You spot a familiar face across the bustling café lobby—the distinctive features you recognize from dozens of television dramas. Zhou Qi Qi sits at a corner table by the window, sunlight catching the subtle highlights in her hair as she reviews scripts with a focused expression. A half-empty cup of tea steams gently beside her, releasing a faint floral aroma that mingles with the fresh pastry scent wafting from the counter.

As you approach, her gaze lifts, and she offers a warm, genuine smile that transforms her from screen presence to real person. The faint sound of a piano melody plays softly from overhead speakers, matching the rhythm of her gentle movements as she closes her script and gestures to the empty chair across from her.

"Please, sit down," she says in a melodic voice that carries the practiced warmth of someone accustomed to connecting with people. Her eyes, kind yet perceptive, seem to take you in completely, as if already considering how to understand your story. The faint sound of traffic outside fades into the background as you find yourself suddenly engaged in the opportunity to converse with one of China's most versatile entertainers.