A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 78

“Who?”

Cold air rushed in from outside the window, the sound of the wind carrying a hint of chill. It was very cold, desolate, and slightly chilly, with a hint of icy moisture.

Nan Xue turned off the water and listened carefully. She was familiar with the sounds of the people in her home, and she could usually tell who it was just by the sound of their footsteps.

This person’s footsteps were very light, as if they were afraid of disturbing someone, cautious and careful.

Nan Xue felt slightly relieved.

It was Aunt Zhang coming up.

She opened the bathroom door.

“Aunt Zhang?” Nan Xue leaned against the door, walked over, and quickly closed Shu Yubai’s room door, then looked towards Aunt Zhang.

The staircase spiraled upwards, made of old elm wood, hollow. From here, looking down, besides Aunt Zhang, there was a shadowy figure on the stairs, accompanied by a suppressed cough.

That person raised their head and glanced at her.

The next second, Nan Xue’s face turned pale.

There was another person behind Aunt Zhang, standing at the second-floor stairway for an unknown amount of time, wearing a gray, somewhat worn-out coat, with gray hair.

It was her father.

“Sir came back early.”

Aunt Zhang smiled at her and said softly, “Since there are many people here tonight, I came up to ask what you want for dinner. I’ll ask the cook to prepare it.”

Nan Mingzhu was standing downstairs, seemingly having just rushed back, looking a bit travel-worn. He hadn’t taken off his gray suit jacket, and he looked a bit tired, leaning against the second-floor railing to rest.

Nan Xue spoke to Aunt Zhang while he listened.

Silent, without saying a word.

“Just make something simple,” Nan Xue said softly. “Nothing too complicated, just like usual.”

Aunt Zhang noted it down and asked, “And what about sir? What does he want to eat?”

Nan Mingzhu coughed, his voice hoarse, and said, “Make some soup to stop the coughing. I seem to have caught a cold.”

“Alright.”

She turned and went downstairs.

“Dad, why did you come back early?”

Nan Xue didn’t know how long he had been standing there, nor if he had heard anything. Her back was tense, preparing for the worst, even thinking that if he found out, she might as well take this opportunity to come out to him.

Nan Mingzhu coughed, turned to the bathroom to spit, rinsed with cold water for a while, then turned back. He shook his head and said, “I wasn’t feeling well, got a headache from the wind, caught a cold.”

Nan Xue responded with an “Oh,” observing his expression discreetly.

It was very plain, just like usual.

But he looked somewhat tired.

Nan Mingzhu glanced at her and asked, “Why is the door closed?”

He stood up and started walking upstairs.

His steps were steady, and with each step, the wooden stairs made a slight creaking sound. Nan Xue’s heart pounded as her pale fingers gripped the door handle tightly.

Shu Yubai was still inside.

Was she still in bed or already up?

Many thoughts crossed Nan Xue’s mind, her fingertips cold and a faint sweat forming on her back.

“Is someone inside?”

Nan Mingzhu stood in front of the door, giving her a meaningful look, his expression slightly serious. He asked, “Did you bring a friend home? Male or female? Why didn’t you tell Dad?”

Nan Xue’s fingertips were icy cold, her heart racing. She didn’t know what to say. Did he figure it out?

Maybe she should just admit it.

Yes, there was nothing to hide; she was indeed with Shu Yubai.

Nan Xue closed her eyes briefly, then looked up, her heart pounding wildly. She said, “Dad, actually, I…”

The next second, there was a click from inside. Shu Yubai turned the door handle and knocked lightly, saying, “Nan Xue?”

Nan Xue’s heart skipped a beat. She released her grip and took a step back.

With another click, Shu Yubai opened the bedroom door from inside and stood there, looking at Nan Mingzhu. She was already dressed, still wearing a thick down jacket, her expression normal, showing no signs of anything unusual.

She politely said, “Hello, Uncle.”

Nan Mingzhu paused slightly.

He looked at Nan Xue, then at Shu Yubai.

For a moment, the air was tense and silent, with only the sound of the wind outside. Shu Yubai’s fingertips pressed tightly into her palms, not daring to meet his eyes.

She felt a keen scrutiny, as if he had seen through her thoughts, noticing her feelings for Nan Xue that went beyond friendship with just one glance, seeing right through her.

She could even sense a subtle rejection.

It was ever-present.

But Nan Mingzhu smiled.

He walked over and ruffled Nan Xue’s hair with a bit too much force. Instantly, he seemed to relax, showing no signs of anger or a cold demeanor. What did he mean by this?

