A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 18

How certain was she that Nan Xue liked her?

After hanging up, Shu Yubai leaned against the mirror, looking at herself.

Xiao Yi called to tell her that her first love had returned to the country and seemed inclined to rekindle their relationship. How would this act unfold next?

She felt a bit weary.

Shu Yubai looked out at the distant scenery through the small window of the hotel. Snow and wind had covered the green peaks, and in a few days, the snow would be thicker. At night, the wooden house in front of the hotel lit up with car lights again. After a while, a tall woman got out of the car, her figure somewhat familiar.

Who was it?

The more Shu Yubai tried to remember, the more she couldn’t recall.

The woman brought a few companions and entered the same hotel.

The night was too deep to see clearly, only the sound of quiet outside.

The snow had stopped.

Shu Yubai opened the wooden door, under the light, the white quilt rose, Nan Xue curled up, sleeping with her back to her.

Her pale neck was sweaty, the fine hair damp, and her dark hair shone coolly under the light. Hearing Shu Yubai’s footsteps, she turned over and sat up, looking down, asking, “Are you still sleeping?”

“Are you sleepy?” Shu Yubai asked.

“I can’t sleep.”

Nan Xue rubbed her eyes with her slender fingers.

Nan Xue didn’t look at her, seemingly maintaining a deliberate distance.

What was she avoiding?

Was she afraid of having feelings for her that she couldn’t respond to?

Shu Yubai looked at her clear and indifferent face, lowering her eyes with a smile.

What could she do?

Meeting someone so stunning in youth leaves one captivated for a lifetime.

“Then let’s go.”

Shu Yubai leaned over at the bedside and softly said, “Go change clothes, and let’s soak in the hot spring.”

••••

The changing room was heated, with a fine layer of water vapor covering the walls.

The changing room here was shared with the shower room, convenient for visitors who only wanted to use the hot springs. Shu Yubai gave the swimsuit she had bought temporarily a quick rinse under the shower and then walked out of the bathroom, handing it to Nan Xue.

Nan Xue was across from her.

She pulled the curtain and started changing.

Just as Shu Yubai was about to draw the light blue curtain, a pleasant female voice rang out.

The voice had a slight huskiness, with a slightly languid tone.

“Shu Yubai?”

Shu Yubai’s fingers tightened.

She turned around, and behind her stood a tall woman in a black swimsuit, raising an eyebrow slightly as she looked at her.

It turned out to be her.

She had seen a familiar figure upstairs earlier, but it was dark, and she hadn’t recognized her.

This person was You Fu, her senior sister from the same school.

When addressing her, she always used her full name, unlike others who might call her by a nickname or in a more affectionate tone. Shu Yubai didn’t mind, as she knew it was just her personality. Besides, she was actually quite kind to her, even somewhat protective.

Back in school, You Fu and Shu Yubai were the two girls their mentor praised the most. Their artistic styles and personalities were polar opposites.

One was gentle to everyone, seemingly without a temper;
The other was aloof to everyone, very proud.

“Senior Sister?”

Shu Yubai lowered her eyes with a smile, “What a coincidence.”

Nan Xue, who was across from her, paused in changing her swimsuit.

There were a few girls behind You Fu, waiting for her, urging her continuously. She gathered her curly hair back, revealing the lines of her neck, then glanced at Shu Yubai and said, “You change first. We’ll talk later.”

Talk later?

Shu Yubai just wanted to end the conversation quickly and responded with “Okay,” then hurriedly pulled the curtain closed.

After the group left, Nan Xue opened her curtain and asked softly, “Who is she?”

The bathroom had an echo, and Shu Yubai’s voice buzzed as she recalled, “An old senior…” She reached out to hang her dry clothes, then added, “…really good at painting. She’s the You Fu I used to tell you about.”

Nan Xue fell silent.

After a while, she asked again, “Oh?”

Nan Xue paused, then asked, “Are you close?”

“Not really.”

The wet swimsuit clung uncomfortably to her body, so Shu Yubai turned on the shower, letting the warm water wash over her completely.

Now entirely wet, she felt more comfortable, better than being half dry and half wet.

She turned off the shower, picked up her small bag, and pulled back the curtain.

Nan Xue glanced at her.

Shu Yubai was soaking wet, the swimsuit clinging to her body, water dripping from her hair. She closed her eyes briefly, wiped the water off her eyelashes with her fingers, and then opened her eyes.

“I still need to store my things…why don’t you go first?”

“I’ll wait for you outside,” Nan Xue said.

••••

In the hall, an old wooden sliding door opened, and a woven lamp lit up, illuminating the darkness outside. The room had soft tatami mats, dim lighting, and a painting of a lady hanging on the wall.

Relaxing and tranquil music played, soft and melodious.

Shu Yubai walked out of the mist, wearing a two-piece swimsuit. The nude pink fabric clung tightly to her chest, showing off a v-shaped collarbone and a beautiful view at the front. Her waist was slim, her skin white and smooth, like a swimsuit model.

