A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 32

Granddaughter?

A fifty-something’s granddaughter must be at most in her teens.

How could someone so young afford to buy a painting?

Shu Yubai frowned, her gentle eyes showing a hint of confusion as she tapped on the person’s profile again.

The avatar was just a blank space, and the nickname was a dot.

The friend circle was also blank.

A teenager with such… depth?

Shu Yubai sat in the back of the taxi, watching the smoothly passing roadside scenery through the car window—snow, plane trees, and a nearby lake that hadn’t frozen yet. She turned her head, leaned against the window, and tapped back into the chat window.

If it really is a child,

Then the money should definitely be refunded.

She focused slightly and continued to ask.

Shu Yubai: [How old are you?]

On the other end, Nan Xue looked at the text on the screen.

Her delicate fingers lightly tapped a reply: [Sister, don’t worry, I’m already an adult.]

Lying is troublesome.

Once started, it has to be continuously maintained.

Shu Yubai lowered her gaze, lightly tapping the window sill with her index finger.

A child eager to buy her painting.

How mischievous. When their parents find out, they’ll probably contact her themselves.

Shu Yubai: [Okay.]

Shu Yubai: [It’s fine. If you want to return the painting another day, just contact me.]

Shu Yubai: [I have something to do, so I’ll stop chatting for now.]

She put down her phone, closed her eyes, and leaned back in the car, wanting to rest briefly.

But her phone buzzed again.

The person on the other end asked: [What’s the matter?]

Shu Yubai wasn’t cautious with the child, so she thought for a moment and replied: [I have an appointment for sketching and need to buy art supplies.]

The reply came: [Okay, Miss, go ahead and get busy.]

Sketching?

Who else could it be with?

Nan Xue curled up by the bed, with her laptop resting on her long, snow-white legs, the screen still lit. She glanced at the clock; it was already ten. Having finished most of her work, she closed the laptop, placed it on the bedside table, and quickly dialed You Luan’s number.

Nan Xue: “Has your cousin been out sketching recently?”

You Luan: “Yes, how did you know?”

Nan Xue: “How about we go together? What do you think?”

You Luan secretly laughed.

He said: “Sure, no problem.”

A minute later, You Luan sent Nan Xue the time and location for the meeting.

It was a mountain on the outskirts of the city, a half-hour drive away.

••••

The mountain road had a chilly feel, very cold, with a narrow, winding stone path. On either side were deep pine forests, with snow scattered in small patches among the trees, the branches green and weighed down with white snow.

“Why are you always tagging along with us?”

You Fu looked at Nan Xue and smiled, “Don’t be shy. Go find my brother, and you two can chat.”

Nan Xue shook her head slightly and glanced at Shu Yubai.

“Sister, how much longer until we arrive?”

After being rejected during her last confession, their relationship had been frozen for a month.

“To the mountaintop, still about ten more minutes. Don’t rush.”

Shu Yubai did not turn around or look at her.

She was carrying the easel and sketch paper, looking somewhat strained, with a thin layer of sweat visible in her long hair. You Fu was also carrying a lot of things and couldn’t free her hands. A cold breeze blew, but there was a warm, gentle airflow near her ear, making Shu Yubai’s heart tighten slightly.

Suddenly, she felt a warm, soft touch on her fingers as Nan Xue’s hand lightly brushed against hers.

“Sister, let me help you.”

The soft voice was very close to her earlobe.

Shu Yubai turned around abruptly.

Nan Xue looked at her quietly.

She was wearing a warm white rabbit fur coat, the soft white fur fluffy and her lips red. Her skin was snow-white, and her black hair was nestled in the snowy fur. Her slightly bent posture seemed to be deliberately trying to please.

“Thank you.”

Shu Yubai came back to her senses.

She maintained some distance from Nan Xue, unsure how to face her.

Not knowing how to position herself.

But Nan Xue stayed close, following Shu Yubai at a near distance, occasionally their shoulders lightly bumping.

Shu Yubai was puzzled and looked back at her.

Nan Xue’s clearly defined eyes met hers for a moment before quickly looking away.

Her earlobes felt slightly warm.

Was she still embarrassed about her confession?

Shu Yubai lowered her gaze, understanding a bit, and moved a little ahead, creating some distance while walking beside You Fu.

Nan Xue extended her hand, but after a while, Shu Yubai walked too far ahead, so she let it drop.

She really wanted to hold her hand.

There were many street vendors by the roadside, selling juice and candied fruit.

In the middle of winter, standing there, wearing thick cotton clothes, and slightly warming her hands.

You Luan ran ahead but came back a moment later, holding a small blue net bag that he had bought from an elderly vendor by the roadside.

This area was in the outskirts of the mountains. Unlike tourist spots, fishing was illegal, but using such a small net to catch small fish in the stream was usually overlooked. During holidays, many local parents brought their children here to play.

You Fu glanced at him.

