Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 24 - Murmurs of the Past, Echoes of Tomorrow

As Qing Yi picked up his pace, he moved ahead of Lan Xichen, no longer walking side by side. Sensing the tension in the air, Lan Xichen was on the verge of inquiring if what he had just said had upset Qing Yi, but before he could, Qing Yi spoke up. His voice remained calm and gentle,

"Ze Wu-Jun, when did you begin experiencing difficulty sleeping at night?"

Lan Xichen came to a brief stop, taken aback by the sudden question. "Why do you ask?" he inquired, curiosity lacing his voice.

Observing that Lan Xichen had halted as well, Qing Yi turned around, offering a gentle smile. "I want to see if there's anything I can do to help alleviate the issue for you, if you'd allow me," he explained.

Lan Xichen was somewhat surprised by Qing Yi's offer. While his words remained polite and kind, there was a subtle distance in his tone that Lan Xichen couldn't ignore. He kept his gaze fixed on Qing Yi as he responded, "I mentioned it started about two years ago."

Closing his eyes briefly, Qing Yi contemplated the possible causes of Lan Xichen's restlessness. Earlier, they had discussed the potential link between high stress levels and insomnia. Qing Yi continued his inquiry, "Are you particularly stressed about something? Or could there be another source of anxiety?"

Lan Xichen pondered for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "Well," he began, "I do experience some stress in my role as a clan leader." Inwardly, he couldn't help but wonder if Qing Yi was upset with him, causing him additional stress. "But I've faced more daunting situations in the past that didn't affect my sleep. It's not solely the stress that's keeping me awake."

Qing Yi's expression remained calm as he processed Lan Xichen's words. "I see," he responded. "So, there might be other factors at play here. For instance, depression can often lead to sleep disturbances. Is there something that has been troubling you emotionally?"

Lan Xichen remained in the same spot, turning to face Qing Yi with a hesitant expression, clearly grappling with his response. Sensing his struggle, Qing Yi decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.

"Depression has various underlying causes," he continued, "ranging from traumatic experiences to sudden difficulty concentrating, loss of hope, and more. Sometimes, it can be tied to a significant loss, leading to feelings of guilt and self-blame. Regardless of your direct involvement, whether it's the loss of a person or an object, the impact can be profound, affecting your daily life and potentially leading to depression. This, in turn, can manifest as fatigue, difficulty focusing, and sleep disturbances."

Lan Xichen remained silent, absorbing Qing Yi's analysis, which seemed to delve into deeper territory than he had initially expected. He wondered if Qing Yi might be subtly getting back at him for probing into his life earlier. So far, Qing Yi has been surprisingly accurate in his observations, hitting most of the key points correctly.

Sensing Lan Xichen's hesitation, Qing Yi decided to address the situation. "I apologize if I've overstepped or made you uncomfortable," he said, his tone cold yet gentle, befitting that of a caring physician. "My intention was merely to offer assistance when I saw you struggling to get a good night's sleep."

Lan Xichen acknowledged Qing Yi's concern with appreciation in his voice. "No need to apologize; your concern is much appreciated."

As Lan Xichen began to move closer, Qing Yi mirrored his steps, maintaining a small but deliberate distance between them. Both maintained warm smiles as they delved into a deeper conversation.

At this point, Lan Xichen understood that Qing Yi's concern stemmed from his compassionate nature as a healer who had been caring for others for so long. He was impressed by Qing Yi's keen perception of his inner struggle. Lan Xichen maintained a gentle smile as he confided, "Let's just say I've lost something significant and am in mourning," Lan Xichen said, his gaze searching for guidance. "Do you have any suggestions on how to 'move on' from a traumatic experience?"