A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 9

The sleeping woman had soft, supple red lips, with an elegant curve at the corners, naturally and gently turned up. Nan Xue extended her fingertip, gradually approaching, wondering what it would feel like to touch them—would it be soft and warm?

Her fingertip hovered above the lips.

Then it suddenly withdrew.

The night was silent, with only the faint sound of the dry wind outside, sweeping through the branches covered in snow.

She recalled things from her childhood.

Even though it was a long time ago, trying to remember only brought fragmented, chaotic recollections.

The cobblestone path in the alley, the rainwater dripping from the eaves, the little girl standing in the courtyard, held by an adult, with eyes full of tenderness. She seemed to have always been like that—fragrant, fair, and exuding a desire to be close to.

Nan Xue tentatively wrapped her arms around Shu Yubai’s waist, resting her chin in her hair, and closed her eyes.

They were very close, their skin touching, soon becoming damp with sweat.

The anxious, chaotic feeling gradually disappeared.

Nan Xue seemed to have finally found peace.

The night passed without dreams.

••••

“Lin Lan is coming in the morning, about something.”

In the morning, Shu Yubai sat at the dining table, scrolling through her messages while quickly eating bread.

Lin Lan was a mutual friend of theirs. They used to have a good relationship, but after graduation, she moved to a city different from Shu Yubai and Nan Xue, and the three of them had been apart for a few years. Not everyone is like Nan Xue, who clings to those she values.

“What’s she coming for?”

Nan Xue asked, licking milk from the corner of her mouth.

“She’s going abroad for further studies. It’s inconvenient to bring her dog along, so she wants to temporarily leave it here.”

Shu Yubai glanced down and quickly scrolled through the screen, seeing the flight information Lin Lan had sent her.

Southern Airlines, expected to arrive at the airport at 8:00 AM.

“I’ll pick her up later. You stay home and wait,” Shu Yubai said.

It was Saturday. Unlike Nan Xue, who had weekends off, Shu Yubai worked on Saturdays.

Shu Yubai stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder, and prepared to leave.

“Wait.”

As she was about to leave, Nan Xue stopped her, asking, “Aren’t you resigning?”

Her gaze was peculiar, as if she was anticipating something but was too reserved to say it. Shu Yubai paused, turning her face slightly and softly replied, “Yeah, I still have a month before I can officially resign.”

She wore a beige wool coat with a thin white shirt underneath. Her long hair was down, and she looked gentle and charming. Nan Xue looked at her lips, which were lightly glossed with a pale peach color, shining with a subtle glow. Her lips had looked just as beautiful last night.

Nan Xue suddenly stood up, walked over, and gently wrapped her arms around Shu Yubai’s waist.

For a moment, Shu Yubai was stunned. The faint jasmine scent from Nan Xue’s hair came close, with her lips slowly nearing Shu Yubai’s ear, her breath light and warm.

In an instant, Shu Yubai saw Nan Xue’s porcelain-white profile, her delicate nose, and moist lips.

But Nan Xue only gently adjusted the collar of Shu Yubai’s coat.

“The collar is a bit messy.”

Nan Xue looked at her with serious, bright eyes.

Shu Yubai managed a faint smile. “Thank you.”

She wasn’t sure what she was hoping for.

She turned away with a slight feeling of disappointment, closing the door with a soft click.

••••

“Xiao Shu!”

A girl from a distance waved at her. “Here! Where are you looking?”

She hurriedly dragged her suitcase towards Shu Yubai, warmly slipping beside her, holding one suitcase and a semi-transparent plastic bag. Inside the bag was a small teddy dog with wet eyes peering through the plastic panel.

“Woof.”

The dog began wagging its tail.

Shu Yubai took her bag and smiled gently. “I just saw you. Good morning.”

Lin Lan had a lively and carefree personality. She waved dismissively and said with a smile, “Hi, I’m used to it. Your eyes always go to Nan Xue.”

Shu Yubai paused, momentarily blank-faced.

Lin Lan continued, with a hint of bitterness, “I say, we’re friends, been friends for years, but look at how close you are with her. It’s too sweet.”

“…”

“And me?”

Lin Lan turned around with her suitcase and flipped her hair, “I seem like just a passerby.”

The dog in the bag started barking again. Lin Lan waved her hand, “Quiet!”

The dog quieted down and lay back down.

“Seriously, is she prettier than me or what?” Lin Lan poked Shu Yubai’s waist. “Tsk, you’re such a superficial little thing.”

Shu Yubai couldn’t help but glance at her and smiled, “Who came to pick you up? Hmm?”

“Your dog,” Shu Yubai shook the bag, holding the little teddy dog up to her. “Who’s taking care of it?”

Lin Lan: “…”

She wisely kept quiet.

••••

The car moved slowly. Shu Yubai drove skillfully, weaving through small alleys and taking shortcuts to get home quickly.

After parking, Shu Yubai sent a message to Nan Xue. After a while, the glass door downstairs was pushed open from the inside, revealing a girl wrapped in a down jacket, with a fair face and delicate features. Her gaze was still somewhat aloof, reflecting the city’s snowy scene with a hint of chill.

“Nan Xue?”

Lin Lan looked at her with no particular opinion, smiling naturally, “Oh, you’re still the same.”

Nan Xue wasn’t very talkative but wasn’t distant either. The three of them went upstairs together, and as soon as they entered the door, Lin Lan exclaimed, “No way, are you two wearing couple’s slippers?”

