A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 33

“Senior Sister, aren’t you cold?”

Shu Yubai glanced at You Fu, who wasn’t dressed very warmly either.

It was just a matter of borrowing her clothes.

You Fu smiled down, genuinely concerned that Shu Yubai might catch a cold. However, she had been taking care of her, knowing that Shu Yubai was the type to take things slowly, and excessive familiarity might be counterproductive.

“Hand.”

You Fu extended her hand, looking into Shu Yubai’s eyes, signaling her to check her temperature. Shu Yubai hesitated for a moment, then lifted her fingers and lightly touched them.

But her hand was immediately covered by another.

Nan Xue’s hand was warm and gentle, covering Shu Yubai’s hand and warming her icy fingertips.

Nan Xue held her hand and said softly, “So cold.”

Shu Yubai quickly withdrew her hand, as if shocked, avoiding it. Nan Xue looked slightly taken aback as the cold sensation withdrew from her palm. Shu Yubai was wearing only two thin layers, insufficient against the mountain’s chill. A gust of wind made her shiver involuntarily. She considered for a moment, then untied her hair and let it fall over her shoulders, hoping this would provide some warmth.

“Sister, wear mine.”

Nan Xue’s rabbit fur coat was actually made of coarse cotton thread, very soft. It had only a few knitted buttons in the front. She quickly undid each button and took off the coat, then walked behind Shu Yubai and gently draped it over her shoulders.

The coat carried her warmth and a faint, fresh fragrance.

It was very warm and soft.

Shu Yubai looked up in surprise to meet a pair of quiet eyes. In her eyes, there was a clear, shimmering light. Nan Xue’s delicate fingers brushed gently against her neck, bringing a tingling warmth.

Shu Yubai lowered her gaze, feeling inexplicably warm on her cheeks.

It was so obvious that even she could feel it.

But after a moment, she quickly regained her composure.

She stood up, retrieved her thermos from the black tent, which contained hot water she had brought.

She unscrewed the lid, took a sip, then put it down and returned the coat to Nan Xue. “I’m not that fragile. I just need hot water.”

“Nan Xue.”

You Fu called her name, her eyes deep with a somewhat ambiguous smile. “My cousin is calling for you.”

Nan Xue frowned, showing some impatience.

She walked over to see that You Luan had rolled up his pants and was standing barefoot in the stream, searching for small fish.

Nearby, several parents with children were also there, seemingly unaffected by the cold.

There were many stones in the river valley. The blue stones with patterns were somewhat sharp, and sand and gravel had settled at the bottom, making the water very clear and icy to the touch.

In the shade of the trees, the light was dim. You Luan turned on his phone’s flashlight to shine under the water. The river was very clear, and the light revealed small fish wagging their tails. The white light didn’t scare the fish away; instead, it made their blue tails and semi-transparent bodies even clearer.

By evening, visitors to the mountain had dwindled.

Only local villagers with children remained on the mountain. The crowds at the foot of the mountain were lively, but there were very few people who had made it to the base of the mountain. By the small river, several parents with children carried small water buckets and net bags, also fishing for small fish.

“Help me hold this, thanks.”

You Luan handed her a bottle of mineral water containing several small fish, with round heads and shiny black eyes.

They looked like little tadpoles.

You Luan climbed up the stones on the riverbank, slowly making his way out.

Nan Xue stood there, unsure whether to leave or stay.

“What kind of fish is this?”

Nan Xue leaned in to take a closer look. You Luan stepped onto the shore and also leaned in.

Nan Xue observed the fish while You Luan watched her.

She was close enough that he could see her long, dense eyelashes, her white nose, and her red lips, which were slightly moist from drinking water.

Her skin was delicate, with a slight pale translucence, like fine porcelain that glowed softly.

Perhaps it was because her wardrobe was always scented with incense, but she had a faint fragrance on her, like lavender or something else.

Such a girl generally has many suitors, so it’s normal for her to be a bit proud, right?

“How many relationships have you had?”

You Luan sat on a large rock nearby, drying his calves and the water on his pants with a tissue, then putting on his shoes.

“None.”

Nan Xue glanced at him, puzzled by his question.

“Really?” You Luan looked at her in surprise. “You must be joking.”

“Is that strange?”

Nan Xue asked, “I have a lot of things to do every day, and no time for dating.”

She also sat on the rock. You Luan glanced at her and casually recalled, “My cousin had five relationships by your age.”

Nan Xue looked at the affectionate figures of Shu Yubai and You Fu in front of her, her expression turning colder. “Five is quite a lot.”

“Do you have someone you like?”

