Guiying braced himself for a cold welcome, formal introductions, careful distance held between him and a family still deciding whether to accept him. Instead, the front door burst open before he'd even reached it, four small figures barreling straight toward him.
"Uncle Guiying!" Yaoyao grabbed one hand, Mingming the other, Lele and Xiao Bao trailing close behind, already pulling him inside before he could properly greet anyone.
Dragged through the entryway, Guiying laughed despite himself, letting the children lead him toward the main sitting room.
Then he saw him.
Standing near the fireplace, a tall man turned at the commotion, glass of wine in hand, and Guiying's breath caught slightly at the resemblance staring back at him.
The same sharp jaw, the same composed posture, silver threading through dark hair in a way that only sharpened rather than softened his features.
