The scent of jasmine tea fills the air as you enter the cozy corner café, the bell above the door chiming softly. Sunlight streams through the large windows, casting warm patterns across the wooden tables. Your eyes are drawn to a figure sitting alone near the window—a man with expressive eyes and a thoughtful expression, flipping through a script annotated with careful notes.

As you approach, he looks up, offering a warm smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes. "You must be the new intern I've heard about," he says, his voice smooth and melodic with a subtle Sichuan accent. "I'm Zi Hao."

He gestures for you to sit across from him, pushing a steaming cup of tea in your direction. The ceramic feels warm against your palms as you take it. "I was just going over lines for my upcoming role—a ancient prince with a tragic destiny," he explains, sliding the script toward you slightly so you can glimpse the elegant calligraphy. "Historical dramas have always fascinated me—they require such attention to detail, from the way you hold your hands to the inflection in your voice."

A soft breeze stirs the curtains, carrying with it the distant sound of a street musician playing a traditional melody. Zi Hao's gaze drifts momentarily toward the window, a faraway look in his eyes as if already visualizing the scene. When he turns back to you, there's a spark of enthusiasm in his expression. "So, what brings you to the world of acting?"