There was no denying that Lantern Rite deserved its reputation as Liyue's grandest festival of the year.
Ellin and her friends had a wonderful time.
It was also worth mentioning that Barbara had come along.
Barbara and Ellin were already friends, so when Ellin planned to take her friends to Liyue for Lantern Rite, she had let Barbara know too.
During the last concert in Mondstadt, Barbara had taken a keen interest in Xinyan, the singer from Liyue.
Barbara and Xinyan had also worked wonderfully together during rehearsals.
One was Mondstadt's superstar idol, while the other was a Liyue singer who sang out in defiance.
After spending time together, the two girls with a shared passion had become friends.
When Barbara learned that Ellin was taking her friends to Liyue for Lantern Rite, she immediately requested a few days off from the Church and followed Ellin to Liyue.
After arriving, she first toured Liyue with Ellin and the others, experiencing its local customs and culture.
Then, with Ellin's help, she found Xinyan.
The two of them put together a simple stage by the docks and were now singing and dancing on it.
They had actually wanted to invite Ellin onstage too, but Ellin had found an excuse to politely decline.
"Da~ dadadada~ da~ da~!"
Barbara's girlish humming and dance moves brimmed with youthful energy.
Xinyan's guitar playing set hearts racing and blood pumping.
The two complemented each other beautifully, their enthusiasm utterly infectious.
Visitors and fans stopped to watch, and before long, a large crowd had gathered around the stage.
At the very front stood a girl dressed in an opera costume. She was Xinyan's friend and fan-Yun Jin.
At that moment, Yun Jin looked every bit Xinyan's most devoted fan, jumping and cheering in front of the stage.