The Echo of Forgotten Dreams

A Missing Piece

Three weeks into the school year, Wei Wuxian found himself battling a persistent fever that left him bedridden in the shelter. The sickness came on suddenly, and he had no choice but to stay home and rest, despite the growing pile of missed assignments and mounting worries about falling behind.

After three days of absence, Lan Xichen grew concerned. He had noticed Wei Wuxian's absence and, not having any emergency contact information or a phone number for the student, decided to check on him. He had retrieved the address listed for Wei Wuxian from the school records—a modest restaurant on the edge of town—and set out to find him.

Lan Xichen pulled up in front of the diner, the neon sign flickering as he stepped out of his car. The sight of the familiar eatery brought a pang of unease. He approached the entrance, pushing open the door to the familiar chime of the bell.

The diner's manager, an older woman with a kind face, greeted him from behind the counter. "Good afternoon. How can I help you?"

"I'm here to check on Wei Wuxian," Lan Xichen explained. "He's been absent from school for a few days, and I wanted to see if he's okay. The address I have for him is listed as this restaurant."

The manager looked puzzled. "Wei Wuxian? He works here, but he hasn't been in for a few days. I'm afraid we don't know where he lives. He always used the restaurant as his address on official forms."

Lan Xichen's brow furrowed. "He doesn't have a permanent address?"

The manager shook her head. "Not that we know of. He's a hardworking kid, but he's been very private about his personal life."

Lan Xichen's concern deepened. "Do you know if he has any family or friends who might know where he is?"

"No, I'm afraid not," the manager replied sympathetically. "He's always kept to himself. I'm sorry I can't be of more help."

Feeling frustrated and worried, Lan Xichen decided to take a different approach. He left the diner and began to walk around the neighborhood, hoping to find someone who might know Wei Wuxian or where he could be staying. He knocked on doors and asked around, but no one had any information about the young student.

As the day wore on, Lan Xichen's search proved fruitless. His mind raced with possibilities, but he never thought to check a homeless shelter. Wei Wuxian had been careful to keep his situation concealed, and the idea that he might be staying at a shelter hadn't crossed Lan Xichen's mind.

Finally, as dusk approached, Lan Xichen returned to his car, feeling a deep sense of frustration and helplessness. He had hoped to find Wei Wuxian and offer some assistance, but the lack of information and leads made it seem like a nearly impossible task.

As he drove home, Lan Xichen resolved to reach out to the school administration for any additional information they might have overlooked. He knew that Wei Wuxian's situation was precarious, and he was determined to do whatever he could to help.

Back at the shelter, Wei Wuxian lay on his cot, feeling the fever's grip loosening but still exhausted. He had been too weak to answer the persistent knocks on the shelter door and the occasional worried inquiries from the staff about his well-being.

The following morning, as Lan Xichen reviewed his notes and considered his next steps, he decided to call the school administration for any potential leads or information. As he explained the situation, he hoped that someone might have additional details that could help him locate Wei Wuxian.

The search was far from over, but Lan Xichen's determination was unwavering. He knew that finding Wei Wuxian was crucial, and he was prepared to follow every lead and explore every possibility to ensure the young student's safety and well-being.