Guinaifen

An outworlder who ended up residing on the Xianzhou by accident. She is now a passionate and vivacious street performer. With her real name being Guinevere, Guinaifen is the Xianzhou name given to her by her good friend Sushang. Faced with a whole new life on the Loufu and relying on her adoration of Xianzhou culture, Guinaifen quickly learned skills that would keep her clothed and fed — such as slurping noodles in a handstand, smashing boulder on chest, catching bullets with bare hands, and so on.

Hello~ Hello~ Can you hear me? Good evening fam! And welcome to Little Gui's stream~ Thank you BigFlower49886 for the super chat! "Little Gui, you haven't streamed for more than half a month again. Are you not taking this seriously anymore?" No way! I just have a lot going on IRL these days and yeah, I haven't streamed for quite some time. I'm sorry~ The stuff I ran into IRL is actually pretty interesting. I'll talk about it some other time. For today, just like what I wrote in the title of the stream, it's "Music night! Little Gui singing Xianzhou folk music!" Anyways, I feel stuff like acrobatics is better for offline stuff, so I'm gonna try streaming some folk music. Just testing the waters today~ If you like the stream, remember to like and subscribe and share! If you wanna send a gift or a super chat, you'll get to take part in the prize-draw for this stream! Thank you MilkPowderPowder for the super chat! "I love to watch everything you stream, Little Gui." Powder, you are GOATED! Don't you leave the stream until I'm done tonight! Mwah~! cough... Lemme adjust the audio... One two three one two three pray on a tree... Alright! Now for some vocal exercises! I wrote all the lyrics for the doggerel tonight! ... Haven't been back at Aurum Alley for so long! Lo behold! This place just got renovated, hands down! Some locations are all adorned, while other are the same as days bygone. All my neighbors healthy and hale, and all my friends are lively as a gale. Here I am where the kuaiban clang, please come view and listen to my song. Gimme a cheer and viewers climb. Toss me a supa and add strales too. For today, we will avoid the divine's deeds. Nor will we, sing of Reignbow against the tree. Only speak, of the happy lass in Aurum Alley. Where have I, Little Gui actually come from. ...

As a child, Guinevere's entire world was the Lord Protector's mansion and the bustling streets before its doors. Her teachers said that her family has a long and distinguished history, and even this mansion has stood for a few Amber Eras. However, time did not seem to leave any traces on its stones. As if it stood apart from the rules of time and space, it forever protected this family in eternal peace and joy. Her father trained Guinevere's eldest brother, second eldest brother, and eldest sister in politics. He wished to hand the future of this planet to one of the three. As for Guinevere and her younger siblings... He only wished they would have a quiet and happy life in this tranquil paradise. Guinevere loved her father. He was as terrifying as a ridge-tailed python when facing his political enemies, but like a big and warm mountain hare when facing his daughter. She remembered that her father would do anything for her. He would even willingly play the role of an earth spirit struck down by Guinevere the heroine at her birthday party. After all, the birthday parties of upper-class children would also have the family's enemies turn up — However, her father didn't care about becoming laughing stock, if only she could be happy. Then, Guinevere grew up a bit. She started to hear rumors — How her father made the king a puppet, persecuted the honest courtiers, and gluttonously gained riches... She was willing to believe that all these were lies spread by his enemies. However, she knew not all of them were lies. Soon, however, these concerns ceased to matter. The Antimatter Legion invaded in hordes. Her father led the army to protect the royal capital, refusing to back down. Guinevere fainted when she heard news of his death. When she woke up again, she was already sitting inside a space shuttle. Her younger siblings were sobbing next to her, while her eldest brother and eldest sister were bound tightly in ropes. Her second eldest brother said to her in a despondent tone: "Don't untie them just yet. They don't want to run away." Guinevere looked outside the window. Her mother was dressed in military armor and had her back turned to the space shuttle slowly lifting off, taking command of servants who were unwilling to lay down and die. Further away, the Voidranger were tearing apart the Lord Protector's mansion. Even further, entire streets were on fire, with charred corpses scattered everywhere like piles of soil. For little Guinevere, it was like her entire world had been erased from the cosmos. ... I was truly from that outworld court named Camelot, and has my siblings altogether a dozen lot. Our days were peaceful and joyous to boot, but who'd thought that the Ruin Author made trouble all afoot. Parents fought back the invaders and arms they took, yet the Legion broke the nation's back. Powerless Dad stood. Elder brother led us siblings wandering without a root, to an IPC mining planet covered in dark soot. Eke out a living with meager scraps we undertook, homeless and meal-less often was our wont. My brother a timid man, doing back-breaking work. To piracy he was forced, interstellar raider forsook. Commercial shipments he only waylaid, homes he never burnt. They sing he was a hero among bandits, distributing his loot. He led hundreds of poor souls in a desperate force, terrible to look. Fallen wayward in the eyes of the law, just so we get enough food. ...

