Who is being conquered?

The principle behind it is that the stone used is very heavy, thus possessing great inertia. So, when the hammer is swung down rapidly, the stone's acceleration is minimal due to inertia, preventing immense pressure from being exerted on the person.

The spectators, naturally, didn't need to think about such complex theories; they just wanted to see something exciting. However, at this moment, someone spotted a flaw and loudly questioned, "Who are you going to have lie on the board for this chest-crushing stone act?"

"Yeah, yeah! You're just a young girl, are you going to smash yourself?" the surrounding people chimed in.

Guinevere had anticipated this and confidently pointed to the tofu on the wooden table, proclaiming loudly, "Hmph, having someone lie down is hardly a display of skill. Later, I'll place the blue-and-white granite slab on the tofu. I guarantee that with one strike, the stone slab will shatter, but the tofu will remain unchanged. If I fail, all the prize money earned today will be distributed among you all."

This was a lie. In reality, Guinevere had no partner and could only perform solo.

However, her words stirred up a storm in the crowd, and the cheers and applause grew even louder.

"Everyone, just watch closely!"

Guinevere carefully placed the blue-and-white granite slab onto the soft water-milled tofu, her gaze fixed firmly on the center of the stone slab. She spat in her palm, then swung the giant hammer, about to bring it down with full force, when a faint whistling sound cut through the air.

Her survival instincts kicked in. Guinevere's gaze involuntarily shifted to the incoming soda can. By the time she realized it was aimed at her, her body couldn't react to evade it. She could only watch, like a carousel, as the soda can smashed into her face.

"Ugh—!"

Guinevere's hands instantly went limp. The giant hammer, losing its support, suddenly slammed down directly above the stone slab. With a squish, the water-milled tofu was reduced to a pulp.

"Oh, oh, oh, great!" The crowd erupted in even more fervent cheers than before. Those with quick hands were already stepping forward, ready to take away the small bowl she used to collect prize money.

"Hey, hey, hey! That doesn't count, doesn't count, doesn't count! Everyone, listen to my explanation!"

Guinevere's protests were clearly ineffective. She could only watch helplessly as her hard-earned prize money was divided among others.

And that wasn't even the worst part. That water-milled tofu was supposed to be dinner for her and her dozen or so siblings! Could it still be eaten after being smashed like this?

Without a moment to mourn her dinner being reduced to a pulp, Guinevere immediately stood up, clenched the soda can that had hit her head, and glared around indignantly. "Who was it that just threw a soda can at me!?"

Meanwhile, Su Shang, watching from behind the scenes, was laughing so hard she was crying, burying her face in Bai Jun's clothes. "Hahaha, Bai Jun, you're amazing! That really ticked off that bad guy."

"Mm-hmm, I've avenged you. Now, whether you can get Xuanyuan back depends on you. Go out and confront her."

"Ah?"

Before her brain could process his words, Su Shang was tossed out like a kitten by Bai Jun. That wasn't all; Bai Jun, in his thoughtfulness, even shouted for her, "I go by no name and have no surname; I am this young lady!"

Instantly, Guinevere's indignant gaze locked onto Su Shang, who looked utterly bewildered.

"It's you again!" Guinevere angrily threw the soda can in her hand, "It's all your fault, my entire family's dinner is gone!"

Su Shang, unable to dodge, took the full force of the soda can. Angrily, she pointed at Xuanyuan, who was being used as a makeshift table, and yelled, "What are you talking about! You thief who snatched my Xuanyuan, you dare to play the victim! Give me back my Xuanyuan quickly!"

"What thief? Who told you to hit me with such a big sword first! With your strength, if I took that hit, wouldn't I have been flattened immediately?" Guinevere said, her voice becoming even more aggrieved, her eyes starting to well up. "Do we have some kind of grudge? I'm just performing here to earn money for my family to eat. You annoying people chase me away every day, and now you want to hit me!"

"Who, who wants to hit you... I just wanted to knock your package down. Besides, traffic in the Star Raft Sea has always been congested. How can this be a place for your juggling and entertainment!" Seeing Guinevere's tears, Su Shang's momentum clearly weakened, but she felt she still had a point to make.

"You can't even hold your own sword steady, who can guarantee you'd hit the package? And that huge sword, it's definitely fatal if it hits, and injurious if it grazes. What am I supposed to bet against you with!"

