A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 61

Nan Xue walked over, seemingly wanting to unlock Shu Yubai’s phone to see what was going on, but when she reached the bedside, she hesitated.

“I was chatting with… a friend.”

Shu Yubai thought for a moment and gave a vague explanation.

A friend?

Nan Xue was skeptical, not understanding why Shu Yubai seemed so flustered.

If it was just a conversation with a regular friend, why be so nervous? Was there something in the information that she couldn’t see?

“Which friend?”

Nan Xue asked.

“Lin Lan.”

Shu Yubai answered honestly.

Lin Lan… Nan Xue suddenly remembered something, her cheeks slightly flushed, her fingertips curling slightly.

She had mentioned to Lin Lan before that she liked Shu Yubai and wanted to pursue her.

How embarrassing.

Some things, once said, become very difficult to repeat—like now, she couldn’t understand why she had confessed those things to Lin Lan in the first place.

Had Shu Yubai been chatting with her just now?

Had she… told Shu Yubai everything?

That would be too awkward.

“Let’s eat first.”

Nan Xue, her white cheeks slightly pink, walked to the window and said softly.

For a moment, she didn’t know how to face Shu Yubai.

A piece of steak with black pepper sauce was on the porcelain plate. Nan Xue carried it over and gently placed it on the small round table by the window. The lighting here was dim, so she got up and pulled back the curtains, revealing the cold, pale cityscape outside.

“Where did you get this?”

Shu Yubai got up from the bed, her black hair scattered over her slim waist. Her phone beeped a few more times; she didn’t look at the new messages from Lin Lan but stuffed the phone under her pillow before walking over at a relaxed pace.

“13th floor.”

Nan Xue sat down across from her, observing her expression and guessing what Lin Lan might have said.

She felt a bit embarrassed and tried to shift the focus, speaking softly, “Sister, is it good?”

The place mainly served seafood, but Nan Xue knew Shu Yubai didn’t eat raw food. There wasn’t much on the menu that suited her taste.

Shu Yubai picked up the knife, cut slowly, and used her fork to take a piece of the steak, feeding it to her mouth. It seemed to be freshly cooked, with a crispy exterior and tender meat inside, enhanced by the black pepper sauce, and it tasted quite good.

“It’s delicious. Thank you.”

She looked at Nan Xue, her fork holding a piece of meat, eyes full of affection, and offered it to her lips, “You should try some too.”

Nan Xue’s red lips parted slightly as she took a bite.

She lowered her head, her dark hair framing her face, her red lips glistening slightly.

The girl smiled contentedly.

••••

When the plane arrived, it was noon. Exhausted from the journey, neither of them felt like moving. Shu Yubai and Nan Xue quickly ate something in their room and went straight to sleep, catching up on their rest until the afternoon.

The hotel bed was soft. Nan Xue stirred in her sleep and woke up.

The room was dimly lit with warm-toned light.

Nan Xue, who always liked to cling to something while sleeping, had curled up next to Shu Yubai. Her slender, white legs wrapped around Shu Yubai’s waist, her head nestled in her shoulder, inhaling the woman’s scent.

As she looked up, Nan Xue was momentarily stunned.

Shu Yubai had fair, smooth skin, and her red lips were beautifully shaped, slightly moist with a warm breath.

She was still asleep.

Her long, elegant eyelashes were gently closed, and she was deeply asleep.

Nan Xue’s body grew warm.

It was very warm.

Nan Xue carefully edged closer, her heartbeat quickening like a drumbeat, pounding in her ears.

She wanted to kiss her and do something more.

Her lips lightly brushed against Shu Yubai’s, soft and incredibly inviting. Nan Xue gently extended her tongue, just a moment, the woman’s sweet, moist fragrance intensifying.

“Mm…”

Shu Yubai made a soft sound as she stirred.

Nan Xue’s body trembled.

Shu Yubai opened her eyes, saw Nan Xue, and her mind went blank for a moment. She asked, “Where are we?”

Why were they so close?

Was she dreaming?

Nan Xue hastily caught her breath, her small red lips showing suspicious water marks.

Her white ears turned a hot pink, and her thick eyelashes fluttered, her thin, cold eyelids drooping.

A hint of innocence, a touch of unease.

“…”

Shu Yubai’s fingertips lightly touched her cheek.

The cool fingertips felt like caressing delicate silk, afraid of pulling a thread.

“It’s so hot.”

Shu Yubai murmured, “You’re not coming down with a fever, are you?”

“No.”

Nan Xue took a moment to calm her breathing, lifted the corner of the blanket, got up, and walked towards the bathroom, her pale toes reaching for her slippers.

Turning the cold water to the maximum, she splashed her face, extinguishing the warmth, then lightly patted her cheeks.

That was… too embarrassing.

She had almost taken advantage of Shu Yubai.

It couldn’t happen again.

Nan Xue silently ordered herself.

She pushed down the guilt and walked out.

Outside, Shu Yubai had already changed clothes and was sitting at the mirror, using a wooden comb to brush her long hair.

“Shall we go eat?”

Shu Yubai looked back at her.

There wasn’t much to do outside; it was just staying at the hotel, sleeping, eating when waking up, and then continuing to sleep… until the competition the next morning.

••••

The sky was gradually darkening.

The restaurant was on the 13th floor, slowly revolving. Inside was a circular space, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows reflecting the tall buildings outside, like a forest, and the deep blue sky had a hint of chill.

