A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 16

After saying that, there was an instant silence around them.

A small snowflake fell.

Then came the sound of the wind, mixed with cold, the cedar forest rustling, the sound of accumulated snow falling, and the snow piles hitting the ground with a thud.

Shu Yubai met Nan Xue's eyes, deep and inscrutable. Her pupils contracted, and she remained silent, tilting her head slightly to look at her closely, as if asking a question.

Their breaths turned to white mist, one after another.

Shu Yubai's heart pounded wildly, her fingertips clenched tightly, leaving a deep mark in her palm.

They stared at each other in silence.

After a moment, Nan Xue looked away and asked softly, "Have you caught a cold?"

"Maybe."

Shu Yubai felt a sense of relief, worried that if Nan Xue knew her true feelings, they wouldn't even be able to remain friends. But immediately, she was hit with a heavy sense of disappointment.

Did she really not know?

Or did she just not want to know?

Nan Xue's expression remained calm. She reached out, gently brushed the snowflakes from Shu Yubai's long hair, and then stopped holding her hand, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

Upstairs.

Xiao Yi glanced at the two of them outside the window, her eyes full of helplessness.

Why did Shu Yubai have to invest her feelings in this person? Knowing it was impossible, yet 20 years had passed in a blink of an eye.

••••

There were still more than half a month left until they left this city.

Shu Yubai gripped the steering wheel, driving in the direction of home. Outside the car window, the desolate cityscape passed by.

-"Isn't there still a month left before you leave here? Why don't you try again? If it doesn't work, then let it be."

-"If you fail, just go far away."

She remembered Xiao Yi's words.

In the rearview mirror, she saw Nan Xue's eyes, cold and indifferent.

Her short, fine hair rested on her shoulders, and her slender white hand propped up her chin as she looked out the window, her expression unclear.

This area was originally a scenic spot. On weekends, during peak traffic hours, it was very congested. After passing a narrow asphalt road, the traffic was at a standstill. During this gap, people were handing out flyers in the traffic.

"Newly opened sea view apartments, down payment as low as—"

A flyer was tucked under the windshield wiper.

"Pension insurance—"

Another flyer.

"Newly opened hot spring hotel—"

The last flyer was directly handed in through the half-open car window.

The person handing out flyers was an old lady, stooped and skinny. Shu Yubai felt a pang of sympathy and took the flyer, saying thank you.

She glanced at the flyer. The hot spring hotel's address was not far away.

She looked at Nan Xue in the back seat again. Her eyelashes were half-lowered as she looked out the window, lost in thought.