A Moment Too Late (GL) - Chapter 91

The rainy night became very quiet, the car was silent. Shu Yubai gave the address, and the driver skillfully drove down the mountain road. The rain poured down, and the slope was marked by the traces of the rainwater.

“Your ex is really nice,” Shi Chu reminisced.

In front, the driver was like a sculpture, staring straight ahead and driving without a word, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. Shi Chu indeed treated him like air, without any reservations.

“Honestly, I think…”

Shi Chu was about to say something when Shu Yubai glanced at the driver and immediately covered her mouth, lowering her voice: “Don’t say it, we’re in someone else’s car.”

“Oh.”

Shi Chu leaned closer, also lowering her voice: “Is this volume okay?”

Shu Yubai nodded.

Shi Chu then whispered, “Was it you who suggested the breakup back then?”

“Yes.”

Shu Yubai recalled and sighed softly, “It was me.”

“She seemed to care about you a lot.”

Shi Chu chuckled, “I think she might still have some lingering feelings for you.”

Shu Yubai’s fingertips tightened.

Had their relationship become so light that it could only be described as “might” and “some”?

Well, it had been three years since they broke up.

Three years of separation, and anything could disappear.

Shu Yubai was a bit lost in thought. She wondered how Nan Xue had been these years. Was she still as busy as before? And the woman who had dinner with her, was she her new girlfriend?

Had she dated these years?

Did she have a boyfriend or girlfriend?

“The exhibition is tomorrow,” Shi Chu said, checking the time and asking Shu Yubai, “Shall we go early tomorrow evening?”

“That works.” Shu Yubai recalled for a moment and said, “Tomorrow evening is the opening. After the opening, we should head back.”

Indeed, it was time to go back. Shi Chu fiddled with a strand of hair on her chest and said, “I don’t know why, but it feels like a shame. Don’t you want to ask your ex for her contact information?”

Shu Yubai was stunned, her cheeks slightly red, and she gently shook her head: “No.”

“Love can disappear… and it can be transferred…” Shi Chu muttered like a mantra, glancing at her and smiling, “I think she might still remember you. If you still have any feelings for her, why not seize the opportunity?”

“I’ve been abroad for so long.”

Shu Yubai leaned against the cold car window, her soft hair draped over her profile. She was a bit lost in thought and sighed softly, explaining, “Don’t overthink it. She sent us back out of old feelings.”

True, pretending not to recognize each other when meeting would be too hurtful.

Some feelings must be preserved.

“Regretting it, huh? Leaving her to go abroad… Weren’t you afraid she’d attract a bunch of admirers in your absence?”

Shi Chu said with a pained heart, “I fancy this young lady, you have to win her over.”

Shu Yubai lowered her head, her long eyelashes fluttering. She glanced out the window, her fingertips curling silently.

The car drove along the brightly lit asphalt road.

Pedestrians with umbrellas hurried by in the street scene.

Her hair ends were slightly cool, the strand of wet hair sticking to her delicate neck. Shu Yubai pinched her slightly damp collar to let it breathe. Leaning against the car window, she wasn’t sure how many streets they had turned. The graceful figure standing in the rainy night was long gone from sight.

The car stopped by the roadside.

The driver got out, holding an umbrella. Shu Yubai and Shi Chu huddled under the umbrella, their heels clicking on the waterlogged pavement. After a while, they successfully reached the hotel entrance and went inside.

••••

The next day, the Basel Art Exhibition officially began.

This exhibition was different from those seen in art galleries or museums. It was more like a large art trading center, convenient for collectors, art critics, and agents to purchase artworks.

The booth rental was expensive, and the exhibited paintings were from well-known artists in various fields who had reached a relatively mature creative period, but whose works still needed time for validation.

The first day was the opening night.

Inside the hall, it was warm and crowded. Shu Yubai took off her coat, wearing a soft long dress, and looked around. Learning from her past experience, she applied light makeup before heading out, with a hint of subtle anticipation.

Anticipating what… she couldn’t say.

There were many people at the art exhibition, all from this field: painters, agents, and some gallery auction house owners wandering around. On the opening day, many prominent figures attended.

