Against the Algorithm

Chapter 58: Measured Steps

Then his phone buzzed.

He pulled it from his pocket, thumb unlocking the screen with the same practiced swipe as always.

The message was from Lu Sheng.

SulkingCEO: The hotel suite near Tsinghua has been prepped. Your room with Yao has everything both of you need. Her fur beasts are welcome—staff already informed. Food, bedding, and their usual comforts are stocked. I made sure they have windows.

Sicheng blinked.

Then snorted.

Yao looked up, wide-eyed. "What?"

He tilted the screen toward her just enough for her to read over his arm.

She stared.

Her cheeks went pink.

"...He called them beasts."

Sicheng's mouth twitched. "Affectionately."

Yao leaned over slightly, squinting at the text. "Did he really stock the suite... with cat things?"

"Apparently so."

"I didn't even tell him they were coming yet!"

Sicheng slipped the phone back into his pocket and leaned down to press a kiss to her temple. "You don't have to," he said with a soft smirk. "He already knew and you're family now. That includes the fur brigade."

Yao huffed, mumbling under her breath, "Still can't believe he's just letting them come."

Sicheng wrapped his arms around her from behind again, nuzzling lightly against her neck. "Letting them come?" he murmured. "He probably stocked the suite with better supplies than we have at the base."

And when Yao tried to protest, Da Bing, as if summoned by name, leapt onto the end of the couch with a regal thump, curling into his usual spot with a smug little flick of his tail.

Sicheng glanced over his shoulder, then smirked. "Yep. Definitely better supplies."

Yao shifted as she set the last of the bowls down on the counter, her expression thoughtful, her lips pressing into a small, uncertain line. Then, as she leaned into Sicheng's side again, her voice came quiet. "...We're going to need something to mellow Xiao Cong."

Sicheng blinked. "What?"

She bit her lower lip, glancing toward the living room where the gray-striped Main Coon kitten had just flopped upside down across the back of the couch, his tail twitching dramatically as he pawed at Da Bing's much larger face. "If he's locked up on that jet for more than ten minutes, he's going to start yowling like he's being tortured," she muttered. "And if he's not yowling, he's going to get out and terrorize everyone on the jet. Or scream because he's locked in. Again."

Sicheng let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Yao," he said dryly, "he's the size of my forearm."

"And has the personality of a god," she muttered back, rubbing her temples. "He'll terrorize Yue for looking at him too long."

"You say that like he didn't hiss at Yue for breathing near you two days ago."

"He hissed because Yue was being loud and waving a roll around like a threat."

"He hissed because Yue exists."

"...Also fair."

Sicheng reached past her for his tea and took a long sip before murmuring, "I'll call the vet in the morning. We'll ask if they've got something safe to take the edge off. Enough to keep him quiet without knocking him out."

Yao visibly relaxed, even as her cheeks pinked. "You sure?"

Sicheng leaned down, brushing his lips against her temple, voice low. "Beautiful, I'll sedate Yue if it keeps you and your little fur demon calm for the flight."

Yao choked on a laugh, then swatted at him weakly.

Da Bing meowed from the couch like he was insulted not to be included in the drama.

Sicheng's smirk deepened. "Don't worry, Da Bing. You can judge us all from your plush-lined travel crate."

Yao looked at him, then whispered, "It is plush-lined, isn't it?"

Sicheng raised a brow. "My father handled it. What do you think?"

Yao sighed into his shoulder. "Right. Velvet throne. Gold bowl. Probably roomier than the flight attendant's seat."

"Probably."

They both stood there for a second longer, listening to Xiao Cong's squeaky, high-pitched meow echo from the other side of the room.

Sicheng didn't say it aloud.

But judging by the noise?

Yeah.

That kitten was definitely getting something mellow. Or everyone on that jet was going to be begging to get off halfway through the flight.

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!