Graceful and elegant.

She tied up her long black hair, securing it with a hair clip, and made a knot.

Men passing by occasionally glanced at her.

Nan Xue sat there watching her.

A small wooden table, a pot of tea, a few porcelain cups.

Her swimsuit was also washed, still damp, and she had a white towel draped over her shoulders.

Her slightly wet hair gently brushed her collarbone.

“Shall we go?”

Nan Xue looked at her, “To the outdoor area.”

The two of them walked out.

The hotel roof was covered with mats woven from fine reeds, dry reeds to prevent dampness and repel insects. Now, snow had accumulated on the roof, with only the reed tips at the eaves being blown by the wind.

There was a soft, flowing sound like a stream, round and ethereal. Looking out from here, the snow on the jade-green marble had melted into patches, dazzlingly white.

The snowy night was very cold and silent.

Under the night sky, a vast expanse of whiteness stretched out, with slight vibrations as they stepped on the thick, cold, crushed snow.

Crunch

Crunch

They walked forward.

“So cold,” Shu Yubai said with a light smile, turning her head to look at Nan Xue. “But the scenery is beautiful.”

Nan Xue watched the snowflakes swirling under the streetlights and softly murmured, “It is very beautiful.”

In the night, a grove of cold pines appeared as a hazy silhouette in the dim light.

The white snow sparkled like stars.

Three children played in the snow on the road, their laughter clear and crisp.

Nan Xue smiled gently.

Her cherry-like lips lifted slightly.

She was wrapped in a thin bath towel, slender and tall. Her swimsuit was a one-piece with a sheer skirt, backless, and her two snow-white legs seemed impossibly long, her pale blue attire making her skin appear extremely fair.

Her black hair was wet, dripping water. A single droplet, crystal clear, slid down her collarbone, leaving a wet trail before slipping into the soft, white valley of her chest.

Before Nan Xue could react, Shu Yubai had already taken her hand.

Nan Xue’s body tensed slightly, becoming a bit stiff.

In that moment, Shu Yubai felt something indescribable, her fingertips touching Nan Xue’s palm, soft and warm, making her yearn for something more, like

An embrace?

But she restrained herself, doing nothing.

They walked up the path together, Nan Xue slowly relaxing.

At night, the shadows of the trees were dark and heavy, like the silhouettes in a shadow play. But the snow on the leaves and the vast whiteness of the road gave a vivid and real sense to the night.

Shu Yubai turned her face, quietly watching Nan Xue.

“What is it?”

Her eyes were soft and focused, making Nan Xue even more at a loss.

“A bit cold,” Shu Yubai said.

She, too, was wrapped only in a bath towel and shivered as the wind blew.

She wanted to ask if they could hug for warmth.

Nan Xue glanced at her and said, “Let’s walk faster.”

Then she stared straight ahead at the path, not looking at her anymore.

Soon, they arrived.

The cypress wood hot spring pool was open-air, with hot spring water flowing in from an unknown source, gathering in this outdoor pool. This place was at a slightly higher altitude, offering a night view of distant pine forests, beautiful canyons, and starry skies on clear nights.

They walked down the stone steps, slowly relaxing in the hot spring water.

A mist enveloped them.

Shu Yubai’s long hair was wet, the hair tie slipping off. She fumbled in the water for a while, then looked up. Another hand had picked it up for her. It was Nan Xue: “Here.”

The hair tie was wet, and her long hair, drenched and heavy, hung over her shoulders.

Shu Yubai turned her head and softly asked, “Can you tie it for me?”

She moved through the water, slowly stopping in front of Nan Xue.

A slight warmth touched her collarbone, a soft sensation slowly moving. Nan Xue’s fingertips gently lifted her wet hair from her collarbone to the nape of her neck. Then the touch disappeared as she gathered Shu Yubai’s long hair.

Standing close behind her, Nan Xue methodically tied her hair. The warm breath lightly brushed Shu Yubai’s cheeks. For a long moment, it seemed the only sound was each other’s light breathing.

Shu Yubai swayed slightly in the water and softly asked, “Does it look good?”

She lowered her eyes, her expression gentle, her lips a deep red like fallen plum blossoms in the misty warmth. She spoke softly and delicately.

The water was warm, her collarbone and chest glowing a gentle pink.

Her dark, soft hair, wet from the mist, clung to her forehead.

Her chest, soft and full, was covered by a thin, slightly transparent layer of fabric. Her slender waist swayed in the water, shadows revealing her rounded hips, her snow-white thighs, calves, and feet gently kicking up water.

“…”

Nan Xue’s movements halted.

Shu Yubai looked up, puzzled. “I meant the swimsuit.”

On the other side, You Fu stepped down the stone steps into the hot spring.

“Shu Yubai, she’s like… a peach.”

The woman reclined in the warm water, stretching out her arms, her pale neck arched back, looking very content.

Her friend chuckled:

“So, should we invite her to play truth or dare later?”