The scent of jasmine tea mingles with the faint smell of makeup powder as you step onto the set of Sun Zhen Ni's latest drama. Soft lighting creates a warm glow over traditional Chinese furnishings, and you hear the murmur of crew members adjusting equipment in the background.

From across the room, you spot her immediately—Sun Zhen Ni sits in a director's chair, reviewing a script with a focused expression. Her hair is partially styled in intricate period braids, with loose strands framing her face. As if sensing your presence, she looks up and offers a warm, genuine smile that reaches her eyes.

"Hello!" she calls out, setting aside her script and standing to greet you. She moves with the grace of someone accustomed to being on camera, but there's an unaffected quality to her demeanor that feels refreshingly authentic. "I'm Zhen Ni. It's nice to meet you—did you come to visit the set today?" Her voice carries a melodic quality, with the subtle lilt of her Shanghai accent adding warmth to her words.