A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 31

Shu Yubai's painting was scheduled to be auctioned at 9:00 PM.

"Aunt Zhang?"

Nan Xue got out of bed and went downstairs, where she saw Aunt Zhang tidying up some clutter. She asked softly, "What’s your ID number?"

She lowered her voice, seemingly afraid her father might hear—he had gone to the third floor to work, and when he was working, he was completely oblivious to everything. There was no real need for Nan Xue to be so cautious. What was she up to?

"What's the matter, young lady?"

Aunt Zhang set down her broom and sat on a small stool nearby, noticing Nan Xue's anxious expression.

Usually, Nan Xue was a quiet child, even somewhat indifferent, rarely showing any urgency or emotion.

"What do you need it for?"

"I need to register an account."

Aunt Zhang didn’t understand these things but trusted that Nan Xue wouldn’t use it for anything bad, so she gave her the number.

Nan Xue entered the number on the screen, and they checked it again together. With a sigh of relief, Nan Xue went back upstairs.

"Take it slow."

Aunt Zhang watched her tall figure and smiled.

Nan Xue opened her laptop, sat down, and began typing furiously with her slender fingers, registering an account using her own ID number. She opened two identical web pages and logged into different accounts, then sat quietly waiting.

A cold breeze blew in, carrying the chill from outside, making it quite cold.

Nan Xue got up and pushed the door to the terrace shut.

Outside was an observation deck with a thin layer of circulating water, which hadn't yet frozen in the winter. Snow covered a small glass table with a few books on it, likely left by her father.

Nan Xue refocused on the screen.

The auction had started.

••••

Elsewhere.

"Mom, what’s going on?"

Shu Yubai was sitting on the living room sofa with her laptop. Her mother, who was watching TV, turned her head upon hearing the question. "What’s the matter?"

"It’s a bit strange."

Shu Yubai turned the screen towards her mother and said, "My painting shouldn't be worth this much."

She had her long hair pinned up, with a white and slender neck slightly bent as she stared at the rising numbers on the screen, full of confusion—there were two people bidding against each other.

The bidding interval was five minutes. If no new bids were placed within that time, the price would be finalized.

Initially, there were four or five people bidding, but after a while, the price was raised so high that only three bidders remained. Later, the price reached an incredible level, leaving only two bidders.

Shu Yubai furrowed her brow and asked, "What should I do? The final price is higher than my mentor’s."

"What's wrong with that?"

Li Nian looked at the numbers on the screen and said, "Could it be because you just won a silver award and people think it has investment potential?"

"That’s unlikely."

Shu Yubai sighed, thinking maybe it was just two wealthy people competing with each other.

Half an hour later, the bidding finally stopped.