Against the Algorithm

Chapter 15: Undone by the Smallest Things

Summary: What starts as harmless teasing spirals into chaos when Tong Yao pulls the one card none of them expected—and wins. But laughter fades quickly as reality steps in, and a routine team check-up turns into something far more personal. Quiet truths surface, comfort is redefined, and Lu Sicheng is forced to confront more than just the consequences of habit. Because some battles aren't fought on stage, and some victories start with knowing when you've let someone down—and what you're willing to do to fix it.

Notes:

Author's Note: Medical Checkups can Suck

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

Chapter Fifteen

The moment Sicheng and Yao stepped back into the ZGDX base, it was blatantly obvious they had been expected.

The team was already gathered in the common area—not scattered, not distracted, but waiting, like wolves circling the edge of a scent trail. Their gazes snapped toward the door the second it opened, and from the looks of mild anticipation and barely suppressed smirks, Yao didn't even need to hear the first words to know—they had questions.

Ming, ever the one to cut straight through pretense, leaned forward slightly in his seat, his arms resting on his knees, his sharp eyes scanning over both of them before he spoke in that deceptively calm tone. "So? How did it go?"

Lao K, draped casually against the couch, let his smirk curl into something more amused as he added, "Yeah, we all know how those board meetings can get. Anything we should know? Anyone still standing?"

Pang, halfway through crunching on a snack, looked up without missing a beat, his tone dry and perfectly Pang. "Did they survive Yao's existence, or did she accidentally overthrow the entire power structure of ZGDX?"

Yao, still clutching her notepad to her chest, looked mildly exhausted, her steps slower than usual and her face still slightly pink from the tail-end of the elevator interrogation. But before she could even begin to answer, Rui—who had been watching her like a hawk the moment she stepped in—was already on the move.

His eyes narrowed, expression shifting into something immediately protective, his arms crossing and sleeves pulling taut as he took a half-step forward like he was preparing for war.

"You're flushed."

"I—" Yao blinked, startled by the sudden diagnosis.

"Do I need to march down there and give them a piece of my mind?" Rui's voice dropped, no longer Manager Mode but full-on Overbearing Mother Hen, as his brows knit together in growing irritation.

Before Yao could even stammer out a response, Sicheng stepped in, clearly having waited for this exact moment. With a snort that was far too pleased with itself, he tossed his keys lazily onto the counter and leaned one hip against the edge. His tone was dry, but entirely too amused. "The entire goddamn board?" he said, eyes gleaming faintly as he looked at them over his shoulder. "Utterly in love. Smitten. Completely taken with our Data Analyst."

The room detonated.

Lao Mao choked mid-sip of his drink, slapping a hand to his chest as he gaped at them both.

Pang blinked once—just once—before he let out a bark of laughter, nearly dropping his snack bag. "Oh, you're kidding me."

Yue, who had been lazily draped across the back of the couch like a smug housecat, sat up with purpose, a grin already curling on his face. "Oh, this is gonna be good."