Against the Algorithm

Chapter 10: Boundaries and Bloodlines

Was entirely Yue's fault.

Sicheng, done with watching Yao scramble away like a flustered rabbit every time she saw him, made his way toward the common area, where Yue was lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone with the relaxed energy of a man who had no idea his life was about to be made significantly worse. Without hesitation, without a word, Sicheng picked up the nearest pillow, and whacked him over the head with it.

"Ow—what the—!" Yue barely had time to react before another hit landed, this time harder.

"Lu Yue, you brought up that interview." Sicheng's voice was calm, too calm, his expression unreadable as he lifted the pillow again.

Yue, immediately realizing what this was about, let out a wheeze of laughter. "Oh, come on—"

Whack.

Yue flailed. "Okay, okay! It was funny!"

Sicheng did not care as he swung again.

Whack.

Pang, watching from across the room, leaned toward Lao K. "How long do you think this is gonna last?"

Lao K, sipping his drink, shrugged. "Depends on how much Yue keeps talking."

Whack.

Yue gasped dramatically, barely dodging the next hit as he scrambled off the couch. "Okay, okay! Look, I'm sorry! It's not my fault you basically proposed in an interview—"

Sicheng threw the pillow at his face.

It hit its mark.

Dead center.

"You—you're really gonna kill me over this—" Yue collapsed backward, wheezing with laughter.

Sicheng, deciding the pillow wasn't enough, picked up his slipper next.

Yue's eyes widened immediately. "Okay, wait—WAIT—"

Smack.

Lao Mao, watching this unfold, sighed. "Yep. He deserves it."

Ming, arms crossed, nodded thoughtfully. "Absolutely."

Meanwhile, Yao, who had been trying to avoid Sicheng, stood at the entrance of the room, frozen, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes. Her brain barely registered what she was looking at.

Sicheng.

Beating his brother.

With a slipper.

And Yue?

Dying of laughter despite being actively attacked.

She had no idea what to do with this information. But as Sicheng turned, locking eyes with her for the first time in two days, her breath hitched. And her fight-or-flight response kicked in.

Sicheng saw it happen. The exact moment she decided she was going to run again. His amber eyes narrowed. "Don't even think about it."

Yao ran anyway.

The second Yao turned on her heel, intent on escaping once more, Sicheng moved. He didn't rush. Didn't chase her in a way that would make it obvious. But he was taller, faster, and far more determined than she was. By the time Yao made it down the hall, thinking she could disappear into the analyst room, she barely had time to reach for the door handle before a warm hand caught her wrist, stopping her instantly.

Her breath hitched.

Trapped.

She swallowed hard, her pulse jumping, as she turned slightly to find Sicheng standing behind her, close enough that she could feel the weight of his presence, close enough that she knew she wasn't going to be able to just slip away again. His grip on her wrist was firm but not forceful, keeping her in place without hurting her.