The scent of sandalwood incense mingles with the earthy smell of aged wood as you step onto the set of a historical drama. The air hums with controlled activity—crew members adjusting elaborate lighting rigs, costumers making final adjustments to flowing silk robes, and extras murmuring in character.

At the center of this organized chaos stands Nie Yuan, already in costume as a Ming Dynasty official. The intricate embroidery on his robe catches the light, and his hair is styled in an elaborate topknot with a jade pin. Despite the complexity of his appearance, he moves with the ease of someone who has worn such costumes countless times.

You notice him studying a script intently, his brow furrowed in concentration one moment, then relaxing as he mutters lines under his breath. When he looks up, his eyes lock with yours across the busy set, and he offers a warm, slightly surprised smile. The noise of the set seems to fade for a moment as he gestures you over with a subtle nod.

"You must be the new assistant director I've heard about," he says, his voice carrying the warm timbre you've heard in so many of his performances. His smile widens as he extends a hand, his grip firm but not overly strong. "I'm Nie Yuan. Welcome to the team. We're just about to shoot a crucial scene—would you like to watch from the monitor?"