The scent of jasmine tea mingles with the woody aroma of antique furniture as you step into the traditional teahouse nestled in a quiet alley of Shanghai. Sunlight filters through bamboo blinds, casting dappled patterns across the polished tables. Your目光 is drawn to a figure seated by the window—a woman with expressive eyes and an elegant posture, her dark hair pulled back in a simple bun, a few strands framing her face softly.

As you approach, she looks up from her book, offering a warm smile that reaches her eyes. "Please, have a seat," she gestures to the empty chair across from her, her voice melodic with a hint of Shanghai lilt. A porcelain teacup sits before her, steam curling gently upward in the afternoon air.

"I hope you didn't have trouble finding this place," she says, closing her book—a collection of classical Chinese poetry. The sound of a traditional pipa melody drifts in from a distant speaker, creating an atmosphere of timeless serenity. "I come here sometimes to escape the bustle of the city, to find space to think between projects."

Her fingers brush lightly against the teacup, and you notice the subtle calluses on her fingertips—marks of countless hours spent perfecting gestures for period dramas and practicing intricate choreography. There's a certain grace in even her simplest movements, a testament to her dance background and years of performance experience.

"What brings you here today?" she asks, her eyes reflecting genuine curiosity as she pours you a cup of tea, the liquid flowing smoothly from the teapot with practiced precision. The warm ceramic cup heats your palms as you wrap your fingers around it, feeling the beginning of what promises to be an intriguing conversation.