Beneath the Moonless Sky

Shared Burdens

Two months into the school year, Lan Xichen found himself increasingly frustrated with the lack of support and progress regarding Wei Ying. He had tried everything within his power to help the student, but the obstacles were proving to be insurmountable. In a moment of need for solace, he decided to talk to his younger brother, Lan Wangji.

It was a quiet evening when Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji sat in their modest living room, catching up on each other's days. Lan Wangji noticed the tension in his brother's demeanor and asked, "How was school today, ge?"

Lan Xichen sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair. "It's been challenging, to say the least. There's one student, Wei Ying, who has been struggling significantly, and it's been incredibly frustrating trying to get him the support he needs."

Lan Wangji's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of struggles is he facing?"

Lan Xichen rubbed his temples. "He's dealing with severe difficulties in reading and writing, and he has a range of other issues that make it hard for him to function in a regular classroom setting. I've tried to get him an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), but his guardian—who is the head of the orphanage he grew up in—refuses to agree to it. They don't want to provide any additional help, insisting he should handle things on his own."

Lan Wangji frowned. "That sounds incredibly difficult. How old is this Wei Ying?"

Lan Xichen hesitated for a moment before responding. "He's sixteen. The same age as you."

Lan Wangji's eyes widened slightly. "Sixteen? So he's in middle school?"

"Yes," Lan Xichen confirmed. "He's repeating seventh grade for the third time. I didn't realize until recently, but it turns out he's the same age as you. It's disheartening to see someone his age struggling so much, especially when the system seems so unwilling to help him."

Lan Wangji looked thoughtful. "I didn't realize he was my age. I wonder how he's coping with everything."

Lan Xichen shook his head. "He tries to manage as best as he can, but it's clear that he's facing a lot of challenges. It's frustrating to know that there are ways we could help him, but we're blocked by bureaucratic red tape and a lack of support from his guardian."

Lan Wangji considered his brother's words carefully. "Maybe there's something we can do from here. Even if it's not direct intervention, perhaps we can find ways to offer support or raise awareness about his situation."

Lan Xichen appreciated his brother's concern. "That would be helpful. I've been trying to make the most of what's available to me, but it's clear that we need more than just temporary solutions. I'll continue pushing for better support, and any help or ideas you can provide would be invaluable."

Lan Wangji nodded. "I'll think about it. It's important to remember that sometimes even small actions can make a big difference. Maybe we can explore other community resources or find ways to advocate for better support systems."

As they continued to discuss the situation, Lan Wangji's empathy and determination provided Lan Xichen with a renewed sense of hope. Although they were not in a position to directly impact Wei Ying's situation, the idea of finding indirect ways to help and raise awareness was encouraging.

The conversation with Lan Wangji left Lan Xichen feeling more determined than ever to make a difference for Wei Ying. It was clear that while the obstacles were significant, there was still potential for change through creative problem-solving and persistent advocacy.