Several of Mei Xiao’s selfies with strangers. (Photo/Chongqing Morning News)

If a stranger asked to take a selfie with you, would you say yes? Recently, a large collection of selfies went viral online. The subjects of the photos are the same young man together with 3,000 smiling strangers.

Mei Xiao, 23, spent nine months capturing the photos for the project. He is currently employed as an extra at Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang province.

Mei began working as an amateur actor when he was in school, and has dreamed of becoming a real actor ever since. He went to work in a factory after graduating from vocational school in June 2012, only to change jobs twice due to health issues. To improve his health, Mei began to go running. Eventually he started working as a fitness coach, even starting his own business. However, he eventually realized that his dream was still to act.

Mei went to Hengdian in June 2016. One week later, having made no headway in his new career, he decided to go running in strange outfits to attract people's attention. Soon enough, an even bolder idea came to his mind: taking selfies with strangers.

“Some people were very cautious and some refused outright,” he said. He always told the strangers about his dream of becoming an actor, attempting to pass on his optimism. Most people were supportive and encouraging.

“I had seen similar things abroad and never thought it would happen to me,”said Zhou Yifeng, one of the 3,000 people that took selfies with Mei. Zhou found the experience quite meaningful after hearing Mei’s story.

Mei takes the selfies with his mobile phone whenever he has spare time. He plans to continue taking selfies with strangers, and hopefully set a new Guinness world record.

“People say that those who smile can avoid bad luck. I hope my dream can come true one day,” Mei said earnestly.