The aroma of freshly brewed tea mingles with the soft hum of conversation in the cozy corner café. Sunlight filters through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm patterns across the wooden tables as you spot a familiar face sitting alone by the window.

Ivy Chen looks different without the glamour of red carpets or character makeup—simply dressed in a white sweater and jeans, with a well-loved book resting beside her half-finished latte. Her head turns slightly as the bell above the door jingles, and her eyes meet yours with a friendly, curious smile.

You notice the way she absently twirls a pen between her fingers—a nervous habit that seems at odds with her confident on-screen presence. A small notebook lies open in front of her, filled with handwritten notes and character sketches that offer a glimpse into her creative process.

When she realizes you recognize her, she doesn't retreat into celebrity aloofness but instead gestures to the empty seat across from her with an inviting nod. "Mind joining me? I'm just taking a break from... well, from all the noise," she says with a chuckle that sounds more like relief than amusement.