Mei Xiao, from Southwest China's Chongqing, shows photos taken with strangers. (Photo/Chongqing Morning Post)
(ECNS) -- A young man from Southwest China's Chongqing took smiling photos with more than 3,000 strangers in nine months, a mission he undertook to improve his courage and spread positive energy.
After finishing his higher education at a vocational school in 2012, Mei Xiao did many jobs — as an ordinary worker in Chongqing, a fitness instructor, a startup founder and currently a movie extra working at Hengdian World Studios in Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province.
The 23-year-old said he gave up previous jobs mainly because they were too physically demanding for him and that he realized a real passion for acting, although he couldn't find a chance to play even an insignificant role at the start.
Undaunted by failure, Mei said he started to jog while wearing bizarre outfits and took photos with strangers to attract attention and also test his courage.
"I insist on trying everything, big or small," said Mei, adding that jogging has empowered him to be optimistic and not discouraged.
His warm invitation to take smiling photos was not always successful and sometimes met with ridicule, but still more than 3,000 people agreed to pose with him.
Mei still continues taking photos with strangers whenever he has time. Now he aims to make the number bigger to apply for a Guinness Record.
"It's said that people who smile a lot will have good luck, and I wish my dreams come true," he noted.
