Against the Algorithm

Chapter 54: Given, Not Owed

Sicheng leaned down as the elevator began to descend, his voice low near her ear. "Remind me to never complain while you're holding food."

"Depends," she said softly, not looking at him. "Do you plan to whine like your brother?"

"...I have regrets."

Yao's lips twitched into a faint smile. She didn't carry a thing, not her bag, not her travel case, not even her breakfast box anymore. Because her hands were free. And someone else had the weight. And if Yue was going to grumble his way through security? She had a second pastry in the other pocket. Just in case.

The flight to Shenzhen was smooth, quiet, and blissfully uneventful. By the time they landed, the sun had risen fully, casting warm golden light across the tarmac as the private jet taxied toward its designated hangar. The air was cooler here, a soft breeze sweeping past as they descended the stairs, the weight of schedules and impending matches settling back onto their shoulders like armor being re-fastened.

At the base of the steps, two sleek black cars were waiting.

One for the Lu parents.

One for the rest of them.

Lan had barely reached the vehicle before she was already on her phone, voice clipped and efficient as she began laying out the schedule for the next seventy-two hours, lawyers, calls, relocation of sensitive documents, follow-ups with the private security firm. Sheng opened the rear door for her, then turned toward the three younger ones standing by the second car. "Make sure she rests," he told Sicheng quietly, nodding toward Yao.

"I will." came the smooth reply.

"And no training tonight," Lan added, glancing up briefly. "Your team gets one evening to breathe before hell week begins."

"Yes, Mother," Yue said with a sigh, dragging his bag toward the trunk.

"And no caffeine after seven," Lan finished, her eyes narrowing specifically on Yao.

"Not even green tea, I swear." Yao swallowed hard with a flustered look as she lifted both hands like she was being frisked.

With a final, sharp look of parting judgment, Lan climbed into the car. Sheng followed after her with a small nod of approval and a hand on the door—just enough of a gesture to say we're still watching you, without saying it aloud. The door shut. The car pulled away. And just like that—quiet settled over the runway.

"Well," Yue said as their own driver moved to open the doors for them. "That was tense. I aged a year."

"You age like milk." Sicheng muttered as he took the bags and slid them into the rear compartment before moving to the passenger side.

"I'm fresh and full of character," Yue fired back, climbing into the back seat.

"You're expired and dramatic." Yao snorted softly and slipped in beside him, folding her hands neatly in her lap.

Sicheng slid into the front, glanced at the driver, and gave a small nod. "Back to the base."

The car pulled away smoothly, merging into the late-morning traffic as Shenzhen unfolded around them in calm, post-flight silence. The city shimmered beneath the rising sun, all glass and light, alive with motion and subtle tension. But inside the vehicle, the energy was quieter—warm from the shared presence, but less intense than before.

Yue leaned his head back with a groan, clutching his stomach. "I still can't believe you force-fed me pastry in an elevator. I have trauma."

"You survived," Yao said without looking at him.