Guinevere wiped her tears, picked up Xuanyuan from the ground, and returned it to Su Shang. She then took out a performance permit stamped by Luofu from her pocket. "I conduct myself with integrity and walk the straight and narrow. I am a legitimate street performance artist. Moreover, my performances only attract about ten people around me, so how can that be considered obstructing traffic!"

"Now look, all the prize money I worked so hard for all day is gone, and my family's dinner has been smashed into a pulp. Sob, what should I do?"

If Bai Jun were here, he would have said, "What's it to me?" and then walked away with Xuanyuan. However, Su Shang felt a pang of guilt seeing Guinevere's distress. Holding her Xuanyuan, she hesitated to leave, then quietly took out all the money from her wallet. "Take this money for now..."

Guinevere did not accept Su Shang's kindness. She shook her head forcefully, pushing back the money Su Shang offered. "Thank you for your kindness, but I don't need charity. You're right, I won't come to the Starcruiser Sea Hub to cause trouble for you all anymore..."

With a sigh, she began to pack up her scattered belongings. Seeing her dejected figure, Su Shang's guilt intensified. After a moment, as if making a firm decision, she said, "Wait for me for a moment!"

Then, under Guinevere's confused gaze, she turned and ran towards Bai Jun. Finally, amidst Bai Jun's bewildered expression, she tightly hugged his arm and loudly pleaded:

"Onegai, let's go help her!"

Bai Jun, who was sitting on a bench watching the show, was speechless.

Sigh, I'm trapped. I should have run away earlier.

Chapter 55: From Today On, Your Name Is Guinaifen

In a pastry shop frequented by Bai Jun in the Starcruiser Sea Hub, two women and one man sat at a table by the window, with Bai Jun's favorite desserts laid out before them.

As the second eldest among more than ten siblings, Guinevere's earnings were barely enough to make ends meet. She didn't have spare money for desserts; in fact, she hadn't seen such delicious treats in a long time. Just smelling the alluring sweetness made her mouth water uncontrollably.

Swallowing hard again, Guinevere quietly raised her eyes, looking nervously at Su Shang and the handsome man sitting opposite her. "Are these... bought for me?"

"Of course! Don't be shy, consider it compensation!"

Bai Jun watched Su Shang, who was using his money but acting like she was being generous. He mused that if he saw her again, he should probably keep his distance. While he didn't dislike her, he had a feeling that misfortune would follow him if he were with her.

"I've been thinking, and it really was my fault. I shouldn't have taken your sword. Ultimately, I brought this upon myself..." Guinevere gave a slightly embarrassed smile, her fork hovering hesitantly. However, her longing gaze revealed a hint of sincerity.

"It's alright. I didn't know your situation back then, so we're even. Our grievances are settled. These are from Bai Jun," Su Shang proactively picked up a few pieces of cake for her and introduced Bai Jun beside her.

Guinevere glanced at Bai Jun, then nervously lowered her head again. "Wh-why is this gentleman treating me..."

"Why? Because he's the one who threw the soda can at you."

After Su Shang naively revealed Bai Jun, Guinevere's gaze towards him gradually shifted from resentment to a more wistful one.

"Y-yes, that's right. So don't worry, eat up," Bai Jun replied in a business-like tone, but inwardly he was complaining furiously and had firmly decided not to get involved in her affairs anymore.

Upon learning that Bai Jun was the reason her prize money and dinner for the day went down the drain, Guinevere's reserved demeanor immediately changed. She devoured the desserts on the table like a whirlwind, only letting out a satisfied sound when her mouth was stuffed full like a squirrel's.

"Sooo good..."

"Eat more if you like it. Ask for more if you're still hungry. We can buy some for your younger siblings when we go back!"

"R-really! You're too kind~"

Bai Jun looked at the scene with a bit of speechlessness. It wasn't that he didn't know what to say, but there were too many things he wanted to complain about, he didn't know where to start. Setting aside the fact that these desserts were bought with his own money, these two didn't even know each other's names, yet they were already on the same side?

"Huh? Oh right, I don't even know your name. I'm Li Su Shang, and you are?"

Perhaps Su Shang could hear his thoughts, she suddenly asked Guinevere curiously. The latter responded vaguely, "Guinevere! Just call me Guinevere."

