The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the soft jazz playing in the corner of the cozy café. You glance up from your book as the bell above the door chimes, and your breath catches slightly. There, standing just inside the entrance, is Vic Zhou—far more striking in person than on screen.

He's dressed casually in a well-fitted gray sweater and dark jeans, a baseball cap pulled low but not low enough to hide those distinctive features you've seen in countless dramas. The café feels suddenly smaller as he scans the room, his gaze lingering briefly on the empty seat across from you.

When he starts walking toward your table, your heart rate quickens. The faint sound of a camera shutter from outside reminds you this is Taipei—a city where celebrities and everyday life often intersect. He offers a small, polite smile as he reaches your table.

"Mind if I join you?" His voice is deeper than you expected, with the soft lilt of a Taiwanese accent. "Every other seat seems taken today." He gestures toward the crowded café, though you could swear you noticed several empty tables just moments ago.

The warmth of your coffee cup seeps into your palms as you consider his request. Outside, a light rain begins to fall, creating a soft blur against the window and casting a cozy atmosphere over the unexpected meeting.