The Mermaid Asks for Love - Chapter 1

I set my sights on a Mermaid at the black market.

Its body was battered, shaped like a withered leaf, and it was selling itself.

The black market was crowded with people coming and going, but not one paused for this Mermaid in such a pitiful state.

I walked up to its stall and asked, “How much does it cost to buy you?”

The Mermaid lowered its eyelids:

“No money.

“I need a lot, a lot of love.”

This isn’t my first time at the black market, nor is it the first time I’ve seen that Mermaid.

In an inconspicuous corner, its head bowed very low.

From the moment I stepped in, it would lift its head, its gaze following me the entire time.

Honestly, I don’t think I possess much charm to warrant its repeated attention.

I don’t look like someone with a soft heart, either.

After so many times, I finally walked up to it.

Unexpectedly, it immediately lowered its head, clenched its fists, and looked extremely nervous.

From afar, it had always seemed ordinary, unremarkable, even covered in a layer of gray dust.

Now that I was closer, I realized that beneath the dust, its skin was pale and translucent.

The scales, shimmering like seawater, seemed to be clamoring to break free from their dull disguise.

Only the fin on its right ear was torn, marring its appearance.

This was an S-class Mermaid, but unfortunately, it was a defective one.

Defective goods are worthless.

But I had just moved, and there was a vast sea right next to my new place.

I didn’t mind keeping a Mermaid to pass my long and lonely days.

Weighing its value in my mind, I asked,

“How much?”

The Mermaid lifted its face, and only then did I notice its stunning pair of sapphire-blue eyes.

Before it could speak, I habitually began to bargain based on the facts.

“The ear fin is torn-a defective product.

“There are scars on your body; you’re not qualified to be a display piece.”

“Most importantly,” I picked up a strand of its silver hair and calmly concluded, “you’re already quite old.”

The Mermaid blushed to the tips of its ears, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

It clenched its hands even tighter, and its voice was a bit stammering.

“No… no money needed.”

I let go of its long hair, and it mustered up the courage to look straight at me.

“I want lots and lots of love.”