Oath Tree

The next day, Mo Xie and Tang Yue headed to the Judgment Hall at Lingyin Temple together.

Inside the car, the atmosphere was strangely awkward.

Mo Xie sat in the passenger seat, chin propped on his hand, quietly watching the scenery slip past the window. His thoughts had drifted elsewhere.

Tang Yue sat behind the wheel, eyes on the road as she drove.

Ever since what had happened the night before, an awkward silence had hung between them. They had spoken no more than a handful of times.

Tang Yue tapped her slender fingers against the steering wheel, a faint blush showing on her fair cheeks.

When she had last returned to Hangzhou for a break, she had left in a hurry and never had time to put away the stockings and clothes in her room.

Normally, that would not have mattered. Hardly anyone came to her home.

But last night, she had brought Mo Xie over and forgotten all about it. He had seen everything.

Oh, how embarrassing. It had completely ruined the gentle, thoughtful big-sister image she had cultivated in front of Mo Xie.

Now, even when she wanted to talk to him, she was too embarrassed to get the words out. She had no idea what to say.

Mo Xie stole a glance at Tang Yue's flushed profile. He opened his mouth, hesitated, and finally spoke.

"Um... I didn't actually see anything yesterday."

"Shut up!"

Well, she had shut him down before he could even begin. That was a little disheartening.

Still, he did not give up. He tried to reassure her.

"I think it's perfectly normal for people to have their own interests. Seeing all those stockings didn't make me think badly of you. If anything, I think you have a great sense of style. You're