Upon hearing the name, Bai Jun's expression instantly turned odd. The image of a certain airheaded character from his past life inexplicably appeared in his mind. No, perhaps this is just a coincidence.

"Guinevere, it's so awkward to say." Su Shang tried to pronounce the name, frowning.

"There's no helping it. My name was converted into Xianzhou language based on its pronunciation, so it's bound to be a bit strange. Unlike my elder brother Lancelot, who is so smart he gave himself a good name like Lang Shile."

"Pfft—! Cough cough cough…."

Upon hearing Lancelot's name, Bai Jun almost choked. A name coincidence was one thing, but her brother's name being even more coincidental was too amusing.

"Uh, Bai Jun, what are you doing? Can you choke even while drinking tea…?" Su Shang patted his back with a hint of worry. After confirming he was alright, she turned her gaze back to Guinevere, "In that case, Guinevere, why don't you give yourself a Xianzhou name too?"

"B-but aren't Xianzhou people's names supposed to have meaning and be related to their fortune? I don't have any particular talents, so I don't dare to name myself… Oh right, Su Shang, are we friends now?" Guinevere asked.

"Of course we are!" Su Shang replied decisively.

Perhaps it was due to first impressions, but Guinevere placed great importance on the customs and culture of Xianzhou's ancient traditions. There was one saying Guinevere remembered very clearly: if a name is given by a loved one, it will surely have meaning.

Guinevere had also looked up the meaning of "loved one" in the Xianzhou dictionary. It meant both family members and close friends. Rounding it up, it meant friends, and now she finally had her first friend in Xianzhou.

"Then, if you don't mind, Shang Shang, can you give me a name!"

"Huh? Me?"

Su Shang pointed at herself in disbelief. She never imagined that one day she would be the one to name someone else. This immediately made her timid: "I-I probably can't…"

"No, you definitely can, Shang Shang!"

Hearing this, Su Shang's first reaction was to look at Bai Jun beside her. She quietly tugged at his sleeve, giving him a "what should I do" look. In return, she received a speechless expression that seemed to say, Are you kidding me?

Now there was really no other way. Su Shang looked at Guinevere's expectant eyes across from her, her thoughts becoming a tangled mess, like a thousand threads. But in a certain moment, like a misplaced string, a flash of inspiration struck. All the books she had read, all the knowledge she had accumulated in the first half of her life seemed to converge.

"It is said that 'Gui' is a beautiful tree, and 'Nai' is also a particle, and 'Fen' means fragrant. I've got it, let's call you Guinaifen!"

As soon as she said this, Bai Jun and Guinevere, sitting opposite, were both stunned. Su Shang, who had just gained a sliver of confidence, became timid again. "I-I guess I'm not good enough after all…"

"Amazing! It sounds so nice! Shang Shang, the name you gave me is so beautiful!"

Guinevere, no, it should be Guinaifen, excitedly stood up, holding Su Shang's hands, tears welling up in her eyes.

Bai Jun shook his head in astonishment, not even noticing that the tea in his cup had spilled onto his sleeve. He reached out and gently stroked Su Shang's hair, praising her for the first time, "No, it's more like you're amazing. Aren't you quite smart, Su Shang?"

"Huh? Huh! Does it really sound good…?"

The praise from both of them made Su Shang shyly scratch her cheek. The wonderful feeling of being praised for her intelligence for what seemed like the first time made her feel a little lightheaded. She casually picked up a piece of cake and started eating.

I'm actually quite good at this!

This thought flashed through her mind, and she was immediately choked by the cake in her mouth.

"Cough cough cough!"

"Shang Shang, are you okay!"

"Sigh, I take back what I said. You're hopeless…"

Chapter 56: Chest Crushing Su Shang

Having made her first proper friend in Xianzhou and received her new name, Guinaifen's mood instantly brightened.

Perhaps it was the dopamine release from the desserts, but even the fact that her day's earnings had gone down the drain didn't seem to bother her.

"This is really delicious."

She devoured the desserts on the table like a whirlwind. Not only that, even the black tea in the pot couldn't escape her grasp. After eating and drinking her fill, Guinaifen let out a satisfied burp. She patted her still-flat stomach, feeling that this was the height of earthly pleasure.

Bai Jun, looking at the nearly half-full cup of black tea in front of him, felt for the first time that there were indeed differences between people.

