A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 86

The room was warm, though in early spring, there wasn’t much need for it. There was a light mist on the window glass, caused by the humidity inside the house.

Nan Xue had just finished washing her hair, and her shoulder-length black hair was still dripping. A towel was draped over her thin shoulders, already soaked. Her pale face was also wet, and her lips were rosy, highlighting her particularly bright, moist black eyes, making her look exceptionally attractive.

“Did you wash your hair?” Shu Yubai asked gently.

“Yes. Smell it, it’s fragrant.” Nan Xue picked up a strand of her hair with clean fingers and placed it near Shu Yubai’s nose, a slight smile on her lips.

“Jasmine fragrance.” Shu Yubai sniffed and commented, “So light, so pleasant. Did you change your shampoo?”

“Yes.” Nan Xue nodded. “This way, when you kiss my hair, it will be even nicer.”

Shu Yubai couldn’t help but laugh. She pulled the towel from Nan Xue’s shoulder and, familiar with the routine, grabbed the hairdryer from the bedside table to dry her hair. Her fair fingers combed through the damp strands, gently touching the warm scalp.

“Sister.” Nan Xue kissed her cheek and asked, “Why did you say ‘might win an award,’ not ‘will win’? Didn’t you say the results were announced today?”

“The paintings still need to go through the review process. Today’s announcement was just about which paintings were selected to go to Beijing,” Shu Yubai patiently explained. “The next step is for the general review committee of the exhibition to select the final entries and award-winning works from the submitted paintings.”

“The awards are divided into gold, silver, bronze, and excellence categories.”

“Then, the exhibition of the award-winning and nominated works will be arranged for domestic and international tours.”

In the dim light, there was a soft halo around Shu Yubai’s gentle features. Her long hair was loose, and her rosy lips held a smile. She seemed to be in a very good mood.

Nan Xue leaned in and hugged her waist, asking, “Which painting might win an award?”

“That painting… is a portrait of you,” Shu Yubai replied.

Shu Yubai lowered her slender, fair neck, causing a strand of black hair to fall. She felt a bit embarrassed—just imagining that painting being hung in the exhibition hall, surrounded by many onlookers…

She couldn’t help but laugh and softly said, “Suddenly, I feel a bit reluctant.”

“Reluctant about what?”

“I don’t want so many people to see you.”

Shu Yubai leaned closer to her, her gentle white fingers caressing her waist, and whispered, “Everything about you should only be seen by me. Do you think I’m being selfish?”

Nan Xue lowered her head, lightly kissed her cheek, and smiled softly, turning her head to whisper in her ear, “I like your selfishness.”

The room was warm, and Shu Yubai wore a simple undershirt. Her soft, long hair was loose, and her eyes were filled with delicate ripples of water, different from usual. It seemed as if her eyes were full of a gentle smile, like sunlight shining through them.

Nan Xue lightly kissed her lips.

The curtains were drawn, and the two stood by the bed. The mirror on the dressing table reflected their intertwined silhouettes.

••••

A room filled with tender affection.

Some more time passed.

In early spring, after a rain shower, the cherry blossoms in the mountains bloomed in full. White and pink clusters densely covered the branches, creating a sea of white flowers, and the air was filled with a faint sweet fragrance.

The opening ceremony and award ceremony of the National Exhibition were held in Beijing.

In the morning, half an hour before the opening ceremony.

The entrance of the National Art Museum of China was packed with a dense crowd, almost suffocating in its tightness. The long queue twisted and turned several times, and the security guards on one side were sweating profusely as they directed the scene.

In half an hour, the China Art Award and the Beijing Art Exhibition would begin amidst a sea of eagerly waiting people.

Every year, there are tens of thousands of art exhibitions, but the National Exhibition remains the most influential and highly recognized in the industry. Countless art enthusiasts travel from far and wide just to catch a glimpse of the country’s top artworks.

In the dense crowd, there were whispers of conversation:

“This year, there are only about 500 works that made it to Beijing.”

“That’s quite a lot, but winning an award is really tough. This time, there are 9 gold awards, 14 silver, and bronze awards.”

“Yes, yes, winning a gold award at the National Exhibition is incredibly difficult. We must take a good look later; I’ve traveled a long way to get here.”

“It’s not easy for anyone, coming from so far just to see the exhibition.”

••••

All three of Shu Yubai’s paintings were exhibited.

One of them, a gold award-winning piece titled “Girl in the Reeds,” received the gold award at this year’s National Exhibition. This painting was displayed in the most prominent spot in the gallery, next to a card with the following information:

**Title:** Girl in the Reeds

**Artist:** Shu Yubai

Below it was a long string of small text, which included a description of the piece and a brief biography of the artist, along with a small photo of a woman with black hair, gentle eyes, and elegantly smiling red lips.

Under the dim lighting, she had quite the artist’s flair.

Before the visitors entered, several exhibition staff were adjusting the position of the paintings. When they saw this portrait, they gathered around, glancing at the card and then looking up at the painting, exclaiming, “So young!”

“The painting is really good—who is it of?”

“I don’t know, but it looks so familiar and really beautiful.”

“Look, the artist herself is also very beautiful, so graceful!”

“This is what an artist looks like, haha.”

••••

Nan Xue was carrying Shu Yubai’s bag and also watching.

She leaned against the dark-colored door frame of the gallery.

Several staff members sensed something and turned around.

Their gazes froze instantly—what a beautiful person, did she just walk out of the painting?

She had black hair, not long, just shoulder-length. The weather was warm, and she wore only a white shirt with a blue satin bow at the collar, tied into a bow around her slender, graceful neck.

She wore cropped pants that showed her long legs and exposed her delicate, thin ankles. In early spring, her figure was perfectly highlighted, with a slim waist and long legs, resembling a model.

They were stunned, glancing between the painting and the person.

Oh my, it wasn’t just a resemblance; she was the person in the painting!

Just as they were thinking of asking for a photo, she disappeared without a trace.

The opening ceremony began.

The museum doors opened, and the crowd poured in like a tide, filling the place to the brim. Some journalists specializing in this field carried cameras and recording equipment, ready for exclusive interviews.

On stage, the host introduced the award-winning works one by one until they reached Shu Yubai’s: “This piece is very special. It combines traditional techniques in portraying the form and spirit of the figure with new methods, emphasizing the realistic depiction of the subject. It represents an innovative development in traditional art, providing a refreshing experience—”

As the host introduced the painting, a woman stepped onto the stage.

Thunderous applause erupted.

The audience looked up to see a young woman with a gentle, water-like temperament and an indescribable elegance in her movements ascend the stage.

Their faces showed expressions of surprise, envy, and even admiration.

Xiao Yi sat in the audience and, for a moment, felt a sense of déjà vu:

It was as if the person she used to be had returned.

Even more dazzling than before.

You Fu sat in the front row, clapping her hands and smiling with red lips when she saw her.

In an unnoticed corner, a figure quietly left.

••••

The next day.

A piece of news exploded and quickly appeared on the front pages of major media outlets: “Zhongmao Group Chairman’s Only Daughter Suspected of Being a Lesbian? 34-Second Video of Kissing on the Street Leaked.”

**************
Author’s note: Three updates~

No more updates for today.

Feeling a bit conflicted. Do you want to see how they gradually break up? It seems too painful, and I’m a bit hesitant to write it. I’m considering skipping to the part where they reconcile and using flashbacks to depict the breakup.

(Which one do you want to see?)