Plop. A pearl fell, landing in the wooden basin Yu Shanye was holding. Testing the weight, she gently shook it. A soft rustling sound echoed. “I think this is enough,” she declared. “I don’t think so,” Lan Wu countered. She held a halved onion close to her eyes. Moments later— Plop, plop, plop. The mermaid’s eyelashes were damp, the corners…