The opening gongs and drums sounded three times, yet only a few people stood before Zhang Jinxian's puppet stage.
"My string puppet skills have grown rusty?"
Zhang Jinxian moved his fingers. The female puppet began to dance.
"Old Zhang, your puppet is too small. Li Waining brought a female puppet as big as a real person."
Zhang Jinxian looked up at the Talespinner, who often told stories in the theater.
The Talespinner leaned in, "People are saying that this boy must have learned some dark arts, turning people into puppets."
Zhang Jinxian curled his lips, "Nonsense! Is it really that lifelike?"
"Of course! I saw it with my own eyes. If it weren't for the strings attached, I'd almost think it was a real person!"
With the Talespinner's exclamation, the already sparse audience began to head towards the Bian River. Seeing this, Zhang Jinxian also headed to the riverbank.
The Bian River was already crowded with people. Across the river, a young man stood on a high platform, holding several thumb-thick cotton strings. At the lower end of the strings was a female puppet the size of an adult woman. The puppet, with a dignified and elegant appearance, danced gracefully in colorful attire. Her face was rosy, lips smiling, and her black almond-shaped eyes blinked from time to time as the young man behind her pulled the strings, truly as lively and vivid as a real person.
"That is Li Waining from Min. It's said that this string puppet skill is a family tradition," the Talespinner appeared behind Zhang Jinxian.
On stage, Li Waining sang while manipulating the puppet to dance with the music. As the song ended, he released the strings, and the puppet's eyes closed, falling to the ground with a dull thud. Li Waining immediately jumped off the platform, carefully picked up the puppet, and turned backstage.
"Li Waining treasures his puppet dearly. He never lets anyone else handle its transport or maintenance. Once the puppet is off stage, he quickly places it in a padded camphor wood box, afraid of even the slightest damage. Even his own sister isn't allowed to touch it."
As the Talespinner spoke, a woman in a plain gauze garment and a heavy veil appeared before the crowd, holding a money pouch. A clear voice called out from beneath the veil:
"My brother and I are new to this place. If you have money, please support us with money; if not, support us with your presence!"
Zhang Jinxian placed a few coins into the pouch and asked, "Why do you wear a veil, miss? Is it inconvenient to be seen?"
The woman paused and said, "I have no issue being seen. However, I suffer from a strange ailment. Once exposed to the wind, my whole body itches, and I get a splitting headache."
Zhang Jinxian said no more, merely smiled playfully, and then strode away.