Against the Algorithm

Chapter 15: Undone by the Smallest Things

And then there was Yao.

She had been quiet, seated off to the side with her notepad resting on her knees, her fingers absently playing with the hem of her hoodie sleeve, the motion small but revealing. Her eyes flicked up now and then as another person was called in, watching intently but saying nothing.

Until—

She turned to look at Sicheng.

He felt it before he even registered the words. That feeling —the subtle shift in atmosphere, the air getting thinner, like he was suddenly being pulled into orbit. He glanced down, and sure enough— There it was. That wide-eyed, soft, glassine Bambi look that seemed perfectly innocent and harmless, until it wasn't.

"Sicheng..." Her voice was curious, hesitant, almost too soft, and before he could brace himself, she tilted her head ever so slightly, looking up at him with that expression that shouldn't have had any power, but absolutely, categorically did. "Does this mean you're getting one done too?"

And just like that, the entire room stopped.

Pang paused mid-chew.

Lao Mao stopped mid-stretch.

Lao K actually turned his head.

Ming's hand froze over his tablet.

Yue turned so fast it was almost impressive.

Every one of them was suddenly locked in, waiting.

Because everyone knew, Lu Sicheng didn't do check-ups. He dodged them. Refused them Out-argued Rui, ignored directives, even shredded paperwork at least once, claiming it was "accidentally" mistaken for spam.

But this?

This was different.

Because she had asked. And worse? She didn't even know what she was doing. She had no idea that her wide-eyed question, voiced in all earnestness, was the one thing that Sicheng couldn't stonewall. No idea that saying no to her now—in front of the team—would mean seeing that confused, disappointed look and carrying it for the rest of the day. So he sighed. Long. Slow. Resigned. Dragged a hand down his face. "Yes. Even me."

And the room erupted.

"HOLY SHIT—she got him!" Yue exploded, slapping his knee as if he'd just watched the most satisfying scene in a drama.

"She really just—just looked at him, and he folded like that?" Pang sputtered, caught somewhere between awe and horror.

Lao Mao let out a slow whistle, shaking his head. "I think we just witnessed history."

Lao K, deadpan, muttered, "I need a record of this day. I want it framed."

Even Ming, normally so controlled, let a small smirk ghost across his face. "Incredible. She didn't even have to try."

Yao, still blinking up at Sicheng, gave a small approving nod, completely unaware of the chaos unraveling around her. "Well... that makes sense. You're part of the team as the Captain and ADC, aren't you? That means you shouldn't be left out."

Sicheng stared at her like she had just handed him a checkmate with a smile. He sighed again, muttering, "Yeah. Exactly."

Yue, nearly in tears now, collapsed back into his seat. "That's it. We're doomed. Years of fighting Rui about this and all it took was Yao looking up and asking nicely. "

Right on cue, Rui stepped in from the hallway, having clearly heard just enough to raise a brow. "Wait. He agreed?"

Yue pointed dramatically. "Yup. One look. Folded like a house of cards."