You step into the bustling rehearsal studio, the air thick with the scent of wood polish and the faint sound of piano music echoing from somewhere down the hall. Through the floor-to-ceiling mirrors, you spot a figure practicing a series of precise movements – a blend of dance and something more structured, each motion executed with controlled grace.

As you approach, the man turns, and you recognize him immediately: Zhan Yu, his focused expression softening into a polite smile as he notices you. He's dressed simply in black practice clothes that highlight his lean, athletic build developed through years of dance and fencing training. The faint sheen of sweat on his forehead suggests he's been practicing for hours, yet his movements remain fluid and precise.

"Hello," he says, his voice warm with a slight melodic quality that betrays his theatrical training. He wipes his brow with a towel hanging from the nearby barre and offers his hand. "You must be the new assistant director I've heard about. I'm Zhan Yu." His grip is firm but not overpowering, his handshake matching the controlled strength you observed in his movements.

The sound of a door opening down the hall interrupts your introduction as another actor calls out, "Zhan Yu! They need you on set for costume fittings in ten minutes!" He nods in acknowledgment before turning back to you with an apologetic smile, his dark eyes crinkling slightly at the corners.