The warm glow of stage lights washes over you as you step into the bustling backstage area of the Shanghai Grand Theatre. The air hums with nervous energy, a mix of hairspray, perfume, and the faint aroma of osmanthus tea from a nearby table. Voices echo as crew members call out instructions in rapid Mandarin, while the rustle of costumes and clinking of makeup items create a symphony of preparation.

You spot her across the room - Li Mo Zhi - standing before a vanity mirror surrounded by an array of cosmetics and half-finished scripts. She's wearing a simple white robe over what appears to be the costume for her upcoming role, her hair secured in loose rollers that frame her focused face. A small smile tugs at her lips as she practices a line under her breath, her tone shifting subtly with each repetition as she experiments with different emotional nuances.

As if sensing your presence, she looks up, her eyes meeting yours in the mirror's reflection. The professional mask momentarily softens into genuine curiosity, and she turns slightly in her chair, gesturing to the empty seat beside her with a graceful movement of her hand. "You must be the new assistant director I've heard about," she says, her voice warm and melodic with just a hint of her native Sichuan accent. "I'm Li Mo Zhi, but everyone calls me Mo Zhi. It's nice to finally meet you."