon in hand, when Qin Yu returned. He walked in casually dressed and took his place next to her, as Wei Lan and Tang Bufan immediately greeted him with a wave and cheerful faces, “Third Young Master.”

Qin Yu glanced at them but said nothing, and took the seat beside Ah Da.

Tang Bufan sulked and sat down without any social grace, while Wei Lan, unable to hold back, kicked him. Tang Bufan looked around in confusion, wondering why Wei Lan had kicked him.

Wei Lan was speechless.

Qin Yu noticed their little sideshow and asked indifferently, “You’ve come over early in the morning. Is there something you need?”

Tang Bufan and Wei Lan exchanged looks, then Wei Lan, taking his seat, said earnestly, “There is something. It’s about the antiquities from Xiling that you’re looking for, Third Young Master—there’s been a development.”

On hearing this, Qin Yu looked up, “What kind of development?”

“Wanrong has spread the news; they’re planning an auction gala next Saturday, and it’s said there will be a showstopper item from a thousand years ago, from Xiling.”

The dining room fell silent for a moment, Qin Yu frowned and asked coldly, “Isn’t it that Xiling hasn’t been officially announced?”

Ah Da involuntarily gripped her spoon tighter.

“Yes,” Wei Lan’s expression turned serious, “That’s exactly what’s strange. I think someone is deliberately setting bait, trying to lure you. What do you think, Third Young Master?”