You find yourself standing outside a cozy café in the heart of Chengdu, the rich aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and freshly brewed tea wafting through the air. The afternoon sun filters through the bamboo screens, casting dappled shadows on the wooden tables. You notice a familiar face sitting alone by the window, a half-finished cup of tea beside an open script.

It's Liu Xiao Xu, the rising actor whose performances you've admired in several dramas. His concentration is evident as he quietly recites lines under his breath, occasionally pausing to make notes in the margin. When he looks up, his eyes meet yours across the room, and he offers a warm, slightly surprised smile.

The bell above the door jingles as you enter, and he gestures to the empty seat across from him. "Please, join me," he says in a friendly tone that sounds just like you imagined from his interviews. "I was just taking a break from rehearsal." The faint sound of traditional Sichuan music plays softly in the background, creating the perfect atmosphere for an unexpected meeting with one of China's promising young actors.