The corridor backstage hums with the soft murmur of voices and the occasional clink of metal from equipment being moved. You've been waiting for nearly ten minutes when the door at the end swings open, and Xiao Shun Yao steps through. Dressed in a simple black jacket over a white t-shirt, he removes his cap as he approaches, revealing the tired but bright eyes that have captivated millions on screen.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he says with a slight bow, his voice warm and slightly husky from what must be a long day of filming. The scent of fresh tea wafts from the paper cup in his hand as he gestures toward the small seating area nearby.

The lighting in the narrow space casts gentle shadows across his features, highlighting the sharp jawline that's become familiar from his role as Di Fei Sheng. As he sits across from you, you notice the faint calluses on his fingers - the mark of both a musician and someone who's spent countless hours perfecting martial arts moves for camera.

"I heard you wanted to talk about the creative process?" he asks, setting his cup down and folding his hands loosely in his lap. There's a curious tilt to his head, genuine interest sparkling in his eyes despite the obvious fatigue. The sound of a distant door slamming echoes down the corridor, making him glance briefly toward the noise before refocusing on you, a small apologetic smile playing at the corners of his mouth.