“Xiao Shu is here, why are you hiding her? Do you think I’d scold you? You brought a guest and locked her in the bedroom?”

Nan Mingzhu recalled the ring he saw last time and thought she had secretly started dating and brought a boyfriend home without his approval. He was fuming, ready to reprimand the rascal inside. But to his surprise, it was Shu Yubai who came out.

He suspiciously looked at the two of them for a while but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

Although Shu Yubai liked the same sex, if there was something ambiguous between her and Nan Xue, it would have happened a long time ago, not just now.

His anger dissipated quickly.

They had been childhood friends, knowing each other’s character very well. Shu Yubai hadn’t come over to play for a while, after all.

“…”

Shu Yubai looked at Nan Xue, feeling a bit uneasy, not knowing what to do.

“You two go ahead and play.”

Nan Mingzhu glanced at Nan Xue, rubbed his temples, and sighed, “I’ll go rest downstairs. I’m exhausted, and my head hurts.”

He turned and went downstairs, coughing and muttering indistinctly to Nan Xue, “Get some fruit for your sister Shu; there’s some in the fridge.”

Seeing him leave, Shu Yubai finally relaxed, leaning against the wall and breathing lightly.

••••

At night, the temperature dropped suddenly. Outside the window, it was dark with only a bit of cold light, like twinkling stars. The distant tea hills were just a dark silhouette, and there was a hint of moistness in the air, no longer the dryness of deep winter.

In a few days, it would be the spring equinox.

The light was dim.

Dinner was eaten at Nan Xue’s place, with a table full of rich yet light dishes: shrimp and snap peas, white fungus soup, steamed fish with vinegar, stir-fried pork with carrots. The flavors were slightly sweet and very mild, just the way Nan Xue liked.

“Xiao Shu, are you dating anyone?” Nan Mingzhu asked casually.

Shu Yubai’s body stiffened, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. The wind made her feel even colder. She didn’t understand what he meant by this, her heart racing wildly. After a while, she cautiously and slowly said, “Uncle, I…am.”

“Oh, not bad.” Nan Mingzhu put a piece of shrimp on Nan Xue’s plate and smiled. “Nan Xue isn’t dating anyone yet. Look at how old she is, still like a little girl who hasn’t woken up. It’s really worrying.”

Nan Xue: “…”

“You should also find someone soon; it’s about time.” Nan Mingzhu said earnestly, “Last time I introduced you to a boy, you said you didn’t like him. So tell me, what kind do you like, and I’ll introduce you to another one.”

Shu Yubai froze for a moment.

Was he implying that she should stay away from Nan Xue?

Nan Xue kept her head down, her red lips slightly parted. She took a spoonful of white fungus soup. A small goji berry floated on top, the white fungus soft and tender. She rolled it on her tongue, swallowed, and smiled gently, saying slowly, “I like someone like Sister Shu.”

Nan Mingzhu’s movements paused, his brows furrowing deeply into a ‘川’ shape. He became serious instantly, staring at Nan Xue.

Nan Xue looked up at him indifferently.

Nan Mingzhu couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking. For a moment, he even doubted his hearing and asked again, “What did you say?”

Nan Xue smiled lightly and said, “I like…”

Under the table, Shu Yubai pinched her hand hard and interrupted, “She means she likes someone older than her.”

“Really?”

Nan Mingzhu raised an eyebrow. “You like older people? Not bad, I didn’t know that.”

Nan Xue glanced at Shu Yubai, a complex look flashing in her dark eyes.

••••

To Shu Yubai, the conversation during this meal felt like a cryptic puzzle, difficult and full of uncertainties. She had to translate every word Nan Mingzhu said into multiple meanings in her mind, always feeling there was more behind his words.

She could only choose the most cautious way to respond.

After they finished eating, Nan Xue once again invited Shu Yubai to stay over.

“Sister, how about sleeping here tonight?”

Nan Xue reached to hold Shu Yubai’s hand, her actions natural.

The three of them sat at a round wooden table with a long tablecloth. Nan Mingzhu sat opposite them. Holding hands under the table seemed like nothing, but as soon as they were about to touch, Shu Yubai quickly pulled away as if burned.

Nan Xue: “…”

A hint of hurt flashed in her eyes.

“Why not? It’s just sleeping together.”

She seemed very insistent on having Shu Yubai share her room, asking again and again.

But Shu Yubai refused.

“I… still need to go back and paint. I have a deadline coming up.”

Ever since her father returned, Nan Xue had noticed a subtle change in Shu Yubai’s attitude—becoming distant, intentionally keeping a clear line, which filled her with deep unease.

The three of them sat at the table.