Shu Yubai chose a window-side seat with a small round table and four chairs. From here, they looked down at the city lights coming on, the night view dazzling.

Nan Xue sat beside her.

It was six in the evening.

There weren’t many people at this time, but the seats were almost full, with only a few left. The room was warm, and Shu Yubai took off her thick outer coat, draping it over the chair and letting out a sigh.

They picked up a few items at the bar and sat down, eating slowly. There was flowing background music, gentle like a stream.

She sat by the window, with the light reflecting off her face, her features blurred, leaving just a silhouette. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, her slim waist and soft, warm figure outlined.

In the distance, You Fu had just exited the elevator and spotted them.

—And Nan Xue, who was inseparable from her.

You Fu smiled, not avoiding them, and walked over to greet them.

“What a coincidence.”

She placed her bag on the chair opposite Shu Yubai.

Indicating that she was planning to sit there.

Nan Xue glanced up, giving a neutral look.

You Fu looked at her and smirked.

A child.

Tsk.

Is she really going to stare at her like that?

She curled a strand of hair around her pinky, the silver earring swaying gently. She walked over to the bar, got a plate of grilled meat, and then, finding it insufficient, decided to get more.

In the center, there were ice-cold liquors.

As if she had a sudden thought, You Fu smiled.

“Would you like to drink?”

She asked Shu Yubai.

“I… don’t drink,” Shu Yubai shook her head, gently advising, “Senior Sister, you shouldn’t drink either. There’s a competition tomorrow.”

“What’s there to worry about?”

You Fu casually smiled, “A good night’s sleep will take care of it. Don’t worry, I have a good tolerance.”

You Fu turned around, and after a while, she returned with a bottle of red wine, placing it on the table with a clink. She also brought two transparent wine glasses from the bar. A nearby waiter helped open the wine bottle, pouring the clear, ruby-red liquid into the glasses until they were full.

At the semi-enclosed round table, You Fu happened to be sitting opposite Nan Xue. They exchanged glances but then looked away.

You Fu had a mature demeanor, her slightly curled hair framing her fair collarbone. She wore a gray Chanel-style women’s suit, a light checkered skirt, a thick woolen coat, and a fitted black undershirt.

Nan Xue held a golden spoon between her delicate fingers, stirring her red tea. She glanced at You Fu.

“Do you drink?”

You Fu asked her.

She swirled the wine in her glass with slender fingers.

Nan Xue glanced at her.

She took a sip from the white porcelain teacup, hesitated for a moment, and then quickly composed herself.

Her expression was a bit indifferent. She extended her smooth, fair hand, and gracefully accepted the glass of wine: “I do.”

“Do you?”

Shu Yubai looked at her incredulously. “You shouldn’t, you don’t even drink beer.”

Nan Xue was quiet for a moment, then explained, “I do drink.”

As if to prove her point, she picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

The red wine moistened her supple lips, leaving a slightly smoky shine. She gently pursed her lips and let her tongue lightly brush over them.

Her gaze remained clear.

“Haha.”

You Fu laughed a couple of times. Her own wine glass was already empty. Leaning back in her chair, she appeared relaxed, but there was a unique charm about her.

Nan Xue observed Shu Yubai out of the corner of her eye.

Shu Yubai was indeed watching her again, her gaze fixed with a particular meaning, as if admiring her, or as if drawn to her in an instant.

She tilted her head slightly, her black hair cascading down. The graceful curve of her fair neck moved as she finished the last sip of wine.

With a clink, the wine glass was set down on the table.

“Want some more?”

You Fu stood up, offering to pour more wine.

“Don’t drink anymore.”

Shu Yubai said, her eyes still on You Fu.

You Fu understood her intention, so she put down the bottle and stopped teasing Nan Xue.

The simple dinner ended.

••••

On winter nights, it’s even colder on this island. Opening the window, the chilly wind brought a light snowfall into the room.

Nan Xue let the wind into the room. It was too warm inside, making her feel a bit dizzy and disoriented. After a while, she leaned out the window, looking up at the snowy night sky.

The night view was beautiful.

The icy touch on her cheeks fell bit by bit, quickly melting away.

The sound of passing vehicles was cold and dry, like the wind from distant mountain peaks.

Shu Yubai was washing up in the bathroom.

There was the sound of running water.

Then the water stopped.

She turned off the bathroom light and stepped out, carefully moving, her feet wet from water dripping down from her calves, leaving a puddle on the floor. At this moment, Nan Xue heard the noise and turned around. Shu Yubai, wrapped in a snowy white bath towel, walked out from the dim light, her soft body like a clean petal covered with water droplets.

Her eyes were clear and distinct, but as she looked at Nan Xue, the light in the room seemed to shine warmly, as if the ice and snow had melted, bright and damp.

Nan Xue’s thick eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Her pale cheeks took on a hint of blush.

Shu Yubai saw the window wide open, with Nan Xue standing by it. The dark window seemed precarious, as if the light breeze might blow her away.

She was startled and said, “Come here. Close the window.”

Nan Xue obediently closed the window.

She also drew the curtains.

Nan Xue walked over and gently took Shu Yubai’s hand, leaning in and whispering in her ear, “Sister, time to sleep.”

The moment she got close, a faint scent of alcohol wafted over.

She… must be drunk?