A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 65

The moment Shu Yubai asked the question, the air suddenly became thick with tension.

Nan Xue felt her cheeks burning with intense heat, a warmth so strong she could feel it herself.

Her heart raced wildly.

Last night…

In her memory, it was a realm of soft and delicate tenderness.

White and soft, so enticing it felt like it could melt and engulf her.

Nan Xue lowered her gaze, standing there, her pale fingertips curling slightly into her palms, her snow-white cheeks flushed with warmth. For a moment, she couldn't even bring herself to look at Shu Yubai.

Would she mind?

Although Nan Xue had been a bit tipsy last night, her behavior under the influence had seemed quite excessive.

Her drunken state had been very unbecoming.

It was excessively embarrassing.

Shu Yubai had only been teasing, but Nan Xue’s shy reaction was so endearing that Shu Yubai found it irresistibly cute.

“Come here.”

She gently patted the cushion on the sofa.

Shu Yubai used her slender pinky to brush a strand of long hair, tilting her head as she looked at Nan Xue. Her pale, gentle profile was elegant and soft, her eyes sparkling with a delicate light.

“What are you doing?”

Nan Xue raised her eyes, blinking her dark eyes.

“Applying medicine.”

Shu Yubai pointed to Nan Xue’s knee. “You hurt it yesterday, let me rub it for you.”

Nan Xue moved a bit closer, standing in front of her.

The girl had a thin blush on her face, her lowered eyes glistening with moisture, her cherry-like lips small and full.

Feeling awkward, she didn’t know where to look.

Shu Yubai looked at her and smiled, beckoning her hand. “Sit down, why are you standing?”

The room was warm, and though Nan Xue was dressed lightly, she wasn’t cold. She adjusted the collar of her bathrobe and smoothed out the soft hem of the wide fabric draped over her thighs before sitting down.

— Reserved and restrained, completely different from the girl who had seduced her last night.

Shu Yubai’s lips curved upward. She picked up a bottle of ointment from the coffee table, unscrewed the black cap, and poured a bit of the orange, spicy liquid into her palm.

They were very close, their shoulders almost touching. Nan Xue only had to move slightly to touch Shu Yubai’s body.

The room was warm, with a small crack in the window letting in a gentle breeze that made the soft curtain flutter.

“Lift your leg.”

Shu Yubai gently supported Nan Xue’s lower leg, which felt cold and soft, like fine porcelain.

“Mm.”

Nan Xue responded softly.

Shu Yubai’s palm was warm, and she recoiled slightly as if burned.

Shu Yubai placed Nan Xue’s leg on her own knee, her fingertips dipped in the orange ointment gently applying and pressing it, using a little force.

The woman’s lowered gaze was very tender, her black hair soft and fine, cascading down her waist. Her skin was smooth and warm like jade, her long eyelashes curling, and her red lips seemed to always carry a smile.

Nan Xue’s dark pupils gradually dilated and then contracted.

Did she mind?

She remembered everything clearly about last night.

How she invited Shu Yubai to bathe with her and how she was rejected, Nan Xue remembered all of it.

Some people, when drunk, forget everything by the next morning, but Nan Xue was not one of them. On the contrary, she remembered every detail, how she had been attracted, how she had kissed her… For a moment, Nan Xue even doubted if she had really been drunk that night.

Perhaps it was just that she had done something reckless fueled by the alcohol.

She especially remembered how Shu Yubai had quickly closed the bathroom door and left when she had taken off that strapless dress.

As for later, when she had uncontrollably kissed her… Nan Xue suddenly looked down and then glanced at Shu Yubai with her peripheral vision.

Shu Yubai clearly didn’t mind.

She was calm and carefree.

It was as if the ambiguity had never existed, as if she had never been kissed, as if Shu Yubai hadn’t given it any thought, and only she was restless.

It seemed that letting go truly meant being so open and unconcerned?

Shu Yubai eventually pulled herself out of her memories, unable to stop smiling. She softly asked, “Do you know you were drunk last night?”

“Mm.”

Nan Xue answered softly.

Shu Yubai looked up, her eyes glinting with a gentle light, filled with a hopeful curiosity. “Then, how much do you remember?”

Last night had exposed all her hidden desires and thoughts, leaving her with unspoken shame and embarrassment. Yet, Shu Yubai seemed not to care much about it, leaving only Nan Xue to feel anxious and uneasy.

— Perhaps Shu Yubai really had moved on from her; otherwise, she wouldn’t have rejected her in such a situation. Nan Xue realized she had been deluding herself.

Nan Xue lowered her gaze and said softly:

“I can’t remember clearly what happened last night.”

“If there was anything, don’t take it to heart.”

“Don’t take it seriously.”

“Don’t take it seriously?”

Shu Yubai looked at her, her face momentarily pale, and asked, “Don’t take it to heart?”

“Mm.”

Nan Xue gently lowered her head. “I’m sorry, it was the first time I drank that much.”

Shu Yubai was taken aback, feeling a pang of disappointment. She forced a smile and asked faintly, “Is that so?”

*****************
Translator's note: Ahhhhhhhhhh... I want to punch Nan Xue's face!!! What’s wrong with this brat's brain?! Really! Because of your stupidity, Shu Yubai might be taken by someone else. What’s wrong with you??!! Just say 'I like you'—that’s it. Ah! I’m so angry right now 💢💢💢.

To Be Continued...