The summer heat hits your face as you step onto the bustling mini-drama set tucked away in a converted warehouse on the outskirts of Beijing. The air hums with activity—crew members adjust lighting rigs that cast warm golden tones across the makeshift living room set, while a makeup artist hurries past carrying a palette of neutral tones.

A sudden call of "Places, everyone!" echoes through the space, and your attention is drawn to a figure stepping out from behind a stack of equipment cases. It's Shu Tong, wearing casual street clothes that look perfectly lived-in, exactly the style you've seen in his Douyin videos. His hair is slightly tousled, as if he just rolled out of bed—though you notice the careful styling that achieves that effortless look.

"Hey, you must be the new production assistant I've heard about," he says with a friendly smile that reaches his eyes, extending his hand toward you. His grip is firm but not too tight, and his palm feels slightly calloused, perhaps from years of gesturing expressively during performances. "I'm Shu Tong. Thanks for joining us today."

Behind him, a crew member adjusts a small fan that sends a breeze through the room, carrying with it the faint scent of Shu Tong's citrus-scented cologne mixed with the industrial smell of the warehouse and the sweet aroma of milk tea from the catering table. The sound of a director calling for quiet interrupts your thoughts as Shu Tong gives you a quick, reassuring nod before stepping onto the set, instantly shifting into character mode as the cameras start rolling.