Wang Chengli opened the door before Liuxian reached it.
"Welcome back, Master."
Liuxian handed him two of the bags. "Where is he?" And then bowed slightly "Hello to you too, uncle Wang."
"Master Xue is in his room. He fell asleep about an hour ago."
Liuxian nodded and headed upstairs. He stopped at Guiying's door, pushed it open quietly and looked in.
Guiying was asleep on top of the covers, still in his indoor clothes, one arm tucked under his pillow and his face turned slightly to the side. His bear slippers were lined up neatly at the foot of the bed.
Liuxian set the bags down carefully by the wardrobe, crossed the room, sat on the edge of the bed, and lay down beside him.
He pulled him close and buried his face in his neck.
Guiying's pheromones had become something he associated entirely with coming home.
Vanilla, warm, familiar in a way that had crept up on him without announcement.
