Chapter 29: Setting the Stage

"By the way, Old Sir, are there any renowned sects in this area? You know, like ones that train people like me?" Li Huowan asked the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Of course there are! In Xijing City, there's a monastery where people say the Buddha there is famous for granting prayers for children!" Lü Zhuangyuan replied enthusiastically.

A monastery? Li Huowan immediately thought of what Dan Yangzi had mentioned before. He had once been chased by monks, though it was unclear if it was from this specific monastery.

Li Huowan made a mental note of this. No matter what, anyone opposing an evil like Dan Yangzi had to be on the side of good.

"But, young Daoist, you're a Daoist priest. Isn't it a bit awkward for you to visit a Buddhist monastery?" Lü Zhuangyuan said with a teasing smile.

Looking down at his Daoist robe, Li Huowan realized the man had a point. He wasn't a real Daoist after all—perhaps it was time to change his attire.

"How's business been for you lately, Old Sir? Doing alright?" Li Huowan asked, changing the subject.

Sensing the shift, Lü Zhuangyuan quickly latched onto the topic.

"Alright? Hah, far from it! After the great drought followed by the floods, times have been hard. Ordinary folks have no money, and fewer still can afford to watch our shows or give tips. Even wealthy families skimp out on hiring opera troupes for funerals—nowadays, it's just a meal, and that's it. Bah! Such ungrateful children!" Lü Zhuangyuan grumbled.

"Things will turn around. You just need to weather this storm," Li Huowan reassured.

"Yeah, I know. We just have to hang on, don't we?" Lü Zhuangyuan sighed.

"You know, I have this dream. Once things get better, I'll travel more routes, perform more shows, and save every copper I can. Someday, I'll buy a proper opera house in Xijing City, one that belongs to the Lü family. When that day comes, I'll have no regrets, even if I die."

"With an opera house of our own, my son and granddaughter wouldn't have to suffer like me. They could stay home and focus on their studies. Who knows? Maybe one day, the Lü family's ancestral grave will emit blue smoke, and we'll have a top scholar among us! Hahaha!" Lü Zhuangyuan chuckled as he puffed on his pipe.

Li Huowan quietly listened to the old man's dreams for the future. In truth, he envied him. To live to such an age and still have a goal to strive for—that was something.

Under the leadership of both Li Huowan and Lü Zhuangyuan, the tension between the two groups eased significantly.

At the very least, Lü Juren (the elder son) and Lü Xiucai (the younger son) no longer mistook Gouwa and the others for monsters. They now understood they were just people suffering from serious illnesses.

Illness—well, that couldn't be helped. Anyone could fall ill. Weren't they all just unfortunate souls?

When the group arrived at Wuligang, Luo Juanhua had even become comfortable enough to let Bai Lingmiao hold her daughter.

Standing in the open flat area where rice grains were usually dried, Lü Zhuangyuan turned to the villagers eating their evening meals under the eaves of their homes. "Alright, Wuligang has plenty of people. We'll set up shop here. Lü Troupe is opening! Raise the stage!"

The Lü family was preparing to perform. Li Huowan decided not to rush off. After traveling so far, everyone was tired. This was the perfect chance for his group to take a break.

As for opera, this ancient form of entertainment didn't particularly excite Li Huowan, but the others were clearly intrigued. They eagerly went over to lend a hand.

Tall bamboo poles were cut and raised to hold up bright red fabric, and the stage slowly began to take shape.

Lying on a golden pile of straw in the field, Li Huowan dozed off. Suddenly, he felt someone poking his nose. Opening his eyes, he found Bai Lingmiao smiling down at him.

She held up a golden, shiny object with both hands, her face full of excitement. "Brother Li, look! Such a bright copper mirror! It shows people so clearly! They use it to do their makeup for performances!"

"It's not even dark yet, and you've already taken off your eye covering. Aren't you afraid—"

Li Huowan's words trailed off abruptly. He was staring at his reflection in the mirror, stunned by how unfamiliar he looked.

"Brother Li, what's wrong?" Bai Lingmiao noticed something was off.

"Bai Shimei, when I was at Qingfeng Temple, did I... look like this?" Li Huowan hesitantly touched his face.

