As the lunch break ended, the whole school came alive with laughter and music. Every classroom was bustling with activity, the air filled with performances of all kinds.
Tables lining both sides were piled high with all sorts of snacks and drinks, while everyone was laughing and horsing around.
Zinnia munched on potato chips and sipped her milkshake while watching the performances. With the curtains drawn, leaving only the specially arranged ambient lights, a beautiful Christmas tree stood in the corner, and soft music drifted through the room.
Singing, dancing, chess, painting, piano and violin performances, drama skits–you name it, they had it. Everyone in the class was multi–talented, each privately tutored by renowned masters hired by their wealthy families. Even their casual performances were a true feast for the eyes.
The phone on the table chimed. Zinnia set down her drink and picked it up–a message from Yannis.
Yannis: [Heard your school’s having an event today?]
Zinnia hadn’t expected him to know. She texted back: [Yeah? How’d you find out?]
Yannis: [Someone told me. Word is, you’re playing the zither?]
Zinnia: [Yep. My classmates wanted to hear.]
Yannis glanced at the executives presenting below and checked his watch. He had no idea when Zinnia’s performance would start or if he could make it in time. He’d asked that brat Maisie, but she still hadn’t replied. Yannis quickly typed: [When’s your performance?]
Zinnia grabbed a bag of Cheetos and took a bite. She glanced at the program list on Lydia’s desk–she was scheduled last. Still ages away, probably another two or three hours to go, around five o’clock. Zinnia texted back: [I’m last. Still ages away.]
Yannis: [What time? I’ll pick you up after school.]
Zinnia checked the schedule and texted Yannis the time. But when she read that he would be coming to pick her up, the corners of her rosy lips curled up
in a secret smile.
“What’s got you smiling?” Lydia asked as she sat down beside Zinnia, topping up her half–finished milkshake.
“Oh, nothing, Lydia. Did your performance just end?” Zinnia turned off her phone, only then realizing the show had already finished.
Lydia was begged by her classmates to play the lute for them. Had it not been for her last performance, they would never have known she could play at
all.
They’d known her for two years, but Lydia had always kept this talent hidden. Whenever there was an event, she’d just take on the role of the host, never showing off her skills.
Yet no one expected Lydia to be such a masterful lute player. Only recently did they learn that her mother, Bonnie, was a renowned lute master who had trained under legendary masters. Before her condition worsened, Bonnie would personally teach Lydia the instrument.
“Yeah, just finished performing. Want some roasted chickpeas?” Lydia offered with no more questions. She picked up the packet of roasted chickpeas from her desk, tore open the wrapper, and handed it to Zinnia.
“Lydia, these roasted chickpeas are amazing,” Zinnia said, taking a bite. The chickpeas were so good.
She thought, ‘Honestly, is there anything Lydia can’t do? She cooks, bakes little cakes, makes all kinds of snacks, aces her studies, ar to code.‘
*knows how
“I’ve prepared some chickpeas at home, but haven’t roasted them yet. If you like, you can come over tomorrow to get some,” Lydia said, her clear eyes lighting up with a smile as she saw how much Zinnia liked them.
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“Sure. I’d love to visit your mom too,” Zinnia cheerfully agreed.
With Zinnia’s cheerful agreement, Lydia’s heart leaped. She was already planning tomorrow’s treats: butter cookies–Zinnia’s favorite–lemonade she’d mentioned wanting yesterday, and a chocolate cake.
“Zinnia? Zinnia! It’s your turn.” Maisie dashed over, her face lit up with excitement. Break time always flew by, and in a blink, it was Zinnia’s turn to perform.
The rest of the class sat up straight, all eyes fixed on her with eager anticipation.
“Okay.” Zinnia had just finished munching on some potato chips, her hands covered in crumbs as she was about to grab a tissue to wipe them.
Zinnia felt a soft touch on her fingers. She looked down to see Lydia gently wiping her hands with a tissue. Before Zinnia could process why this felt oddly intimate, Lydia withdrew her hand, patted Zinnia’s little finger, and said, “Go on, Zinnia.”
“Thanks, Lydia,” Zinnia said. With time running out, She jogged to center stage.
Ethan and the others had already helped move the zither into place, with a simple wooden stool set beside it.
Zinnia’s outfit today was perfectly suited for the occasion–a flowing white evening gown with delicate lace details and subtle floral patterns, a gift from
Yvette.
Zinnia had always loved elegant dresses and sophisticated gowns. Yvette, her mother, was delighted to discover this shared passion, and their close bond grew even stronger.
Every time Yvette ordered new clothes for herself, she would send Zinnia a whole batch–more than Zinnia could ever wear, even if she changed outfits every day.
Maisie styled Zinnia’s hair into an elegant braided updo, half–pinned up with the rest cascading over her right shoulder. Adorned with tiny pearls and a small tiara, the hairstyle highlighted Zinnia’s delicate features.
It softened her demeanor while her willowy back remained poised and straight. A loose strand of hair curled by her cheek, making her glow like a perfectly cultured pearl.
In fact, Maisie had learned to create such elegant updos by watching, the stylist work on Yvette’s hair.
Meanwhile, outside the classroom, the principal, his face torn between respectful decorum and barely contained delight, gazed at the tall, upright figure ahead–Yannis.
He could hardly believe his luck: Yannis had come in person to pledge the donation of a new library building. The thought that the students would soon have even more books made the principal so overjoyed he thought his face might crack from grinning.
Without hesitation, he gathered a group of teachers and staff to accompany Yannis on a tour of the campus.
The principal said, “Mr. Perkins, we are deeply grateful for your generous donation of a new library to our school-“.
As they neared Yannis’s destination, Yannis turned to the entourage behind him and said, “Let me take a look around on my own. No need to accompany us any further.”
“Alright then, Mr. Perkins. If you need anything, please contact us right away,” the principal said. He had been about to offer to accompany him, but seeing the determined look on Yannis’s face, he quickly changed his mind and agreed.
“Go ahead,” said Yannis,
The principal led the others away, leaving only Yannis and Toby in the hallway.
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Class 19’s classroom stood just two meters ahead, its door shut and curtains drawn tight. Yannis pulled out his phone.
Inside the classroom, Ethan stood a short distance away, hand hovering over the light controls. He called out, “Zinnia, all set?”
“Ready,” Zinnia said, glancing at the zither before her. She plucked a string, releasing a clear, melodious note. “This zither is truly exquisite,” she thought, admiring how its sound rivaled the one she and Nathan kept at home.
“Lights out,” Ethan announced, hitting the switch.
The classroom plunged into darkness, but in the blink of an eye, all eyes were drawn to the center, where a warm golden spotlight illuminated Zinnia.
Her petite, slender figure was bathed in a soft halo, stunningly beautiful–radiating light as if she were the very embodiment of radiance itself.
A corner of the curtain was lifted, and the scene inside was revealed to Yannis. In that instant, his heart skipped a beat–a feeling that would linger for a long, long time.
