Against the Algorithm

Chapter 53: Keys to the Quiet

The sun was just beginning to slip beneath the skyline when they returned to the suites. The garage had finally dimmed behind them, lights powering down as the motion sensors fell still and the secured doors clicked shut. The silence left behind wasn't empty—it was full. Of laughter, of plans, of the weight of keys tucked into pockets and the knowledge that something had shifted today. And now, as they stepped back into the warmth of the hotel suite, the soft lighting casting long gold shadows across the wood floors, Yao moved instinctively toward the couch, ready to collapse.

But Lan's voice cut through the room before she even reached the cushions. "Bed," she said crisply, eyes sweeping across all three men with surgical precision. "All of you."

Yue opened his mouth to argue, only for Lan to raise one brow.

"We have an early flight," she reminded. "And I am not dealing with complaints about bloodshot eyes and sleep deprivation before your next match on Thursday or that you are too drained to train for said match."

Sicheng stretched lazily as he slipped off his jacket. "Yes, Mother."

Lan didn't even blink. "I expect doors to be closed and lights off in ten minutes."

"I thought I left the military to escape curfews..." Yue grumbled something unintelligible and shuffled toward the guest room.

"You left the military," Sheng said, stepping into the living space behind his wife, "but you didn't leave me. And since I'm footing the logistics bill for this entire weekend, you'll live with a little discipline."

"Little?" Yue muttered.

"I can still have you reassigned to the mountain unit under your Uncle's command."

"...Going to bed now."

Yao gave a small laugh behind her hand, cheeks pink from barely-contained amusement as she watched the familiar dance of the Lu household roll out in full force. It was chaos but ordered chaos. And, in some quiet way, it had begun to feel like home. She was just about to follow Sicheng toward their suite when Sheng spoke again, this time more conversational, almost casual, if you ignored how precisely planned everything was.

"Oh, and by the way," he said, adjusting the cuff of his shirt as he leaned slightly against the doorway. "I made a few calls."

Sicheng looked back, narrowing his eyes slightly. "What kind of calls?"

Sheng waved a hand. "To the Tsinghua area. Rented out a private floor at a quiet business hotel not far from campus. Large suite for the boys to share—Pang, Lao Mao, K, Yue—two bedrooms, lounge, balcony. Another suite for Lan and I, of course."

Yao blinked, eyes narrowing just slightly.

Sheng smiled, slow and pointed. "And a private suite for you and Sicheng."

She flushed. "You—"

"Don't argue," Lan added without missing a beat. "You need sleep. You'll be too keyed up the night before."

Yao muttered, "I'm always keyed up."

"Then he'll handle it," Sheng said dryly, nodding toward Sicheng. "That's why you're sharing a room."

Sicheng looked far too pleased. "Continue." he said.

"And," Sheng went on smoothly, "Jinyang, Ai Jia, Kun Hyeok, and the rest of YQCB will be housed one floor down in a shared suite with a secondary lounge and separate room access. No one's dealing with Beijing traffic at six a.m."

Yao's eyebrows lifted. "That's..."

"Necessary," Sheng interrupted. "Your dissertation defense is at nine. You need to be there by 8:45. I don't want to hear about traffic, weather delays, or excuses. You'll have your full support team within fifteen minutes of the university gates."

Lan added, "And no caffeine after nine p.m. I don't care if you think it helps."

Yue peeked around the hallway, pouting. "I better get a window seat."

Sheng didn't even glance at him. "You're lucky you're flying at all."

Yao stood frozen in the middle of the room for a moment, lips parted, overwhelmed by the sheer logistics of what they'd pulled together and the knowledge that she hadn't asked for any of it. But they'd done it anyway. Because that's what family does. Quietly. Efficiently. Completely.

"Welcome to the family, Wǔ xiān." Sicheng nudged her gently toward the hallway, his voice low at her ear.

She muttered, "I think I've been adopted without paperwork."

"You've been absorbed."

"Not the same."

"Better," he said with a smirk. "Ours now."

And as she let herself be guided toward their suite—warm, flustered, and a little in awe—she couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at her lips. Because they didn't just love her. They planned for her.

Author's Note: The Muse would like to say that all comments, even small ones, are very much welcomed and they very much enjoy reading them!