Against the Algorithm

Chapter 36: Crayfish and Favoritism

Summary: A quiet evening at the base takes an unexpected turn when a simple food request shifts the entire dynamic, revealing far more than anyone intended. What begins with indecision ends in silent realization—and no one misses who holds the Captain's attention.

Notes:

Author's Note: The Captain has his favorite and everyone knows who it is.

Chapter Thirty-Six

The sun dipped low over the ZGDX base, casting long golden shadows across the main room as the team slowly gathered—some stretched out on the couches, others sprawled on the floor, and a few scattered around with phones in hand arguing, half-heartedly and without resolution, over what to eat. Yue was making another valiant but wholly ineffective attempt to convince his older brother to agree to takeout, waving a food app in his hand and rattling off options like a man on a mission.

"Hotpot?"

"No."

"Barbecue?"

"No."

"Fine, fine, sushi then—"

"Still no."

Yue groaned dramatically, flopping back onto the couch like a man betrayed by his own blood.

Just as the debate started to circle back around in a slow spiral of indecision, the soft padding of massive paws and the heavy-footed descent of a familiar feline menace echoed down the stairs. Da Bing rounded the corner first—fluffy, large, and unapologetically regal in that way only he could be—followed closely by Yao.

She was dressed in soft, comfortable house clothes, long platinum braid trailing over her shoulder, her sleeves tugged down over her hands. Her fingers fidgeted slightly with the hem of her top as she paused at the base of the stairs, looking around at the group with quiet, curious eyes. "...Um," she began, voice barely above the noise level. "I know everyone's been really good about healthy food lately but..."

Instant silence.

Even Da Bing sat, tail curling around his haunches like he knew she had the floor.

"...can we have crayfish tonight?" she asked, eyes flicking upward shyly. "Just for a treat? I haven't had any in a while..."

Sicheng, seated with his phone balanced loosely between two fingers, slowly turned his head toward her, one brow lifting. "You want crayfish?"

Her cheeks went pink, but she nodded. "Yes."

That was all it took.

He stood, pulled out his phone, and started dialing before anyone could even comment. The room was still as they watched Lu Sicheng—legendary, unyielding, infamously blunt—rattle off a massive order: spicy, garlic, non-spicy, and lightly seasoned crayfish. Corn cobs, potatoes, lemon tea—he even asked for extra seasoning on the garlic ones, just the way she liked.

Wait—did you just—?" Yue stared like he was watching an alien invasion. "

Lao K blinked. "He didn't even hesitate."

Pang sat back, looking scandalized. "Bro. Captain didn't even ask for a group vote."

Ming, half-laughing, leaned over to Yue. "I think we've witnessed the purest form of favoritism."

Yao looked like she wanted to shrink back behind Da Bing, who blinked at the rest of them with the supreme disinterest of a creature that knew he was untouchable.