Batter My Heart,Mr Xi (Book 2)

Chapter XV

The ancestral hall of the main Xi family mansion hummed with tension.

Ornate tapestries depicting generations of Xi triumphs adorned the walls, their golden threads catching the soft light from antique lanterns and the scent of sandalwood incense wafted through the room.

At the far end of the hall, the elders of the Xi family sat in a semicircle, their traditional attire a sea of muted colors and rich fabrics.

Their faces, etched with lines of wisdom and experience, were solemn as they conversed among themselves waiting for a particular someone.

In the center, upon an intricately carved rosewood chair, sat Xi Jinwei's grandfather, the current Xi Patriarch. His weathered hands rested on the arms of the chair, fingers tracing absent patterns on the smooth wood.

The empty seat beside him seemed to draw every eye in the room, a stark reminder of his wife's absence as she was still recovering from a recent accident.

Xi Jinwei's footsteps echoed through the vast hall, each click of his polished shoes against the marble floor reverberating off the ornate walls.

The sound announced his arrival long before he came into view of the assembled elders. As he approached, the murmur of hushed conversations died down, replaced by an expectant silence.

With measured steps, Xi Jinwei made his way to the center of the room. The afternoon sun streamed through the high windows, casting long shadows.

He stood tall, his tailored suit a stark contrast to the traditional robes worn by many of the elders.

Pausing for a moment to survey the room, Xi Jinwei then bowed deeply, his movements fluid and graceful. "Respected elders," he said, his voice clear and steady, "I thank you for gathering here today."

The elders nodded in acknowledgment, their faces a mix of approval and curiosity.

At the head of the assembly sat Xi Jinwei's grandfather face creased into a smile as he regarded his grandson.

"Jinwei," the old man said, his voice carrying the weight of years of authority, "it's good to see you on your feet. How are you feeling?"

Xi Jinwei straightened, a fleeting grimace crossing his face before being replaced by a polite smile. "I'm well, Grandfather, thank you for asking."

The patriarch nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That's good to hear. That accident of yours gave us all quite a scare. It's fortunate you came out of it unscathed."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the assembled elders. Xi Jinwei noticed a few exchanging meaningful glances, their expressions a mix of concern and something else... suspicion, perhaps?

"Indeed," one of the older women spoke up, her voice quavering slightly with age. "Our family seems to have been plagued by misfortune lately. First, the incident with your grandmother, then your father's near-miss at the factory, and now your accident. It's... concerning."

Xi Jinwei's expression remained neutral. The string of accidents hadn't escaped his notice either, and he and every other person here knew they weren't just coincidences.

"It has been an unfortunate series of events," Shen Huoying, his uncle agreed carefully. "However, we are fortunate that no lasting harm has come to our family. Perhaps it's simply a reminder for us all to be more cautious."

His grandfather leaned forward in his chair, his gaze intense. "Perhaps," he said slowly, "or perhaps it's a reminder that there are those who would see our family fall. We must be all be vigilant, especially you Jinwei. In times like these, we cannot afford to be complacent."