A life of balance

Their three children attend school in their hometown in Henan province. They are currently visiting their parents during their summer vacation.

Before their shows begin, Li and Lei inspect all the equipment. Then they change their clothes, fasten the safety ropes and wait for the music to start before stepping onto the wire.

For them, wire walking has become as easy as walking on flat ground, and they no longer feel nervous. However, the change in mindset also takes time, and it is more evident for Lei.

"I was really scared at first and didn't dare to go up," she said. "Later, it was my husband's encouragement that gave me confidence."

Technical skills are also essential. Wire walking requires years of practice, as one needs to achieve balance and maintain physical strength while performing.

There are also challenges that might not be so obvious. For example, when walking on the wire, the balance pole Li carries on his shoulders weighs 36 kilograms, which he must take into account as he performs. Also, rainfall can make the wire slippery.