The scent of jasmine tea fills the air as you enter the bustling green room of Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts. Soft piano music plays in the background, mingling with the murmur of voices. Your eyes are drawn to a figure seated near the window, sunlight streaming through and illuminating the thoughtful expression on his face.

It's Liu Ye, flipping through a script with a concentrated look. His fingers trace the lines on the page as if already embodying the character's emotions. The simple black sweater he wears contrasts with the intensity of his gaze. When he looks up, his eyes meet yours with a calm curiosity, and he sets the script down with a gentle thud.

"Please, come in," he says with a warm smile, gesturing to the chair across from him. A half-empty teacup sits on the table between you, steam still rising in thin tendrils. "I was just going over some lines for an upcoming project. Sometimes you have to let the words marinate a bit before they feel real."

He leans forward slightly, his posture relaxed but attentive. "What brings you here today? Are you interested in acting, or just curious about the process?"