“After going abroad, I lost track of things,” Shi Chu said beside her, somewhat surprised. “Your ex—I thought she was a young student, but after looking into it, it turns out she’s a, uh, second-generation rich kid?”

That description wasn’t quite accurate; more precisely, she was

A second-generation rich kid whose father had passed away.

“In recent years, she’s been developing in the luxury goods sector and even opened an art auction company.”

“See, you studied painting, and she opened an auction house.”

Shi Chu analyzed, “Maybe she did it for you… Okay, okay, look at your expression, I’ll stop.”

Shu Yubai’s ears turned red from her words. They sounded nice, but she didn’t dare to indulge in such wishful thinking.

She was the one who initiated the breakup, the one who left without a word. Could she still expect the other person to hold on?

She thought that night was the last chance encounter.

Unexpectedly, she really met her again at the art exhibition.

In the lecture hall, there was a small interview.

The hall was medium-sized, with a light-colored wooden platform, a stand with a small microphone, and several small orange lights illuminating it, making it bright and warm. The host stood on the stage holding a microphone, and a PPT was projected on the screen. All the invited interviewees were painters.

“This time, we have a special invitation for the artist who painted ‘Time’ to have a conversation with the interviewer.”

//
Chapter 91

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The rainy night grew very quiet. Inside the car, it was silent as Shu Yubai gave her address, and the driver skillfully drove down the mountain road, which showed signs of being heavily washed by the rain.

“Your ex is really something, huh?” Shi Chu mused.

In the front, the driver, like a statue, drove without saying a word, trying to minimize his presence. Shi Chu treated him as if he were invisible, speaking openly.

“Honestly, I think…” Shi Chu began to say more, but Shu Yubai glanced at the driver and quickly covered her mouth, lowering her voice, “Stop it, we’re in someone else’s car.”

“Oh.” Shi Chu leaned closer and whispered, “Is this volume okay?”

Shu Yubai nodded.

Shi Chu continued softly, “Was it you who initiated the breakup back then?”

“Yes.” Shu Yubai recalled, sighing lightly, “I was the one who brought it up.”

“She seems to still care about you.”

Shi Chu laughed, “I think she might still have some lingering feelings for you.”

Shu Yubai’s fingers tightened. Was their relationship now so light that it could only be described with “might” and “some”?

After all, they had been apart for three years.

Three years without seeing each other, everything could disappear.

Shu Yubai was lost in thought, wondering how Nan Xue had spent these years. Was she still as busy as before? And… who was the woman dining with her the other night? Was she Nan Xue’s new girlfriend?

In these years, had she dated again?

Did she have a boyfriend or girlfriend now?

“Tomorrow is the exhibition,” Shi Chu checked the time and asked Shu Yubai, “Shall we go early in the evening?”

“Sounds good,” Shu Yubai reflected, “Tomorrow night is the opening, right? After the opening, it’ll be time to go back.”

Yes, it would be time to go back. Shi Chu flicked her hair and said, “For some reason, it feels like a pity. Aren’t you planning to ask your ex for her contact information?”

Shu Yubai was stunned, her cheeks flushing, and she gently shook her head, “No.”

“Love can fade… and it can transfer…” Shi Chu chanted as if casting a spell, glanced at her, and smiled, “I think she might still remember you. If you still have some feelings for her, why not act quickly?”

“I’ve been abroad for so long.”

Shu Yubai leaned against the cool car window, her soft hair cascading over her face. Lost in thought, she sighed softly, explaining, “Don’t overthink it. She sent us back out of a sense of past affection, that’s all.”

Indeed, meeting again and pretending not to know each other would be too hurtful.

One should always retain some sentiment.

“Aren’t you regretful for leaving her here and going abroad… not worried she might have been surrounded by admirers?”

Shi Chu lamented, “I like this lady; you should win her over.”

Shu Yubai lowered her head, her long eyelashes fluttering, glancing out the window. Her fingers curled silently.

The car passed by the brightly lit asphalt road.

Pedestrians with umbrellas hurried by on the street.

The ends of her hair felt cold, having gotten wet earlier. The damp strands clung to her delicate neck. Shu Yubai held the slightly damp collar, trying to catch her breath. Leaning against the car window, she lost track of how many streets they passed, and the graceful figure standing with an umbrella in the rainy night was long gone from view.

