A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 1

In winter, it gets dark quickly. When Shu Yubai left the company, she noticed it had snowed, and her cheeks felt a slight chill.

As usual, she reversed the car and hit the road. The car played Nan Xue’s favorite piano piece, Chopin’s Op.9.No.2.

Everything was what Nan Xue liked: the music was her beloved piano, the incense was Japan’s ARTLAB PORTE BONHEUR, and the plain paper flowers—one white, one pink—were quietly placed in a glass bottle.

In reality, Shu Yubai hated the car’s incense, as it made her feel nauseous. But since Nan Xue liked it, she pretended to like it too.

Nan Xue’s workplace was far from hers. During rush hour, the traffic was heavily congested. Taking the subway would be much more convenient than driving.

But Nan Xue said the subway was too crowded, with no seats available, which was exhausting.

So Shu Yubai said, “I’ll pick you up from now on. It’s on the way anyway.”

How could it be on the way?

Shu Yubai smiled inwardly.

She didn’t know how long these days would continue; she was getting a bit tired.

Ending it? She couldn’t bear the thought.

The car parked steadily at the company entrance, and her phone rang. Connecting to Bluetooth, Nan Xue’s voice echoed in the empty car.

“I have another meeting. Wait for me.”

Her tone was matter-of-fact.

But her voice was so pleasant, like crushed ice—cool and clear.

Just hearing her voice, Shu Yubai had no thoughts of complaining.

There was even a faint flutter of excitement in her heart.

They had known each other for seven years now.

For seven years, she had guarded a straight woman, always thinking the other would eventually come around. But after seven years, nothing had happened between them. Occasionally, Shu Yubai would jokingly kiss her cheek, and Nan Xue would show no signs of shyness, just acting as if it was normal.    (TN: 🥲)

—They were good friends, so what’s a kiss on the cheek? How normal.

Nan Xue, such a beautiful person, had never dated a boyfriend. Why couldn’t she be like her—bent?

Shu Yubai rested her head on the steering wheel for a while, thinking she should be arriving soon, then lifted her head and looked at her face in the rearview mirror.

It had become a habit to pay attention to her appearance whenever she saw Nan Xue.

She wore a camel-colored turtleneck sweater, her fair, soft chin nestled in a chunky-knit scarf. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, her doe-like eyes gentle and lively. Her lip color leaned towards a warm orange, giving a warm feeling. Even in winter, her lips were glossy and beautiful, soft and charming.

She picked up the thermos, took a sip of hot water, and before she could swallow it, she saw someone in a white down jacket walking towards her through the snow.

Nan Xue had a tall, slender figure. The puffy down jacket paired with a thick winter skirt made her legs appear incredibly long and straight, her perfect proportions like a girl straight out of a comic. Her shoulder-length short hair, as dark as ebony, contrasted with her snow-white cheeks. The blue scarf loosely wrapped around her neck, her expression indifferent, giving off a cold vibe.

Shu Yubai opened the car door, opened the umbrella, and went to meet her.

She hadn’t fully extended her smile when she saw a tall man walk up to Nan Xue, slightly bow his head, and hand her a bag. Surprisingly, Nan Xue didn’t refuse; she naturally took it and even smiled at him.

Shu Yubai stopped in her tracks.

After a while, Nan Xue’s conversation with the man ended.

“Are you cold?” Shu Yubai walked up with a smile, holding her hand, which was soft and cold.

“Not really.” Nan Xue smiled at her, her lips the color of cherries, looking very kissable.

Shu Yubai glanced at the bag in her hand and softly asked, “What’s that?”

“Dumplings,” Nan Xue said quietly. “We’ll cook them when we get back, no need to make dinner.”

“That guy just now gave them to you?” Shu Yubai asked.

“Mm.”

“Who is he?”

“A colleague.”

Shu Yubai was silent for a moment, then smiled and asked, “Just an ordinary colleague?”

Her tone betrayed her, becoming a bit sharp and uncontrolled.

Nan Xue glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, and gently said, “He’s pursuing me.”

Shu Yubai responded with an “oh,” and said, “If you think he’s good, accept him.”

Then she turned around and got into the car without saying another word.

The piano music still played in the car, the piece Nan Xue had once said she liked. The tinkling sound reminded Shu Yubai of the girl sitting in front of the piano years ago saying, “My favorite is the nocturne; I only play it for you.”

I only play it for you.

Because of this one sentence, Shu Yubai had deluded herself for so many years.

“Why is it this piece again?” Nan Xue frowned impatiently as she got into the car. “Change it, I’m tired of hearing it.”

Shu Yubai ignored her.

The atmosphere in the car became awkward for a moment.

“What’s wrong with you?” Nan Xue seemed confused.

Shu Yubai turned her head to look at the slowly falling snow outside. The traffic light turned green, and she stepped on the gas.

“Do you know what today is?” Shu Yubai suddenly asked.

“What day?” Nan Xue replied.

“It’s my birthday.” Shu Yubai smiled, but her laughter had an inexplicable hint of sadness.

“Sorry, I forgot.” Nan Xue looked at her, relieved, thinking it was just about that. She didn’t see why it was worth getting upset over.

She smiled and said, “What gift do you want? I’ll buy it for you.”

Shu Yubai shook her head and simply said, “I’ve changed jobs and need to move.”

“Hmm?” Nan Xue asked in confusion, “Where are we moving to?”

After graduation, the two had always lived together. Nan Xue thought they would continue to be roommates and good friends.

“It’s not ‘we,’ it’s ‘me,'” Shu Yubai said. “I’m not working in Beijing anymore. I’m being transferred to Shenzhen.”

“You’re going to Shenzhen?”

Nan Xue’s eyes widened in bewilderment.

“Yes.”

Shu Yubai felt a bit reluctant. Was it really over?

“Then I’ll go too.” Nan Xue turned to look at her, eyes sparkling. “I’ll go wherever you go; that was the promise.”

“It’s not convenient.”

“Why not?”

“Don’t you have a boyfriend now? Why would you still live with me?” Shu Yubai said with a smile.

Nan Xue defended herself, “He’s just pursuing me; I didn’t agree.”

“But you will, sooner or later.”

“…”

Nan Xue finally seemed to realize something, looking at Shu Yubai nervously.

Shu Yubai looked at her quietly and said half-jokingly, “I’m going to have a girlfriend. A serious relationship. It’s impossible to continue living with you.”

Nan Xue’s face instantly froze.

After a while, she stared into Shu Yubai’s eyes and softly asked, “Who is it?”

“You don’t know her.”

The piano music in the car had turned into a jazz piece, with a lazy singing voice, intermittent, making the silence even more stifling.

They soon arrived home. Shu Yubai parked the car and opened the door, a gust of cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushed into the car. Nan Xue pulled up her scarf to cover her nose and got out, looking at Shu Yubai like a child.

Shu Yubai said, “Go cook the dumplings yourself; I’m not eating at home.”

Nan Xue grabbed her sleeve.

“Where are you going?” she asked sullenly.

Shu Yubai turned her head, a self-mocking smile in her eyes.

“On a date.”

After saying this, Shu Yubai got back into the car, closed the door, and drove away decisively.

In the deepening night, Shu Yubai looked out through the dark car window. Nan Xue was still standing there, alone, without an umbrella, her thin shoulders covered in a layer of snow, looking somewhat pitiful.

T/N: You can buy this book directly from me. It’s complete, and you can set up payment first before I send the soft copy to your email. Just message me here: https://www.instagram.com/aner0.8?igsh=MXBkOGdpeDlwa2I4cQ==