As a boy, he wasn’t really interested in small fish; he was just trying to please the girl.

Nan Xue was beautiful, but unlike other girls, she was aloof and seemed completely uninterested in him.

This easily triggered his pursuit.

They walked up the mountain path, with You Luan being tall and walking quickly in front, occasionally looking back at Nan Xue.

Nan Xue was also tall, but she waited for Shu Yubai and quietly followed her.

She watched Shu Yubai chat with You Fu.

••••

After about ten minutes.

They reached the mountaintop and set up a small black camping tent. You Luan unloaded his backpack and placed it inside.

The tent had some dry food and a few bottles of mineral water.

You Fu and Shu Yubai set up their drawing boards and small stools on a slightly open area of the mountain.

The mountain wasn’t very high. There was a clear pond on top, with crystal-clear water. The stream flowed from the pond, with the sound of cold water hitting the rocks, crisp and sweet. From the chilly mountaintop, the slightly higher opposite mountain peak was still covered in snow.

The overlapping mountains presented a cold and clear scene.

Nan Xue stood there watching, with Shu Yubai drawing nearby.

It was cold in the mountains, and she wore a thin t-shirt and a beige woolen coat, the coat unbuttoned and draped over her shoulders. Her body’s curves were very distinct, and a light breeze moved her hair, giving her face a slightly cold but beautiful appearance.

You Fu sat next to her, pointing to the distant mountaintop and smiling, “Do you remember? We used to come here.”

Shu Yubai looked at her, smiling, “Yes, it was several years ago.”

Several years, and she still remembered?

Nan Xue propped her chin on one hand, her eyes fixed on the distance, her black pupils revealing no emotion.

Meanwhile, You Luan excitedly said, “Sister, want to come catch fish with us?”

He glanced at Nan Xue, as if inviting her.

You Fu looked at him and then at Nan Xue.

It seemed this girl had an unusual relationship with Shu Yubai, displaying a strange possessiveness. Right now, she just wanted to get rid of this annoying third wheel: “I’m not going. Call her to join you.”

Nan Xue ignored this and moved a small stool from the tent set up nearby, sitting next to Shu Yubai.

You Luan asked, “Are you coming?”

Nan Xue glanced at him, “You go. I’ll watch my sister paint.”

She then stared intently at Shu Yubai’s drawing paper, watching her white hands move gently, though the lines were stiff.

The sketch was done in pencil and would need refining later.

You Fu’s dark eyes focused on Nan Xue, raising an eyebrow.

Seeing that Nan Xue ignored him, You Luan looked somewhat disappointed.

That disappointment was evident to You Fu, who turned to Shu Yubai and smiled, “Look, my cousin seems quite fond of Nan Xue.”

Shu Yubai smiled slightly in response.

Nan Xue’s cold demeanor and slight distance when interacting with others often attracted some naturally warm individuals.

Unaware of the consequences, they would throw themselves forward.

Drawing was a quiet, personal activity, and the two continued making corrections with an eraser.

Nan Xue sat there, watching Shu Yubai paint with unwavering attention, while also keeping an eye on You Fu’s movements.

Fortunately, they did not have too much physical contact.

What step are they at?

Nan Xue rested her chin on her hand, watching Shu Yubai.

Have they held hands?

Probably not yet.

Nan Xue’s gaze fell on Shu Yubai’s elegant profile, her red lips that had once kissed hers.

She unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and took a big sip.

Shu Yubai sat quietly, seemingly oblivious to Nan Xue’s almost imperceptible gaze, focusing intently on her painting.

“How’s it going?”

You Fu, having nearly finished her own drawing, turned to look at Shu Yubai’s work. The sketch on the easel was a rough pencil outline: the setting sun, the chilly mountaintop, and the snowflakes on the treetops.

“Almost done,” Shu Yubai replied without looking up, continuing her work.

You Fu rested her head on her hand, the evening breeze carrying a faint floral scent, like tiny flowers—osmanthus or perhaps purple baby’s breath. She moved a little closer, watching without any pretense.

Shu Yubai had her long hair loosely tied, with a few strands falling to her shoulders, looking very gentle.

Her eyes, however, were focused on the distance as she quickly returned to her drawing.

A person deeply engrossed in their work is always particularly captivating.

You Fu smiled at her and then asked, “Are you cold?”

Shu Yubai came to her senses and gently shook her head, “I’m fine.”

The temperature at the mountaintop was lower than below, and the wind was strong. Shu Yubai’s hair at her temples was gently blown, and she shivered slightly.

You Fu reached out, intending to touch her fingertips to check her temperature.

Shu Yubai’s hand pulled back slightly; she didn’t hold on.

You Fu laughed quietly, then started unbuttoning her coat, saying, “Let me lend you this for a while; you seem quite cold.”

Shu Yubai was momentarily startled, then softly said, “Thank you.”

Her voice was delicate, slightly different from before. Nan Xue glanced at her, her eyes showing a subtle emotion.