A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 21

Shu Yubai finished playing her piece.

Nan Xue finally glanced at her, her eyes deep and holding emotions that Shu Yubai couldn’t quite understand.

Shu Yubai returned the pipa to the girl who had been playing it and submerged herself back into the hot spring, letting out a gentle sigh. The sound of applause and laughter filled the surroundings. Nan Xue looked at her and softly clapped as well.

In the quiet of the night, faint lights in the distance flickered like fireflies floating in the void. The sound of the spring water was sweet and ethereal, accompanied by the gentle laughter around, creating a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere.

Nan Xue was beside her, with a delicate strap tied around her snowy white neck. Her skin was extraordinarily clean, a drop of water glided down her pointed chin and fell into the hot spring. The night beyond grew hazy behind her, with snow-like moonlight highlighting her pure and beautiful presence. Her eyes were clear, seemingly untouched by any worldly dust.

Shu Yubai moved closer to her and asked, "Did you like it?"

Nan Xue looked at her, frowning slightly, and asked, "Did you play the song for Guan Jiu?"

Shu Yubai nodded, lowering her gaze to watch her reflection in the pool, swaying gently.

Nan Xue asked, "Was it for Xiao Yi or for You Fu?"

Shu Yubai shook her head and didn’t answer.

Nan Xue might have thought that Shu Yubai was being fickle, talking to Xiao Yi while thinking about You Fu.

Nan Xue looked at her, noticing her pale white cheeks with a hint of blush, her lips a bright red, and her brows slightly damp, neatly arched towards her temples. After a moment of observation, she averted her gaze.

Her temperament was naturally gentle and soft, and with the pipa, the music was easily breathtakingly beautiful.

Nan Xue had seen her play before.

But that time, it was just the two of them, in an empty classroom after school.

Shu Yubai looked at her and suddenly said, “It wasn’t played for Xiao Yi, nor for You Fu.”

Nan Xue looked over in surprise.

Their eyes met briefly before each turned away.

Under the blue twilight sky, with layers of mountains in varying depths, it looked like an ink wash painting. In the misty fog, light snow began to fall again.

Shu Yubai hugged her shoulders and sank back into the hot spring.

You Fu, on the opposite side, looked at her and said, “What piece was that? It was quite nice.”

She wore a swimsuit that accentuated her figure. Leaning slightly, she lifted a wet strand of hair from her ear and looked at Shu Yubai.

Shu Yubai lowered her head and smiled. “It’s a piece composed by an old teacher of mine. You haven’t heard it before.”

“Oh?”

You Fu raised an eyebrow, staring at Shu Yubai but did not ask further.

Her expression seemed momentarily disappointed.

Nan Xue watched them and asked, “Has she heard you play the pipa before?”

She sat on the stone steps, her long legs raised, with her snowy white reflection glowing in the clear water.

“Yes, she used to visit our dormitory often.”

She particularly liked to ask Shu Yubai to play the wooden pipa leaning against the bed, saying she enjoyed listening to it.