A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 36

The first time Shu Yubai met Nan Xue, she was just a child.

Of course, Shu Yubai herself wasn’t very old at that time either.

On the slightly chilly flagstone path, beside the white walls and dark-tiled mansion, Nan Xue was the little girl from the house across the street.

The adults said that Nan Xue's family had just moved in; her parents were old friends of Shu Yubai’s family, and they had a child, younger than Shu Yubai.

Shu Yubai stood in her room, looking out through a small window. In the yard, a little girl with snowy white skin and soft hair tied into a short ponytail, with lips as red as cherries, looked around anxiously, held by an adult.

Shu Yubai ran out of the room and stood there, shyly shrinking behind the adults, looking at her with dark, moist eyes like a small animal.

Even after many years, Shu Yubai still remembered.

She lowered her head and smiled gently.

••••

A few days later, Shu Yubai continued to accompany You Fu to the studio.

The two got along very well, engaging in professional discussions and often painting together. You Fu's studio was quite messy, with many pieces of paper and paints stacked together, giving off a casual feel, much like her personality.

But when it came to her professional work, You Fu was meticulous and obsessive.

She pursued perfection almost to the point of being harsh.

Although Shu Yubai’s hand had issues, she could still manage to paint works that focused on composition and color. However, she struggled with paintings that required high sensitivity and precision. For example, she couldn't handle the meticulous detail of Song and Yuan dynasty paintings, but Western art was still within her ability.

There was a desk lamp on the table.

Surrounded by the smell of paint, with a palette in front of her, Shu Yubai was working on a piece in the style of Monet’s "Water Lilies."

There was an exhibition at the end of the month, and You Fu said she would take Shu Yubai along to see if she could help her win an award.

Exhibitions often emphasize the effect of the display, so large paintings are common. Artists frequently create portraits in life-size proportions, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Shu Yubai had painted halfway and was reluctant to stop.

But it was getting late.

“If I’m alone, I usually just sleep here,” You Fu said, glancing at her watch. “It’s ten o’clock now; should I take you home?”

“You sleep here?”

“Yes.”

Shu Yubai felt awkward asking someone else to drive her home. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “How many rooms are there?”

“Upstairs, there are two more rooms.”

Shu Yubai hesitated, feeling that either asking someone to take her home or staying over would inconvenience others.

“Maybe I should just take a taxi…”

You Fu understood and smiled: “Don’t. If you’re comfortable, you can stay here.”

Shu Yubai was not good at refusing and really wanted to continue painting. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she lowered her head: “… Thank you, Senior Sister.”