Against the Algorithm

Chapter 1: Variables and Consequences

Yue let out a low whistle again, this time genuinely impressed, while Lao K gave a skeptical huff. "A Ph.D. and gaming strategy? Who even does that?"

Ming, arms crossed, gave Yao an appraising look before glancing at Sicheng. "That's... dangerous." he muttered under his breath, though the amusement in his tone was clear.

Yao, for her part, felt the heat creep up her neck, her fingers pressing into the fabric of her sleeve as she ducked her head slightly. She had never been one to talk about her studies unless pressed, and now, under the scrutiny of some of the best players in OPL, she wished Jinyang had exercised even a fraction of restraint.

Sicheng, however, still hadn't spoken. His amber gaze remained locked onto her, something dark and calculating flickering beneath the surface, but there was no outright judgment, no disbelief, only quiet, piercing interest. "So, you're studying how to beat us?" he finally said, his voice slow, deliberate.

The question made something deep in Yao's stomach coil, but before she could stammer out a response, Jinyang, ever the menace, threw her arm around Yao's shoulders and grinned.

"She's studying how to beat everyone."

Yao immediately shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper as she muttered, "No..." Her gaze dropped, her fingers tightening around the hem of her sleeve, her face burning as she struggled to find the right words. "I just... I just want to understand the game more."

But before she could shrink further into herself, Ai Jia let out a loud, unrestrained snort, the sound carrying far too much amusement. He crossed his arms, glancing at her with a smirk before turning his attention directly to Sicheng. "I don't think ZGDX has anything to worry about," he said, his voice dripping with knowing amusement. "Considering that this one—" he tilted his head toward Yao, who was now visibly mortified, "—is using Chessman's plays and strategies for her Final Dissertation."

Yao went absolutely still, her entire face going scarlet as her nails dug into her sleeve, her heartbeat slamming against her ribs.

And then, Ai Jia—because he clearly lived for chaos—gave Sicheng a pointed look. "You know," he added, drawling out the words with exaggerated ease, "since that's the man's Gamer ID."

Silence.

A thick, weighted silence that stretched unbearably as every single person in the group processed what Ai Jia had just revealed.

Lao K let out a strangled cough, Pang's mouth parted slightly in surprise, and Yue, still standing with his arms crossed, slowly turned his head toward Sicheng, an unmistakable smirk creeping onto his face as if waiting for the inevitable reaction.

And Sicheng?

Sicheng's amber eyes, sharp and unreadable, settled on Yao with a weight so heavy she felt like it was pressing into her skin. There was no outward shift in his expression, no immediate response, but something in his gaze darkened, something calculating, something intrigued.

Yao, utterly unable to handle the intensity of it, looked away so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash, her entire body radiating heat from sheer embarrassment.

Jinyang, meanwhile, cackled, clearly reveling in the moment. "Oh, this just got so much better."

Yao had officially reached her limit. With her face burning and her entire body radiating embarrassment, she did the only thing that made sense in that moment, she backtracked, stepping away hurriedly, her voice barely above a whisper as she muttered, "Goodbye," before turning on her heel and bolting. She didn't even try to make it look graceful. She didn't care. She just darted down the road, her platinum-silver hair whipping behind her as she moved faster than anyone had probably ever seen her move, her oversized sweater sleeves flapping slightly with each hurried step. There was no chance in hell she was continuing this walk up toward Ai Jia's base. No chance in hell she was sticking around to deal with the fallout of that disastrous reveal.