A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 60

The touch of lips was distinct, slightly warm, with a momentary rush of heat.

Shu Yubai turned around, and Nan Xue was still hugging her, very close, with her porcelain-like chin resting on her shoulder, her dark hair falling down, carrying a faint fragrance.

"What are you doing?"

Shu Yubai looked at her, their eyes meeting, her heartbeat quickening for a moment.

"Nothing. I just wanted to hug you."

Nan Xue whispered in her ear.

A staff member with a badge happened to be standing beside them, glancing ahead, and said helplessly, "Stop hugging and catch up."

During the brief moment while speaking to Nan Xue, Shu Yubai hadn't noticed that they had fallen behind a bit.

"Let go," Shu Yubai said, her cheeks slightly flushed.

She pushed Nan Xue's hands off her waist and walked a bit faster.

Nan Xue didn’t seem to mind, standing upright with her long dark hair cascading over her shoulder, still calm and composed.

You Fu passed by her, looking at Nan Xue.

Their eyes met.

The girl's thin eyelids drooped, her gaze cold. For a moment, there was a hint of hostility in her eyes that quickly disappeared.

You Fu: "..."

She raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing more.

There were still a few hours before departure. At the moment of takeoff, Shu Yubai felt a bit of nervousness—this was her first time participating in such a competition.

Not knowing what to expect, she took the opportunity to review the competition rules she had learned before.

The rules were simple.

It was similar to the art exams she had taken before, but with fewer questions on art history—only drawing was required.

First, the organizers would give the contestants a poem. The poem might be from any country, but considering the participants' language proficiency, it would be translated into English. Contestants then had to create a painting based on the content of that poem.

The form of the painting was unrestricted, and the theme was open.

However, time was limited, with only one day available.

This meant that if she wanted to do a meticulous painting that required a lot of time, it would be impossible. She would have to choose a quicker method.

Watercolors?

Or perhaps something like freehand painting.

Shu Yubai closed her eyes and thought about it.

Outside the porthole was a clear blue sky, with wispy clouds moving gently, quietly.

A few hours later, they arrived.

••••

The hotel was located near the subway, in the city center. After getting out of the car, the hotel had no exotic charm; it stood tall amidst the noisy streets, reflecting light through its cool blue glass facade.

It was colder up north, and the warmth from the taxi quickly dissipated. Her fingertips felt icy, and at the street corner, many people in thick coats were bustling about.

"Senior Sister, is this the hotel you booked too?" Shu Yubai asked.

Crossing a crosswalk, You Fu walked beside her, gently tugging at her sleeve: "Come over here."