Against the Algorithm

Chapter 4: Declarations and Distinctions

Summary: Three days of silent pressure, endless pestering, and growing exhaustion finally push Tong Yao back to ZGDX's doors—not just with her answer, but with the weight of every choice pressed into her shoulders.

Overprotective ZGDX!

Notes:

Author's Note: No bashing but there are consequences to ones actions or lack of actions.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Four

Three days later, the atmosphere inside the ZGDX base was unusually charged. The team had been expecting this—waiting for it, even—but when Tong Yao finally appeared at their front door, the first thing they noticed wasn't that she had come with her answer. It was how exhausted she looked. Her platinum silver hair, usually neatly brushed, was slightly messy, stray strands falling over her face as if she hadn't even bothered to fix them. Her hazel eyes, always sharp and observant despite her shy demeanor, were dulled with exhaustion, dark circles forming beneath them. She stood at the entrance, shifting on her feet, her fingers curled around the strap of her bag, looking smaller than usual.

Rui, ever the mother hen, was the first to react. "You look tired. Did you even sleep?" he said immediately, stepping forward, his tone laced with concern.

Yao sighed, long and heavy, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Not really," she admitted, voice quiet.

Lao Mao, who had been leaning against the wall, frowned. "Why not?"

Yao exhaled again, shifting the weight of her bag before muttering, "Ai Jia."

The room stilled.

Sicheng, sitting casually on the couch, had yet to move. Had yet to say anything. But his amber gaze, sharp and watchful, locked onto her in an instant.

Lao K, ever the impatient one when it concerns those he cared about, leaned forward. "What about him?"

Yao closed her eyes briefly, visibly exhausted, before murmuring, "He's been pestering me every chance he gets."

Yue, who had been casually observing, snorted. "Oh, let me guess—he's suddenly super interested in whether or not you've seen his phone?"

Yao nodded, rubbing her temple. "Every time he sees me, it's the same thing— 'Yao, have you seen my phone? Yao, I swear I left it somewhere, you wouldn't happen to know where it is, would you?' " She groaned, tilting her head back slightly. "It's exhausting."

"Persistent little bastard, isn't he?" Ming hummed in amusement.

"He's not the only one." Yao let out another long breath.

Yue blinked. "Wait. Who else?"

Yao rubbed her temple again before muttering, "Jinyang."

That got their attention.

Rui's brows shot up. "Jinyang's pestering you too?"

Yao nodded. "Ai Jia got her involved," she explained, voice strained. "She's been asking me nonstop if I really didn't see anything. Keeps telling me I should 'just be honest' with him, that it's just a phone and that I should help him find it."

Yue scoffed. "Yeah, well, she's not exactly subtle."

"Man, they're pressing you." Pang let out a low whistle.