When Guinevere was young, her father always told her that humans should live with dignity. However, who could manage that on Hombert-σ? It was a barren planet. Primitive algae, fungi, and lichen maintained an atmosphere barely able to support animal life. Among the endemic species that stubbornly proliferated in that world, almost all of them existed as genuine threats to humanity. Had the Interastral Peace Corporation not discovered the mineral ores hidden in the heart of this planet, no humans would have wanted to move here anyways. Guinevere passed all of her teenage years on this poverty-stricken planet. She was good at making friends and was on good terms with the other kids. The son of the poor man, the daughter of the refugee, the brother of the gambler, or the sister of the murderer... Guinevere did not care about people's background. No matter what kind of families people are from, they were equally at risk of perishing before the arrival of tomorrow on this planet. The IPC didn't keep a tight eye on this place. Apart from the unfortunate souls with debts or criminal charges on their backs, the IPC didn't restrict the workers' liberties as long as they pay the required taxes, though they might not even have enough money left to have a drink at the bar in town after they've done so. Her father was the family's firmest shelter back home. Now that both father and home were lost, the duty of looking after the family fell on the shoulders of the only senior in the group — the Stone-Wall Knight. Her mother forced this loyal old knight to escape with the children when they left. Instead, her mother chose to stay in her homeland and accompany the final ashes falling on the now-barren land. The old knight was her father's closest playmate, then her father's most courageous battle companion, then her father's most loyal servant. And now... he became another "father" for the children. Guinevere didn't manage to remember his real name even till the end. She was more familiar with the knight's other name — Uncle Stone-Wall. A dozen starving children made their dwindling finances even worse. After a night of arguments, Stone-Wall reluctantly agreed to have the three eldest children go to work in the mines with him. However, no matter how much Guinevere begged, he refused to let her go with them. Night after night passed. Stone-Well grew old and withered. His lungs became full of incurable scars, and his spine no longer stood as tall as in years past. His hands, once able to swing a kinetic hammer majestically on the battlefield, have been deformed till he could no longer hold a key. Soon, he died. The stone wall fell. It fell before the dawn arrived, and it didn't make a single sound. It was like a sand castle receding as the tides swelled and fell, like the soft descent of winter's withered boughs in a breeze, like an ending doomed to arrive. Only a world of hoarfrost exists beyond the stone wall. Her elder brothers soon became interstellar pirates. Guinevere can fill her stomach again. However, she was also faintly aware that she had further strayed from her father's creed, and embarked on a life even less respectable. Therefore, when the IPC's soldiers put cuffs on Guinevere and handed her over to the Cloud Knights together with her younger siblings, she breathed a long sigh of relief. People all claim the folk of the Xianzhou are very kind. She thought that the Cloud Knights would definitely allow her entire family to die together in dignity. ... Who'd think my brother would get confused in his head? A skiff from Xianzhou he decided to raid up ahead. Those of Xianzhou responded with fierce fiery dread, thunderous ways they roused to subdue and all contend. My brother displaced from his lair, meekly submit. Only beseeched the soldiers to have mercy, siblings collect. Soldiers then showed us uttermost grace, back to Xianzhou brought and saved our face. Pardoned my brother and left him with his head, even worked to find ways for the others to move ahead. The young'uns to school and reading they send, and here Ms. Yo to teach me skills to transcend. Brother tells me to find a future elsewhere once I've learned, but not repaying kindess? Worse than a beast I'd get. Who knew in Aurum Alley my skills would shine, and out of poverty I now have fame and money in kind. ...

"Sorry, sorry! I ran into someone who was injured, so I got here later than I thought — Ah. Little Gui, you're still singing? Then I'll shut up." "Yo! Shangshang is here! Fam, lemme introduce her to all of you. She's our surprise guest tonight! The Cloud Knights' genius newcomer — Ms. Sushang! C'mon fam, post in the chat 'welcome Ms. Sushang'~" "H—Hello everyone. I'm Sushang... Stop with the 'genius newcomer' thing! Don't make me seem more than what I am. My boss is gonna give me an earful if they hear about it." "Just gimme a sec here, Shangshang. My doggerel is just missing its last bit. You're here right on time since it's all about you~" ... And then I met a thug who wanted to do me harm, thankfully a heroine emerged and hit him on the bum. You may ask, which heroine would be so brave? And I answer, none other than my best friend Li Sushang! From that day on the Luofu I am no longer alone, with this heroine as partner in crime and small wrongs. Besides I have all you gathered in a throng, daily hoping to hear my music and song. And just one performance won't do for you eager crowd, for encore you lot always loudly demand. But my stories are often stinky and long, and I can't finish without days going on and on. Why don't we wrap up here for today, taking a tiny small break? And for the next chapter of the story, we'll save it for another song. ... "Nice! Nice! Let's all clap for Little Gui, everyone! But... I don't quite remember this heroic feat?" "Mr. Xiyan said people like this type of save-the-princess encounters, which is why I wrote it this way. If you don't like it... Thank you CatEmanator8190 for the Diting Storm gift! Thanks so much!" "Thank you so much! ...It doesn't matter how you write it! The stuff you write are all fun anyways." "Alright, and now that Shangshang is here for the show-show, we can finally present the duo skit we've been practicing for a long time~ Here, Shangshang, gimme the chordophone. I, Little Gui, is now gonna sing Teng Xiao Slaying the Serpent!" "This section isn't easy to perform." "True. Any expert here would know that Teng Xiao Slaying the Serpent has singing, music, and fight scenes. One person can't do it all." "And that is why I'm here! So how do you want to do this?" "Simple~ Today I'm gonna play the role of Teng Xiao, the previous Luofu general. I'll bring peace to the nation and all shall bow before my majesty." "And me?" "You'll play the serpent getting slain! Where are you going, puny snake? Take~ My~ Sword~" "Ahh! It hurts... Guinaifen! I've had enough of you!"