"Yeah, you've always looked like this. Why?" Bai Lingmiao asked, puzzled.

Dropping his hand from his face, Li Huowan reached toward the reflection in the mirror. It was still his face.

But he realized he was no longer a boy. His time in this world wasn't as short as he had thought—it had already been a while.

"If the hospital was real, then back then, I couldn't have been older than seventeen. So how old am I now?"

He could ask the question, but he couldn't answer it. Along with his fragmented memories, he had also lost track of his age.

Judging from his appearance, he guessed he wasn't past thirty yet.

Li Huowan searched his chaotic memories for answers but came up empty-handed.

"Brother Li, what's wrong? Are you okay? Don't scare me," Bai Lingmiao said, her voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine. I just remembered something, that's all. Go return the mirror. The Lü family will need it for their performance soon," Li Huowan said, forcing a smile.

"Alright." Bai Lingmiao carried the mirror back to the makeshift backstage.

"Ehh~ Ahh~" Lü Juren's voice echoed as he warmed up in the distance. Watching him, Li Huowan chuckled bitterly and lay back down on the straw. "Man... my life really is a joke."

Surprisingly, he felt no intense emotions—just a strange calm. He added a new goal to his list: to figure out his real age.

That night, the sky was clear, with the full moon shining brightly over the simple stage.

News of the opera troupe's arrival had spread quickly, and nearly everyone in Wuligang had come to watch.

For farmers whose days consisted of little more than plowing and sleeping, a traveling opera troupe was a rare treat.

The Lü family troupe was small, with only six members, including a two-year-old who couldn't yet speak.

They had to multitask—playing instruments, applying makeup, and performing—all with minimal resources. But the audience didn't mind. They sat on their own stools, thoroughly enjoying the show.

Li Huowan and the others lay on the straw, watching the performance from afar. He didn't know much about opera and had no idea which play they were performing.

The only character he recognized was Lü Zhuangyuan, who was dressed in blackface makeup, a long beard, and wielding a guandao (a traditional Chinese pole weapon). Despite his age, the man sang and acted with impressive vigor.

"Well done!!!" Cheers erupted from the crowd, startling Li Huowan.

One act after another, the field was packed with villagers, their faces glowing with excitement. The Lü family performed tirelessly, drenched in sweat, while the audience remained enraptured. Only Li Huowan seemed like a detached observer.

By the time the moon reached its zenith, the show was nearing its end.

That's when Li Huowan saw Luo Juanhua step onto the stage, still in costume. Holding her daughter in one arm and a wicker basket in the other, she cried out mournfully:

"My cruel uncle drove me away~~"

"Like a lonely wild goose, I drift~~ Ahh~ Ahhh~"

"Like roadside weeds, trampled by all~~ Ahhh~ Ahhh~~"

"We suffer hunger and cold, unbearable pain~~ Unbearable pain~~"

"And so, we beg for food in the streets~~"

At this line, Luo Juanhua gave her daughter a small pinch on the bottom. Right on cue, the two-year-old burst into tears.

Translation Notes and Background Explanations

1. Lü Zhuangyuan's Dream of an Opera House: Lü Zhuangyuan's desire to buy an opera house in Xijing City reflects the aspirations of rural artists in traditional Chinese society. Opera troupes were often itinerant, traveling from village to village and performing in makeshift venues. Owning a permanent opera house represented stability, prestige, and a chance for upward mobility—a dream that resonated deeply with many artists of the time.

2. The Guandao and Lü Zhuangyuan's Role: The guandao, a traditional Chinese pole weapon often associated with the historical figure Guan Yu, is a symbol of strength and martial virtue. In Chinese opera, performers wielding the guandao often portray righteous and heroic characters. Lü Zhuangyuan's role as such a character highlights his dedication to his craft, even at his advanced age, and underscores the hard work and physical demands placed on opera performers.

3. The Role of Opera in Rural Life: In rural China, opera troupes like the Lü family provided one of the few forms of entertainment for farming communities. Their performances were not just a diversion but also a way to preserve and pass down stories, values, and cultural traditions. The audience's enthusiastic reaction to the Lü family's performance demonstrates how deeply such art was appreciated, even when resources were scarce.