Aunt Zhang and the cook brought dishes from the kitchen.

Nan Mingzhu casually chatted a bit, then spent the rest of the time looking at his phone, handling work messages one after another, not paying attention to them.

Yet Shu Yubai felt that he knew everything, that he had already figured it out.

She watched Nan Mingzhu’s expression.

His attitude seemed a bit cold.

He didn’t support it.

She felt like a “bad person” leading someone’s daughter astray, a strong sense of guilt filling her. She couldn’t understand why, but at this moment, she realized she couldn’t face the man she had affectionately called “Uncle” since she was a child.

Was she wrong?

••••

In the evening, perhaps due to the cold weather, there were few pedestrians on the road, making it seem like it was already late at night. However, checking the watch revealed it was only eight o’clock, still a while before bedtime.

Shu Yubai returned to her little courtyard for painting, and Nan Xue insisted on following her. They got out of the car and walked silently on the pebble path; it was somewhat cold. The trees in the courtyard had dim lights, like fireflies, and the sound of insects chirping could be heard from the grass.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

Shu Yubai hadn’t spoken the entire way, and Nan Xue’s unease grew. She linked arms with Shu Yubai, her dark eyes reflecting the flickering lights.

“My stomach hurts a bit.”

Shu Yubai reached the end of the path, stood in front of the door, and looked down without meeting Nan Xue’s gaze. “Let’s sleep separately tonight. I don’t want to disturb you if I turn over.”

With her head lowered, she opened the door to her room. Without waiting for Nan Xue to speak, she went in and shut the door with a click, leaving Nan Xue standing outside in the cold night, stunned.

She heard a clicking sound.

The sound of the door being locked.

Panic set in. She hurried up the stone steps, her hands trembling, and her breath forming thin white mist in the night air. Standing at the door, she knocked forcefully. “Sister! Open the door.”

A voice from inside said, “My stomach hurts, let me be quiet for a while.”

“Stomachache?”

Nan Xue refused to leave, asking, “Do you have any medicine? What do you usually take for stomachaches? Should I get you some sodium bicarbonate tablets?”

“No need.” The voice inside was soft. “You go to sleep; don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

Nan Xue stood anxiously outside the door, her palm pressed against the cold door. She spoke softly, “If something’s wrong, you can tell me. Don’t lock the door.”

The commotion was a bit loud, and a plump girl came out from the next room—it was Ying Ran’s assistant. She wrapped her sleeves around herself, walked over, and frowned. “What’s wrong with Sister Yubai? Stomachache?”

“She won’t open the door.”

Nan Xue frowned.

“Really? Throwing a tantrum while being sick?”

She blinked.

The noise had disturbed others, making Shu Yubai sigh helplessly. She hadn’t expected Nan Xue to be so persistent. Not wanting to disturb others, she finally stood up and opened the door. “It’s nothing.”

Looking at Ying Ran’s assistant, she said softly, “Go rest. I’ll be fine after lying down for a bit.”

“Really?”

Ying Ran’s assistant glanced at her. Seeing her pale face, she frowned and said sympathetically, “Sister Yubai, take care of yourself. Don’t overwork with painting. Health is the most important.”

“Thank you.”

Shu Yubai replied gently. “Go back to sleep. I’m really fine.”

The assistant looked at her again, gave a few more reminders, and then turned to leave.

In the cold courtyard, on the stone steps paved with green bricks, a patch of moonlight fell. The shadow of the parasol tree swayed gently in the cold wind. Under the eaves, the dim light added to the sense of loneliness.

It was quiet outside the door.

Only the two of them remained, facing each other in silence.

Shu Yubai sighed softly, glanced at Nan Xue, and then moved to close the door.

“Wait.”

At the moment it was about to close, a pale, slender hand stopped it.

Shu Yubai looked up.

Nan Xue stood there alone, staring at her blankly. In the moonlight, her pale chin was covered in a thin layer of glaze, looking utterly helpless, like a pitiful kitten. Her beautiful eyes were filled with anxious uncertainty.

“Sister, are you okay?”

She asked tentatively.

Seeing those eyes, Shu Yubai’s heart clenched with a strong sense of guilt. She thought, What have I done?

How could you neglect her? How could you bear it?

Poor thing.

“Come in, it’s cold outside.”

Shu Yubai opened the door wider, seeing Nan Xue still standing there, staring at her blankly as if she hadn’t reacted.

Shu Yubai sighed softly, pulled her hand, gently hugged her, and placed a comforting kiss on her forehead.

Nan Xue’s eyes widened suddenly, looking completely surprised and delighted.