The car stopped by the roadside.

The driver got out, holding an umbrella. Shu Yubai and Shi Chu huddled under it, their heels clicking against the puddles as they made their way to the hotel entrance and went inside.

—

The next day, the Basel Art Exhibition officially began.

This exhibition was different from those seen in art galleries or museums. It was more like a large art trading center, convenient for collectors, art critics, and agents to purchase artworks.

The booth rental was expensive, and the exhibited paintings were from well-known artists in various fields who had reached a relatively mature creative period but whose works still needed time for validation.

The first day was the opening night.

Inside the hall, it was warm and crowded. Shu Yubai took off her coat, wearing a soft long dress, and looked around. Learning from her past experience, she applied light makeup before heading out, with a hint of subtle anticipation.

Anticipating what… she couldn’t say.

There were many people at the art exhibition, all from this field: painters, agents, and some gallery auction house owners wandering around. On the opening day, many prominent figures attended.

“After going abroad, I lost track of things,” Shi Chu said beside her, somewhat surprised. “Your ex—I thought she was a young student, but after looking into it, it turns out she’s a, uh, second-generation rich kid?”

That description wasn’t quite accurate; more precisely, she was

A second-generation rich kid whose father had passed away.

“In recent years, she’s been developing in the luxury goods sector and even opened an art auction company.”

“See, you studied painting, and she opened an auction house.”

Shi Chu analyzed, “Maybe she did it for you… Okay, okay, look at your expression, I’ll stop.”

Shu Yubai’s ears turned red from her words. They sounded nice, but she didn’t dare to indulge in such wishful thinking.

She was the one who initiated the breakup, the one who left without a word. Could she still expect the other person to hold on?

She thought that night was the last chance encounter.

Unexpectedly, she really met her again at the art exhibition.

In the lecture hall, there was a small interview.

The hall was medium-sized, with a light-colored wooden platform, a stand with a small microphone, and several small orange lights illuminating it, making it bright and warm. The host stood on the stage holding a microphone, and a PPT was projected on the screen. All the invited interviewees were painters.

“This time, we have a special invitation for the artist who painted ‘Time’ to have a conversation with the interviewer.”

••••

Applause rose from the audience as many eyes watched a young, elegant woman with a gentle and refined demeanor step onto the stage.

She dressed simply yet elegantly, wearing a beige long dress with a knitted cardigan draped over her smooth shoulders. Her long black hair fell softly to her waist, her skin was very fair, and her delicate features held a touch of subtle allure. She walked onto the stage quietly, gracefully captivating.

The PPT displayed a painting signed “Yubai.”

Standing on stage, Shu Yubai suddenly caught sight of a very familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.

In the distance, where the light was dim and the loud chatter felt like a tide, she was the only stillness.

Nan Xue wore a black short dress with a soft, loose woolen cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her collarbones were as white as snow, her lips were red, and there seemed to be a hidden light in her clear eyes.

For a moment, Shu Yubai froze, fearing she had seen wrong. She glanced again, quickly lowered her long eyelashes, which trembled slightly, and her heart raced.

It was really her.

For the first time, she was immensely grateful that she had carefully washed her hair and put on makeup before leaving home. She thought, fortunately.

“Now, let’s talk about your creative journey for this painting,” the host said.

Standing on the wooden platform beside the microphone, Shu Yubai gently brushed her ear-length hair with her delicate white fingers and began to speak slowly.

“…In the past, painting focused on technique, composition, and design.”

“Later, it became about emotion.”

“When my emotions align with what I want to express, I become very excited, and I can easily convey everything smoothly…”

As Shu Yubai spoke, she felt Nan Xue watching her, but she dared not look back. She kept her head down, looking at her notes, and then pretended to casually glance at the audience, acting as if she hadn’t noticed.

But she unexpectedly locked eyes with a gaze.

A deep, yet light gaze.

Shu Yubai saw another woman standing beside Nan Xue. Nan Xue nodded and spoke softly to her. She couldn’t tell their relationship, but it felt somewhat ambiguous. The woman looked older than her. Did Nan Xue really prefer mature types?

“Yubai often paints the back view of a girl, an indistinct, abstract figure.”

