Against the Algorithm

Chapter 36: Crayfish and Favoritism

Da Bing, however, was entirely unimpressed.

The massive fluff of white Siberian fur had spent the first half of the movie lounging comfortably behind Yao, occasionally flicking his tail or rolling over with a sleepy grumble. But now, at the halfway mark, the fluffy beast had stirred—eyes narrowed, movements slow and deliberate as he rose to his full, regal height. He padded silently across the rug like a judgmental ghost, and came to a deliberate stop directly in front of Yue.

The substitute Midlaner blinked, halfway through shoveling popcorn into his mouth with one hand while holding the remote in the other, eyes still glued to the screen.

Da Bing didn't blink.

Didn't move.

Didn't even flick his tail.

He just stared.

Yue slowly became aware of the presence, eyes drifting downward with a visible chill crawling up his spine. "...Why do I feel like I'm being hunted?" he muttered, glancing at the feline now camped directly in front of him.

Da Bing's ears twitched once. His stare dropped pointedly to Yue's plate. To the pile of beautifully peeled crayfish that remained untouched.

Yue followed the look.

Then frowned. "Okay, rude."

Da Bing took a single, commanding step forward.

Yue looked around, flailing slightly. "Can someone tell His Royal Fluff that these are mine ?"

Pang, not looking away from the screen, snorted. "He doesn't care. You didn't finish them."

Lao Mao grinned. "You know the rules, bro. If you don't eat it fast enough, it's up for negotiation."

Yao, curled beside Sicheng on the couch with her legs tucked under her, peeked over with a faint smile. "He's very good at negotiations. Especially food-based ones."

Yue groaned dramatically. "Tiny Boss Bunny, control your cat."

Da Bing lifted one paw and tapped Yue's plate.

Once.

Firmly.

Everyone in the room stifled laughter.

Sicheng smirked, arm draped behind Yao as he leaned just enough to murmur in her ear, "You're lucky. Even your cat enforces justice."

Yao, still fighting a smile, just reached down and gave Da Bing a light pat on the head.

"Fine. Just—don't scratch me again, you furry menace." Yue sighed in defeat, holding the plate up.

Da Bing took the offering with all the dignity of a royal claiming tribute, sitting neatly beside Yue and finally, mercifully, letting the man finish watching the horror movie in peace.

...Until the next time he failed to finish his food.

As the final act of the horror movie played on, casting flashes of light and soft gasps around the living room, Yao remained perfectly still, curled into Sicheng's side. Her breathing was soft and even, lashes fanned against her cheeks, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. It had been quiet for a while now, her hand relaxed where it had once gripped the edge of his sleeve, and he knew before he looked that she had fallen asleep.

About thirty minutes before the credits were even close.

Sicheng shifted slightly, glancing down, and sure enough—she was out cold, the faintest wrinkle between her brows now smooth with sleep. Carefully, with the ease born from months of familiarity and something deeper he didn't dare name aloud, he slid one arm under her knees, the other behind her back, and lifted her effortlessly from the couch.