Against the Algorithm

Chapter 66: She Signed in Silence, and the World Shifted

The man turned, as if to try another route.

But this time—

Sicheng stepped forward and the temperature dropped. He didn't raise his voice. Didn't bare his teeth. He just looked at the man, one arm still wrapped protectively around Yao's waist, and said in a voice as quiet as snowfall and twice as cold, "Walk away."

"Lu Sicheng—"

"One chance," he interrupted, voice edged in ice. "Turn around. Walk away. Do not speak to her. Do not look at her. You had your chance to defend her legacy, and you sat down."

Yao remained still, tucked beneath Sicheng's arm, but her fingers curled tight around her tablet.

The elevator arrived with a soft chime.

The doors opened.

The man looked at her one more time—but neither Sheng nor Sicheng moved.

And it was clear.

There would be no forgiveness today.

Not from them.

Not for this.

He stepped back in silence.

And Sicheng guided Yao into the elevator, his hand never leaving her waist.

The elevator doors slid closed with a soft, final hiss, sealing them away from the polished cruelty of the boardroom and all the eyes that had dared to look at her with anything less than respect.

The silence inside was still, heavy, wrapped in the soft hum of motion.

Yao didn't say anything. She just stood there, her shoulders finally dropping ever so slightly, her hands still tightly clutching the edge of her tablet like she needed the weight of it to stay grounded. She was composed but only just. And Sicheng, who hadn't let her go once, hadn't moved from her side, still had that same steady, territorial grip at her waist like he'd anchor her to the earth himself if she lost her footing.

The elevator descended.

Sheng stood to her right, unreadable as always, his hands calmly folded behind his back, as if his body had not been thrumming with barely contained violence minutes ago. Lan and Kaya said nothing. They let the silence settle around the girl in the center—this girl who bore legacy like silk armor and had held her ground through every insult and every gaze.

Yao leaned. Barely. But enough. Enough that her shoulder pressed into Sicheng's chest, and her temple tilted to rest lightly beneath his chin. His arms moved instantly, wrapping around her from behind, pulling her gently but tightly against him in the middle of the elevator, in full view of everyone. No one spoke. No one needed to. His chin rested on the top of her head as he murmured something no one else heard, just for her. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and her breath trembled once.

The doors opened into the private lobby, and they moved as one.

The ride back to the base was quiet. They sat in the far back seat of the Lu family car, Kaya up front beside the driver, Lan and Sheng across from them in the middle row—though neither adult had said a word. Respect, this time, looked like silence.

Yao was curled into Sicheng's side, her head against his shoulder, one of his arms wrapped securely around her while the other gently pulled her tablet out of her hands, setting it aside. She hadn't protested. Her body was warm, limp, heavy against him in the way that only happened after adrenaline faded and the weight of it all caught up. And then, without lifting her head. Without looking at anyone. Her voice cracked. "I didn't think... I'd feel so angry."