My name is Guinaifen! "Gui" means wood, "Nai" means to exist, and "Fen" means fragrant — rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it? I usually do juggling performances on this side of Exalting Sanctum. Remember to come see the show when you have the chance~

Sushang has been calling me "Little Gui" for a long time now, which is fine... But recently I've noticed that even my brothers on the street have started calling me "Little Gui," and even audience members... At this rate, no one's gonna remember my real name!

On the Xianzhou, short-life species like us have a fleeting existence, here one moment and gone the next. That's all the more reason to seize the moment while you still have it!

There's a crosstalk comedy duo in Exalting Sanctum — Forth and Back'n. They're a friendly couple of guys — they helped me to embellish a lot of my act. In fact, the doggerel portion of the performance was their idea.

Shangshang is my best friend. Aside from my street-performing brothers, she's the person I've known the longest on the Luofu. I wanted to become sworn sisters with her, but she didn't seem interested.

I heard that the general is interested in these street music performances. I wish I had the chance to perform at the Seat of Divine Foresight, then I could be famous.

I've never spoken to the general, but I did meet his retainer once. He asked me if I was a "woman of the sword," so you know what I did? I did a sword-swallowing performance right in front of him!

Qingque likes to play celestial jade in Exalting Sanctum, but sometimes she gets tired and comes to see me juggling. I can tell from her face if she's won or lost that day — red is a win, pale is a loss, and really pale means her boss is out looking for her.

Isn't Huohuo's laugh just the cutest? My performances aren't scary — they're uplifting! I can't wait to see her laugh some more~

"Living?" that's all a big hustle and bustle. But life? Life's all about savoring the moment.

Spread those positive vibes, and watch the good luck follow~

Geez, why do I feel like I haven't seen you in a long time? What? You saw me yesterday? Ah — a day without seeing you feels like three years!

Fresh face, fresh vibes — must be talking about me!

The more you can do, the easier life gets~

Trailblazer, did you check out my latest livestream? It was a show-stopper!

Sushang! We should totally team up for this performance, the fans will go wild~

Hey little guy, wanna see some sword swallowing? I've added some new tricks to my act!

Hey Qingque, you're looking chipper, did the cards fall in your favor?

Come get a better view, Huohuo. Don't worry, the fire won't bite you, you know~

See you next time! I'll save you a front-row seat. Oh, uh, it's a makeshift outdoor stand, "front-row" sounds a little fancy...

My real name is Guinevere. Guinaifen is the Xianzhou name Shangshang gave me. Who is Shangshang you ask? She's my best friend — Sushang the Cloud Knight. Have you met her?

I've got more than a dozen siblings! One of them is my older brother — he's also living on the Xianzhou. His name is Langshile, but he seems to prefer being called "Lancelot."

Don't throw the game!

What's wrong? Everyone's a customer!

Turn out your pockets!

Forget your wallet? Hmph...

No one's gonna pay you to stand still!

Fame and fortune!

Wealth and wisdom!

Glad I trained...

Getting serious, huh!?

I learned my juggling skills on the street — my brothers taught me. It started out as a way to survive. Who'd have thought the performances would become so popular? It feels like fate is teasing us sometimes, hehe.

Come feast your eyes!

It's never too early... for a Happy New Year!

Uh-oh, dropped the ball...

The show must go on!

Here we go!

Tough crowd!

That was a heck of a performance!

Ooh, extra tips!

Quick, snatch it all up!

Wooh, looks like we've struck gold!

This girl arrived on your Xianzhou ship and started juggling to earn her tips, melons and dates make a very nice meal, but to make my day needs at least ten strale, no need to waste time on idle chat, 'cause a real stage play is right where it's at!

Think fast and work faster~

Want to know the secret? Well, my lips are sealed~

Maybe this one's not a customer...

Busier places mean fizzier business.

Don't you think the poetry and songs of the Xianzhou people are enchanting? One time I asked Shangshang to teach me to write poetry, and she only wrote four words in three months... I don't think I'll be able to learn at this rate.

There's so much good food on the Luofu, but for juggling one has to stay light and nimble. How does that ancient saying go... It's hard to be both loyal and filial? You can't serve two masters? Something like that?