Against the Algorithm

Chapter 54: Given, Not Owed

"You've... you've just been giving them away?" Lao Mao's voice broke the silence, hushed and awed.

"To people who'd love them. People who'd drive them. Who wouldn't hoard them behind glass. It didn't feel right to keep them all. Not when they could mean something to someone." Yao nodded, nibbling on her bottom lip.

Jinyang, for once in her life, was silent. Then she stood up, walked across the room, and gently knelt beside the couch where Yao sat. "You didn't just give us cars," she said softly, eyes shining now. "You gave us pieces of them."

Yao looked away quickly, her throat tight. Sicheng pulled her just a little closer, his thumb brushing her sleeve. And for once, the base didn't laugh or tease. They simply sat with her. In quiet awe. And a love that didn't need any more noise.

"Well that is what type of person she is when given money and very expensive things. She doesn't change and stays completely the same." sighed Ming with a fond tone as the others nodded in agreement with his words.

The Chen family compound in Shenzhen was always quiet by design—discreet security, clean architectural lines, and a calm that came from power earned, not flaunted.

Kazemi was finishing a call in the front study, sleeves rolled up, expression cool and unreadable as always, when a soft knock came at the open door.

"Master Chen," the steward said with a respectful incline of his head. "There are... deliveries arriving at the front."

Kazemi glanced up from his tablet. "Deliveries?"

The man hesitated. "They're vehicles, sir."

That was enough to pull Kazemi fully from his chair.

By the time he and Kaya stepped into the front courtyard, the first of the transport trucks had already begun its carefully orchestrated unloading. Velvet ropes were set up. Protective covers peeled away with expert hands.

And then—gleaming beneath the sun as if time had folded to reveal it:

A Rolls-Royce Boat Tail.

The car's frame gleamed in deep custom black with subtle slate accents, the hull curves unmistakable, the butterfly deck sealed with near-silent precision. It was as rare as it was impossible to own.

Kazemi stilled.

The second transport truck pulled up behind the first.

And when its cover rolled back, Kaya let out a soft, stunned breath.

The Dodge Viper Concept VM-02.

Silver. Custom detailed. The very car she had once pointed out in a passing comment years ago. A dream that had existed in the realm of impossibility, even for them.

The drivers presented two envelopes.

One with Kaya-jie written in a delicate script.

One with Kazemi-ge in the same steady hand.

Kaya opened hers first, her eyes sweeping across the simple message.

You once said she was the kind of car that didn't need to be explained. I remembered.
Thank you—for always being a silent protector.

—Yao

Kazemi opened his next.

Because presence doesn't have to raise its voice. I thought this one would suit you.
Thank you—for always letting Jinyang be her full self and for always calling me Mei-Mei.