He considered himself someone who enjoyed sweets, but he could only eat about two plates before stopping, otherwise his body couldn't handle such high-calorie food all at once.

However, looking at Guinaifen opposite him, whose slender figure remained almost unchanged, Bai Jun suspected she might have an interdimensional stomach.

Could anyone in the world really eat so many high-calorie foods in one sitting?

Guinaifen herself, however, seemed completely unaffected by the desserts. Instead, she looked at Bai Jun expectantly, her bright, clear eyes blinking as she softly asked, "Can I bring some for my younger siblings? Ah, but don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back when I have money!"

"No problem, Bai Jun is very rich! This amount of money is definitely pocket change for him. Little Gui, just consider this compensation for him hitting you with that soda can earlier!"

Before Bai Jun could even speak, Su Shang leaned over and answered for him. Seeing her confident demeanor, Bai Jun couldn't say anything else, so he could only wipe away his cold sweat and nod.

"Thank you! And Shang Shang, did you just call me Little Gui? That's so cute!"

With the two of them chiming in, they quickly ordered all the desserts on the menu.

Bai Jun lamented his fate and tremblingly took out the few remaining Credits from his wallet, walking to the counter and handing them to the bright-eyed shopkeeper. "Take it, no need for change."

"But sir, you still owe two thousand Credits?"

"…Put it on my tab, I'll pay next month."

The shopkeeper counted the Credits handed over and reminded him with some awkwardness. Bai Jun fell silent for a long time, finally letting out a long, drawn-out sigh.

Fortunately, Bai Jun was a regular at the shop. Plus, his handsome face attracted a lot of female customers, which brought in good business. So, the shop owner decided to waive the 2,000 Credits entirely, only asking him to visit more often next month, preferably sitting by the window while enjoying some desserts.

Bai Jun didn't realize he was the one being manipulated. He just thought it was good karma from his usual good deeds, and he felt quite pleased about it.

He waited for a bit at the counter. When he came back with a large bag full of desserts, he saw Su Shang and Guinaifen were cooking up some new idea. With a look of understanding passing between them, they quickly agreed.

"Let's go, Little Junzi! We have unfinished business to attend to!"

Ignoring the teasing nickname, Bai Jun caught the mischievous grin on Guinaifen's face and felt a bad premonition. He immediately shook his head and refused, "No way. If you two want to go, you can go yourselves."

"Pleeeease, Bai Jun, will you come with me?" Su Shang tried to grab Bai Jun, but he met her with a swift chop to the hand.

"Ah, fine..." Seeing this, Guinaifen didn't press the issue further. She pulled Su Shang along, and the two of them happily ran out.

"How did their relationship heat up so fast? Is it because Su Shang is too naive...?"

Bai Jun watched their retreating figures, shaking his head in contemplation. He felt like he had forgotten something. It wasn't until Su Shang and Guinaifen had completely disappeared that he noticed the large bag of desserts still in his hand.

—Case solved. He had forgotten to give Guinaifen her ordered desserts.

Bai Jun looked at the hefty bag of sweets with a headache. Then he looked at the two figures who had long since vanished down the street, regretting not remembering sooner. Now, what was he supposed to do with all these leftover desserts?

If it were a small amount, Bai Jun could finish it in a day or two. But Guinaifen had ordered so much that he couldn't possibly finish it in two to three weeks. It was unlikely he could get a refund now, so after some thought, Bai Jun decided it was best to catch up and give Guinaifen her desserts.

As he was about to leave the dessert shop, the Jade Omen in his pocket rang. Bai Jun took it out, and the message displayed Ye Linna's name.

[No need to contact if nothing is wrong. For urgent matters, please use work phone: I've arrived home safely. Don't worry.]

[Nán Liujing: Understood.]

On the Xianzhou, this was a very common courtesy, usually said after going out with friends to let them know you've arrived home safely. He hadn't expected Ye Linna, who had only been on the Xianzhou for a few days, to have assimilated to this extent.

After Bai Jun's perfunctory reply, he thought the conversation was over. But then, several more messages popped up from her, clearly indicating she hadn't grasped the essence of the Xianzhou people.

[No need to contact if nothing is wrong. For urgent matters, please use work phone: Oh, right, Bai Jun, I'll be heading back these next few days...]