Every Peking Opera troupe has a leading actor and actress who portray the roles of martial males and females, the former being known as Wu Sheng and the latter as Dao Ma Dan or Woman Warriors. As the Dao Ma Dan of her Peking Opera troupe, she was so glamorous and graceful as she danced onstage. With her smooth motions, the spear in her hand flew up and down through the air, dazzling and fascinating the audience. Each time, this gave the audience lots of excitement and satisfaction. 

Since she transferred to the provincial capital six months ago, Dao Ma Dan quickly become a theatrical star. Charming as she was onstage, she was unusually silent off stage. She seldom initiated a conversation. When asked questions, she was often indifferent and absent-minded. This had made Wu Sheng, her partner onstage who played martial male roles, itch to take her out on a date. 

“Going home?” Wu Sheng asked Dao Ma Dan after work. 

“Going home,” she answered. 

“Want to have some tea together?” he offered. 

“Thank you, but I can’t,” she said. 

“Come on, just a cup of tea,” he insisted. “Will you come?” 

“No, thank you,” she said. As she said this, she was already some distance away. 

Wu Sheng stared after her with frustration burning in his teeth. This was the 13th time he had run into a stone wall. Useless! He silently cursed himself. 

Wu Sheng was not an unreasonable person. Actually, he was a gentleman offstage. He had disguised his feelings properly, and never pressured her except when inviting her for tea. He knew that Dao Ma Dan’s marriage was not a happy one. He’d heard people talk. He also knew that Dao Ma Dan’s husband had tried to end their marriage. That was all he knew. He didn’t know why and no one could tell him the reason. No one knew her husband. 

As a 32-year-old man, Wu Sheng believed he had finally found his love. He could wait, even if he must wait a long time. 

On several occasions, Wu Sheng had felt that Dao Ma Dan was very tired onstage. When he sliced down with the broadsword, she was supposed to meet it with her spear. However, the spear was not well-placed. 

Once, he almost split her head with the broadsword. 

“Is everything okay?” he asked afterward. 

“Everything is fine,” she said. 

“Want to have a cup of tea together?” he again proposed. 

However, she said: “Thanks. Maybe later.” 

Again, as she said this, she was already some distance away. The martial male shook his head. When is the next time? 

Once, the troupe went away for performances and stayed the night at a country inn. Everyone was fast asleep after a hard day. During the night, Wu Sheng awoke to a strong smell of burning. Fire was everywhere! The scene was chaotic as he and others crowded one another to escape. Wu Sheng, counting those who had escaped, suddenly cried out and ran back into the fire. He felt through the fire and smoke, found Dao Ma Dan’s weak body, and lifted her onto his shoulder. His hair caught fire as he staggered out of the room. He ran and cried. For the first time, the martial male was seen crying. People marveled that a man could have so many tears. 

Then, Wu Sheng and Dao Ma Dan finally sat in a teahouse drinking tea. She said she was sorry. 

“Sorry for what?” Wu Sheng asked, touching his burned face. 

“I knew everything,” she said, “but it’s impossible.” 

“I can wait,” Wu Sheng said. 

“It’s still impossible.” 

He suggested a hug and she agreed. He hugged her. 

Then, he suggested a kiss, but she declined. 

“I can really wait,” Wu Sheng said. 

“Are you serious?” she asked. 

“Yes, I am serious,” he answered. 

“OK,” she said, “come to my house on Sunday.” 

Sunday came and Wu Sheng knocked on her door. With just one knock, the door opened as if the one inside had been waiting a long time. Dao Ma Dan was dressed in her stage costume. Wu Sheng was stunned when she pulled him into the room. Then, he saw a skinny man lying on the bed. The man tilted his head and smiled at Wu Sheng. The man asked Wu Sheng to forgive him for not being able to pour tea for his guest. 

“Let my wife pour tea for you,” said the man. 

Dao Ma Dan poured a cup of tea for Wu Sheng while the man pointed to himself and explained that his poor body couldn’t move at all. 

“I can’t go to the theater to watch her perform,” said the man, smiling apologetically. “Thus, I must watch her here at home. She has suffered a lot.” As he said this, the husband blushed, his shy look very incongruent with his thin, long stubbly contours. 

Dao Ma Dan began to move her waist and dance, now and then breaking her steps into erratic and steady ones. The spear was in full splendor in her hand, its dazzling movements staying on the gong and drum beats ringing from the tape recorder, as though thousands of horses were running in the small living room. Dao Ma Dan vigorously danced alone. Soon, a thin layer of sweat crawled onto the light makeup on her face. 

Seeing this, Wu Sheng did two somersaults to join her. He began to fight, side by side with her, to repel the nonexistent enemy. 

She smiled at him and asked: “Still wait?” 

“No longer,” he answered. 

“Sure?” she pressed for assurance. 

“Sure,” he said. 

The man began to applaud. That was their most successful performance ever.  

Selected from A World Away from Fairy Tales, compiled by China Flash Fiction Society, and published by New World Press.