Lin Lan bent down, somewhat surprised. On the clean wooden floor, the plush slippers were neatly arranged: one blue and one pink, forming a complete heart when put together.

Nan Xue’s cheeks warmed slightly as she explained, “It’s not like that.”

Shu Yubai’s fingers curled up into her palm as she suddenly remembered that the slippers were her purchase.

Fortunately, Lin Lan merely clicked her tongue and said, “Alright, alright, I know you two are close.”

She took out another pair from the shoe cabinet: beige with a checkered pattern. With a mix of teasing and sighing, she said, “I’m really pitiful, being single for so many years and still having to witness you two showing off your affection.”

Nan Xue: “…”

Shu Yubai: “…”

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Nan Xue remained silent, slightly lowering her head, with a strand of black hair covering half of her face and gently resting on her collar.

Shu Yubai glanced at her, and Nan Xue’s movements subtly paused.

She was changing her shoes, seemingly torn between the blue and pink pairs.

Shu Yubai, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, “You rest first. I have to go; I still need to work later.”

“Work?”

Lin Lan looked at her in surprise, “Work? Aren’t you painting on your own?”

Shu Yubai shook her head, not wanting to elaborate on her past. She softly said, “I’m leaving. I’m in a hurry.”

Lin Lan was puzzled.

By the time she had settled her bag and suitcase, Shu Yubai had already left.

It was only then that Lin Lan realized many things had quietly changed over the years. Shu Yubai was not quite the same as before—more complex, and no longer the girl who would be happy for a long time over something trivial.

The city in winter was always particularly desolate. The snow on the streets was partially melted. Looking down from the frosted windows, the snow was marked with long tracks from car tires, extending far away.

••••

Lin Lan wandered around their apartment.

The first floor is where Shu Yubai keeps her paintings. It’s very narrow, with the paintings piled up under the wooden stairs. A small window on the opposite wall lets in good light. The second floor is a living area that’s not very wide, including the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, which are all somewhat cramped.

Lin Lan took a quick look around and couldn’t help but comment, “Why don’t you get a bigger place?”

Nan Xue, sitting on a small sofa and pouring tea for her, said, “It’s fine now.”

Lin Lan glanced back and saw Nan Xue washing tea cups, and she seemed a bit overwhelmed, saying, “No, no, leave it to me, I can’t accept this.”

Nan Xue: “…”

So she gave up and stepped aside.

Lin Lan’s small dog was let out, circling around Nan Xue with its tail wagging happily.

The dog had a peculiar trait: the more someone ignored it, the more it would try to get their attention. Nan Xue looked at it and gently scratched its head, asking, “Is this a Teddy? What’s its name?”

“His name is Xiao Hui.”

Lin Lan had a sip of hot tea, and her hands gradually warmed up, feeling quite good.

After a while, she suddenly remembered something and asked, “I have an international flight to New York tomorrow morning. Can I stay here tonight?”

She looked around, a bit puzzled, “It doesn’t seem like there are any extra beds.”

Nan Xue stood up and led her to see. Nan Xue’s bed was clean, but the quilt and pillow were missing, just the bare mattress remained. Lin Lan was confused but said nothing. When they reached Shu Yubai’s bedroom door, Lin Lan glanced in and once again exclaimed in surprise, “Wait, you two are sleeping together?”

Nan Xue: “…”

Her cheeks warmed slightly—she had naturally gotten into bed with Shu Yubai and had forgotten how strange it might look to others.

Shu Yubai’s bed had two pillows, and the quilt was messy, not yet tidied up.

Lin Lan was thoroughly confused, “What’s going on with you two?”

Nan Xue explained, “My quilt got wet, so there’s no place to sleep.”

Lin Lan felt something was off. She recalled that Shu Yubai had always hinted at some sort of orientation: for example, she had mentioned many times that she didn’t plan to get married or have children. She was beautiful, and many high-quality guys had pursued her in school, but she had always maintained a suitable distance and had never shown interest in men.

Nan Xue was similar.

Lin Lan couldn’t help but ask, “You and her… you’re not together, right?”

The phrase “together” seemed ordinary but stirred up a huge wave in Nan Xue’s heart. She suddenly looked down and reflexively said, “No, we’re just friends.”

Lin Lan looked at her skeptically and asked, “Really?”

Nan Xue replied with a simple “Mm.”

Lin Lan continued, “Then why is your face so red?”

Nan Xue instinctively touched her face, which was indeed warm.

“Hey, I’m asking,” Lin Lan stared at her, “You wouldn’t have feelings for our Xiao Shu, would you?”

Nan Xue’s pupils dilated.

“No,” she looked away nonchalantly, “How could that be?” (TN: 😮‍💨🤦🏻‍♀️)

Fearing Lin Lan might not believe her, she added:

“She already has a girlfriend, and I’m about to get married too.” (TN: You! Sigh… You will regret it)

“Oh my God, really?”

Lin Lan exclaimed in surprise, “Congratulations—”

A loud crash was heard from behind, like something had fallen down the stairs. The wooden stairs were loose, and the sound was deafening.

Nan Xue turned to see Shu Yubai standing dazedly on the stairs. The small potted plant she was holding had fallen down the stairs, and brown soil was scattered everywhere.

The potted plant appeared to be a cactus, covered in spines, and it was quite painful to touch.