Beneath the Moonless Sky

Unspoken Worries

Lan Zhan walked the familiar halls of his high school, his mind not fully present in his surroundings. The clamor of students between classes, the chatter, and laughter, seemed distant as he wrestled with the thoughts that had been plaguing him.

It was a typical day at school for Lan Zhan, but his heart wasn't in it. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind, and no matter how much he tried to focus on his classes, his mind kept drifting back to Wei Ying. The boy he had come to care about deeply, whose struggles seemed to be mounting with each passing day.

During lunch, Lan Zhan found himself staring absentmindedly at his lunch tray, hardly tasting the food as he thought about the conversation he'd had with his brother. Lan Xichen's concern had been evident when he mentioned Wei Ying's situation, and it had struck a chord with Lan Zhan. He knew how much his brother cared, and how deeply he was invested in trying to help Wei Ying. But the more Lan Zhan thought about it, the more he felt a growing anxiety about Wei Ying's future.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Lan Zhan packed up his things and headed to his car. He had a plan to visit the library again, to help Wei Ying with his homework, but today, something felt different. He was carrying a weight of concern he couldn't shake.

Meanwhile, Lan Xichen had arrived at the school early, seeking some time to reflect and think. He sat at his desk, the classroom empty except for the stray papers and his lesson plans. His gaze wandered to the window, but his mind was far from the lessons he was supposed to prepare for his students.

He had spent the previous night wrestling with his thoughts about Wei Ying's future. The more he thought about it, the clearer it became that Wei Ying needed more support than he could get from just the school. Lan Xichen knew that the boy faced a tough road ahead, and it wasn't something that could be fixed with just classroom help.

Lan Xichen glanced at the clock and sighed. He needed to talk to someone about this—someone who might be able to offer advice or a solution. But who? The head of the orphanage had already made it clear they weren't willing to help. He needed another avenue, another way to ensure Wei Ying's safety and well-being.

His phone buzzed, breaking his reverie. It was a text from Lan Zhan: "Meet me at the library? Need to talk."

Lan Xichen's heart skipped a beat. He knew his brother well enough to sense that something was troubling him. With a quick nod to himself, he grabbed his things and headed out the door.

At the local library, Lan Zhan was already there, sitting at one of the tables near the back. When Lan Xichen arrived, he saw his brother's troubled expression and knew immediately that this wasn't just a casual meeting.

"Hey," Lan Xichen said softly, taking a seat across from Lan Zhan. "What's on your mind?"

Lan Zhan looked up, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a rare hint of agitation. "It's about Wei Ying. I've been thinking a lot about him lately, especially after the Thanksgiving dinner. It's clear he's struggling more than I realized."

Lan Xichen nodded, his expression growing more serious. "I've been thinking the same thing. His situation is more complex than just needing academic help. The reality is, in two years, he'll be eighteen, and..."

Lan Zhan's face tightened with worry. "And he won't have any support. I've been trying to help him with his schoolwork, but I keep wondering what will happen to him after he ages out of the system. It's not just about academics. It's about his entire future."

Lan Xichen sighed deeply, his frustration evident. "I've tried to push for more help, but the orphanage won't budge. They say it's up to his guardian, but the head of the orphanage has made it clear they're not interested in providing additional support."

Lan Zhan's gaze was resolute. "We need to find another way. Wei Ying deserves better than being cast aside when he turns eighteen. There must be something we can do."

Lan Xichen nodded, feeling a sense of solidarity with his brother's determination. "I agree. I've been thinking about legal options, maybe advocating for a special arrangement for him. But I'm not sure where to start. Maybe there's an organization or a lawyer who specializes in cases like this."

Lan Zhan's eyes lit up with hope. "That sounds like a good place to start. We need to explore all the options available to us."

The two brothers sat in the library, their conversation filled with plans and ideas, the resolve in their voices clear. They were determined to ensure Wei Ying's future wasn't left to chance, and that he would have the support he needed long after he left the orphanage system.

As they discussed their next steps, Lan Zhan felt a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't just helping a friend; he was fighting for a future that would offer Wei Ying a chance to thrive, no matter the obstacles. And with Lan Xichen by his side, they were ready to tackle the challenge together.