You Luan observed her expression.

Nan Xue lowered her head, a bit of white visible among her black hair, her ears tinged with a slight red.

“Yes, I suppose.”

She glanced again towards Shu Yubai.

The woman sat on a folding stool, one hand holding the easel and the other holding a pencil, with an eraser pinched in her palm. Her long hair was slightly disheveled by the wind, but her profile remained gentle, her red lips smooth and beautiful beneath her pale skin.

She felt a soft tenderness in her heart.

Her lips curled up slightly.

“I see.” You Luan understood and wasn’t surprised.

Everyone has a crush.

“So, have you pursued them?” You Luan shook the small bottle in his hand, looking at the fish, and asked, “What did they say?”

Nan Xue shook her head. “I haven’t pursued her.”

“Haven’t pursued them? Why not?” You Luan found it amusing. “People like you who don’t take initiative deserve to be pursued by people like me.”

Nan Xue glanced at him and moved further away.

You Luan chuckled.

He was as open-minded as his sister.

If Nan Xue wasn’t interested, it didn’t matter to him. For now, he was intrigued, so he’d pursue her and, if it didn’t work out, he’d move on to someone else.

“If you like someone, you should take the initiative.”

“If you don’t, they’ll be pursued by someone else.”

“You think you’re the only one who likes her? Dream on.”

••••

From here, looking down the mountain, the distant white snow covered the verdant green pines. In the valley, there were streams and small rivers, visible only as scattered water traces from afar, like floating ribbons. As the sky darkened, it turned a deep blue. The air also began to feel chilly.

On the other side, Shu Yubai held the drawing paper and exchanged views with You Fu.

The paper depicted the twilight scene drawn by You Fu.

Layers of distant mountain peaks resembled reflections in a mirror. The sunset’s rays pierced through the treetops, making the white snow sparkle. The distant sunset contrasted sharply with the nearby tranquility, with the lines appearing smooth and powerful.

Though both You Fu and Shu Yubai’s sketches were rough, they were entirely different.

You Fu’s strokes were heavier, with rough lines like marks left by charcoal, capturing the essence of the scene.

Shu Yubai’s strokes were lighter, the drawing clean and pleasing to the eye.

“Senior Sister, your drawing is amazing.”

Shu Yubai’s eyes sparkled with unmasked admiration for the beautiful work.

You Fu had studied for four more years than her and had much deeper skills.

An outsider wouldn’t notice, but she could instantly see the difference between them.

“Yours is quite good too.”

You Fu looked and smiled lightly, “It’s very nice, I really like it.”

Her gaze towards Shu Yubai was filled with warmth and affection.

The word “like” carried a deeper meaning.

Shu Yubai’s cheeks flushed slightly as she looked into the distance.

The mountaintop was tinged red by the setting sun.

You Fu couldn’t help but rub Shu Yubai’s head again, finding her adorable.

Meanwhile, Nan Xue approached slowly.

She took Shu Yubai’s hand, gently hugging her and whispered, “Sister, it’s so cold.”

The girl seemed unaware of the subtle tension between them, abruptly ending the intimate atmosphere. She leaned lightly against Shu Yubai, wrapping her arms around her slender waist, her white chin resting on her collarbone. The white fleece brushed against Shu Yubai’s cheek, causing a slight tickle.

You Fu’s view was interrupted.

She raised an eyebrow, casting a meaningful glance at Nan Xue.

She had heard Shu Yubai mention that Nan Xue was her childhood friend, and if that was true, there shouldn’t be any doubts about their relationship.

But Nan Xue’s gaze—

The way she looked at Shu Yubai was clearly one of longing and cautious nervousness.

It seemed like she harbored some deep, hidden feelings.

“Sis! Come and take a look,” You Luan called out.

You Fu frowned as You Luan waved a small plastic bottle in front of her, showing it off like a treasure.

“There are many more in the creek.”

You Fu was reluctantly pulled by You Luan to see the fish, leaving only the two of them behind in the quiet.

Shu Yubai nearly held her breath.

The girl’s fragrance spread, like mountain cedar, a crisp cold with a subtle richness.

••••

In the past, such hugs were common between them when they weren’t at odds, but now things were different.

The warm, moist breath spread gently, causing a brief tingling sensation near her ear and making half of her body feel somewhat weak.

But Shu Yubai felt a bit stiff.

After hesitating for a moment, she pushed Nan Xue away.

Nan Xue seemed somewhat hurt. She stood there quietly, her gaze fixed on Shu Yubai’s face, showing a hint of nervousness, as if afraid to miss any subtle emotions.

“Sister, do you still like me?”