The host asked, “Can you tell everyone what this back view symbolizes? It has appeared many times in your paintings, and I’m sure everyone, like me, is very curious.”

Shu Yubai hesitated briefly before slowly speaking. The audience watched the young, beautiful artist standing there in her long dress, with her black hair, speaking softly, as gentle and warm as her voice.

“This image conveys a certain emotion.”

She only said one sentence, skillfully steering the conversation back to technical aspects: “I like to use large areas of color…”

It seemed the person in the distance had left.

Accompanied by that beautiful woman.

Shu Yubai felt a pang of sourness in her heart. She looked up at Nan Xue’s departing figure.

She continued talking about her creative process for a long time. Half an hour later, the interview ended to a wave of applause. Shu Yubai took a moment to compose herself and stepped off the stage. Her long hair was damp with sweat.

In the lounge, Shu Yubai got a cup of water and sipped it slowly. Shi Chu waited outside for her. After finishing the water and resting for a bit, Shu Yubai went out.

“Shu Yubai?”

Someone called her. Shu Yubai paused and turned around, seeing a familiar figure with a slender, graceful build, a bag slung over her shoulder, and curly hair. Smiling eyes looked at her silently.

Shu Yubai’s lips curved into a smile, and she asked softly, “Senior Sister? What a coincidence.”

“Long time no see.”

You Fu looked at her and said, “I heard you went abroad for your PhD.”

Shu Yubai nodded. She smiled and said, “Three years, I just got back today.”

“I just listened to your interview.”

You Fu leaned against the corridor, her eyes smiling, the ends of her curly hair resting on her collarbone. Half-jokingly, she said, “Junior Sister, you’re getting better and better.”

“No, I still have a long way to go.”

Shu Yubai lowered her head and smiled shyly, her cheeks slightly warm, feeling a bit embarrassed.

There was a slight noise nearby.

Click.

In the empty, slightly cool corridor, the sound of heels hitting the cold floor echoed like ice breaking.

Shu Yubai turned and saw Nan Xue with a small bag.

For a long time, neither spoke.

Her eyes were deep, with a touch of detachment, and her clear eyes looked very calm.

She stood idly, not moving forward. With shoulder-length black hair, snowy skin, red lips, and water droplets glistening on her collarbone, she wore a black silk short dress that was lightly seductive, with a loose jacket draped over her shoulders, her white, straight legs, and delicate straps wrapped around her ankles.

Shu Yubai was forced to meet her gaze.

One second, two seconds, neither looked away.

The temperature in Shu Yubai’s cheeks rose steadily, becoming very hot.

Nan Xue raised a slender eyebrow, turned, and left.

Shu Yubai just watched.

The hallway was lined with marble flooring, with elegant chandeliers lit overhead. There was a faint scent of incense in the air, very long-lasting. Occasionally, unfamiliar people passed by, but they were not many.

Amid the stream of people, she carried a bag, her black hair loose, her neck slender and white. Her back view exuded a hint of loneliness. Her slender, pale hands were wet, covered with water droplets that rolled off her slightly pink fingertips, one by one, falling to the floor.

Shu Yubai felt a pang of sorrow.

This time, she didn’t even bother to say hello.

Her cheeks were still hot, and when she touched them with her fingers, the heat hadn’t subsided. She wondered if her face had already turned red. Shu Yubai lowered her head to compose herself, then looked up and said to You Fu, “Senior Sister, I’m going to the restroom.”

You Fu was busy, her head down, texting someone. Without looking up, she replied, “Okay.”

Shu Yubai washed her hands with cold water, but then noticed a small, silver-glinting object on the sink next to her. She was slightly stunned and walked over to see it. It was a watch.

A silver bracelet watch with a blue face.

It was the one Nan Xue often wore.

Shu Yubai hesitated for a moment before picking it up. It felt very cold. Nan Xue hadn’t gone far. With her heart pounding, Shu Yubai walked over and gently tapped her on the shoulder.

Nan Xue turned around.

Her hair fell in a shadow over her face. She lowered her eyelashes, her eyes clear yet deep, seemingly questioning.

Shu Yubai’s heart was racing, her fingertips cold. She held the watch in her palm and said, “This is yours.”