Tokyo.
Shibuya Crossing.
Huge electronic screens scrolled dazzling ads. The endless streams of people, footsteps, conversations, and street performers' music blended into the clamor unique to a metropolis.
Foreigners holding up phones or cameras to film could be seen everywhere in the crowd.
Western tourists walked around filming with GoPros, while Southeast Asian visitors took turns striking poses in front of popular photo spots.
You could even hear crisp Mandarin: "Hey, stand over there a little. I want to get that ad sign in the shot!"
If one was purely traveling for fun, Tokyo was indeed far more entertaining.
Li Dan stood at the side of the crosswalk, waiting for the light to change. Not far from him, the sound of a livestream came through clearly.
"Brothers, it's fantasy time now. This might only be your fantasy, but it really is my daily life."
The young man holding up his phone to livestream was not particularly handsome, but his features came together in a comically theatrical way. His garlic-shaped nose and small eyes that always seemed to be holding back a laugh made it clear that he understood the importance of contrast for livestreaming.
The comments flew by.
"Come on, bro, have you jerked off so much you're starting to hallucinate laughter?"
"Got the guts to visit a maid café? I guarantee you'll get the same treatment as Door-chan."
"Hehe, I like that contrast where they don't want to serve me but still have to."
"Come on, guys, you're actually fantasizing now."
"Holy shit, streamer, I'm a female fan! Turn the camera to the left! There's a super handsome guy beside you!"
"Damn, sis wasn't lying! Streamer, here's a rocket—turn the camera already!"
"Thanks to 'Tokyo's Runaway Rich Lady' for the rocket! To the left, right? Okay!"
The male