A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 14

“What do you mean?”

In the silence, Shu Yubai sat while Nan Xue stood. Shu Yubai took small sips of water, her eyes fixed on Nan Xue through the steam rising from the cup.

Nan Xue's long eyelashes were damp.

It was quite touching.

“……”

Nan Xue didn’t respond; the words seemed to be stuck in her throat.

Shu Yubai looked at her and smiled, then got up to check the little dog’s ceramic food bowl, feeding it before heading to the kitchen. There was some clattering, followed by the sound of running water.

On this snowy night, the chill was palpable. Vehicles passed by on the quiet streets, and street lamps cast light on the window. The eaves had accumulated a thick layer of snow.

The little dog came over, playing with the hem of Nan Xue’s pants.

Nan Xue sat on the sofa, her eyes following Shu Yubai’s figure. The slender waist of the latter swayed gently, affecting Nan Xue deeply. Nan Xue rested her white fingers on her chin, thinking, Are you this gentle with others? Are you this close with others too?

With others…

Shu Yubai came out, shaking her wet hands, and happened to meet Nan Xue’s gaze.

Her eyes were clean and gentle, like the water in Jiangnan, with a unique, lingering charm. Nan Xue and she locked eyes for a moment before Nan Xue looked away. Her ears felt warm, as if she could still sense Shu Yubai’s breath.

“Want something to eat?”

Shu Yubai held a plate of green grapes, freshly washed, and held one up to Nan Xue’s lips.

Nan Xue’s clear eyes shifted to her.

Her cherry lips slightly parted, and her tongue gently brushed against Shu Yubai’s fingertips, which made Shu Yubai’s heart warm. The touch of her tongue was soft and warm.

Shu Yubai instinctively looked at Nan Xue, and their gazes met briefly.

Nan Xue suddenly stood up.

The window was ajar, letting in the wind and snow.

Her dark hair fluttered, revealing small, lustrous earlobes, as warm as red jade.

Without looking at Shu Yubai, she suddenly became distant and cold, saying, “I… I’ll go to bed now.”

••••

After resigning, there was still about a month before her official departure. Even so, the work assigned to her was less than others, so Shu Yubai had much more free time.

Resigning meant losing a stable source of income.

She had to start preparing for her next exhibition.

For a painter to become famous, participating in exhibitions was essential.

But everything seemed to be at an impasse.

She thought of Xiao Yi.

The next day, Shu Yubai checked her phone and followed the navigation to the studio.

It was a tourist area, with a lake at the foot of a snow-covered mountain, now frozen. Tourists with DSLRs were taking pictures on the wooden bridge in the middle of the lake. Black wild ducks, raised by farmers, waddled through the snow, adding some liveliness to the cold, desolate scene.

The lakeside had guesthouses covered in withered green vines.

Some were youth hostels.

Others were private villas maintained by locals.