Chapter 172

With a big grin, Ethan announced, "Since you guys are playing instruments, I'll do a sword dance." He looked at his friends—Maisie with the guitar, Zinnia the zither, Lydia the lute, and Brian the harmonica. Ethan simply drew his sword.

The crowd below watched with growing excitement as the performers exuded a strong aura. "Are you all ready?" Zinnia asked from her position. After a brief discussion, they agreed she would start, allowing the others to adjust as needed.

Zinnia gently touched the zither strings. It wasn't as ornate as the one she had back home, but it still felt pleasant to play. "Yep," Ethan said, preparing for his sword dance. "Let's start," the organizer boomed through the megaphone.

As the organizer's voice faded, everyone took their places, but all eyes were on Zinnia. Under their expectant gaze, she plucked the zither strings, creating a beautiful melody that drifted smoothly through the air. The stage lights illuminated Zinnia, highlighting her delicate features as she bowed her head slightly. Her fingers moved effortlessly across the strings; any music lover would immediately recognize her expertise.

The others smiled at Zinnia. Maisie exclaimed, "Our little star is so talented! Who knew she had such amazing skills?" Ethan didn't hesitate. He moved gracefully, his sword gleaming under the spotlight as he performed intricate patterns.

With swift, precise movements, Ethan crossed and uncrossed his swords, creating mesmerizing shapes. As the zither's melody softened, Maisie began to recite a war poem. With the lute playing softly in the background, Ethan spun, his sword flashing like lightning.

The four instruments played in perfect harmony as Ethan's sword movements became faster and faster. The crowd was captivated, their eyes flitting between the performers. It felt like a professional show. Ethan looked back at his friends; they shared a knowing smile before joining in with their instruments.

At that moment, all the instruments blended perfectly. The sound of Ethan's sword cutting through the air thrilled the audience, their hearts pounding with excitement. As their voices faded, only the resonant sound of the instruments lingered, sweet and strong.

"Bravo!" Loud applause erupted from the crowd as the performance ended. The winners were clear. The five friends gathered, their faces beaming with happy, confident smiles. "Thank you, everyone!"

The organizer, filled with admiration, approached the group. "Congratulations on winning! This lamp is yours," he said happily. "Thanks," Maisie replied with a warm smile, accepting the lamp before gently handing it to Zinnia.

"There are also some really pretty lamps here. You can pick your favorite ones," the organizer said kindly, aware that they had won primarily for Zinnia's performance. Observing their vibrant energy, he reflected that youth truly was wonderful. There was only one Opaline Lamp, specifically for Zinnia, but with many other attractive lamps available, they took turns choosing their favorites.

"Would you like a group photo? It's free, and we'll send you the pictures later," the organizer offered with a smile. "Definitely!" The group lined up for the photo, with Zinnia in the center. "Cheese!" they shouted together, then cheered with a big "Yeah!"

Ethan raised his sword high, his voice full of energy: "We'll come back next year!" Surrounded by their best friends, they stood at the peak of their youth—bright, brave, and close. "After graduation, we will definitely come back next year!" Maisie added.

The organizer smiled warmly. "We're looking forward to seeing you again next year." A video of their performance quickly went viral on major social media platforms, widely shared by local tourism groups. Their act gained popularity even abroad, though they were unaware of it at the time.

Numerous online comments followed, expressing admiration for the group, particularly Zinnia's skill and beauty, and speculating about their wealthy backgrounds and the reasons for their participation. These comments are summarized below:

• Various comments highlighted Zinnia's beauty and talent.
• Several comments noted the performers' wealthy backgrounds and high social status.
• Some comments speculated about the motivations of the group to perform, with some suggesting that Zinnia's desire for the lamp was a key factor.
• Many commenters expressed envy of the group's friendship and lifestyle.

Yvette, adept at online navigation, quickly recognized Zinnia in the video. She promptly downloaded and shared it in their group chat, smiling proudly.