A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 52

The car stopped in front of Ying Ran’s place.

Nan Xue’s phone was lit up as she glanced at the chat with Lin Lan and then opened the door to get out.

A cold breeze hit her under the night sky, and the touch on her forehead was icy. Small, still-forming snowflakes drifted gently down.

The driver handed her a black umbrella from inside the car: “Miss Nan, it’s snowing again. Here you go.”

Nan Xue shook her head: “It’s just a short walk. I’m fine.”

The driver insisted, but Nan Xue pushed it back: “You keep it.”

She tucked her sleeves and walked inside. The door opened, and as she turned, her silhouette disappeared into the corner of the white wall.

The driver glanced at her departing figure before driving away.

Lights illuminated the small courtyard. Inside, all the lights were on, and through the transparent glass windows, a figure with long hair swayed gently. With black hair, a slim waist, and a soft white profile.

Nan Xue’s eyes brightened slightly. She walked to the eaves; the door was loosely closed and opened easily.

“Sister.”

Shu Yubai turned around.

She was dressed warmly in a down jacket and felt a bit cold from the outside. The temperature had dropped, and from the window, the black land beneath the cedar trees was covered in a thin layer of white snow.

“It started snowing again?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Shu Yubai nodded and moved a small stool from the corner of the room to sit on. In front of her was an easel.

The chill from outside hadn’t fully dissipated yet. Nan Xue exhaled a breath, and white mist dispersed. Shu Yubai looked up at her under the light, dressed in a short, loose gray sweater with a thick white lamb wool coat over it, and light blue jeans.

Her eyes were bright and dark, her skin snowy white, making her red lips stand out.

Shu Yubai picked up a pencil and loosely sketched a rough outline on the canvas. Nan Xue stood there, puzzled.

“Sister, what are you doing?”

She asked.

Nan Xue was preoccupied with Lin Lan’s advice from the car, trying to figure out how to start, but felt utterly confused.

“Painting.”

After finishing the rough outline, Shu Yubai stood up, feeling a bit nervous. Her fair fingers subtly clenched.

"You could..."

She asked, but didn't finish her sentence.

"What?"

Nan Xue’s eyes brightened slightly.

"You could be my model."

"I need to submit three pieces, one of which is a portrait, and I’m missing a model."

"Ying Ran said that painting sculptures all the time isn’t suitable."

"I need to start drawing real people now, and I don’t know enough about human anatomy."

Shu Yubai finished speaking quickly, with many thoughts running through her mind:

Would Nan Xue agree? Being a model is time-consuming, requiring long periods of sitting still. On the other hand, although she only needs to submit one portrait, she would have to paint many drafts and choose the best one to submit… Does Nan Xue have that much time?