"The greatest difficulty was loneliness. Sometimes, if I wanted to talk to someone, I could only talk to the TV," said Yang, a 91-year-old woman living in the suburbs of Beijing.

Ms. Yang suffers from glaucoma and deteriorating eyesight, making simple tasks like adjusting her home's air conditioning difficult. After her husband passed away, her life became so solitary that she contemplated euthanasia.

She discussed it with her son but abandoned the idea upon learning that Chinese law does not permit it. "I once told my son that if euthanasia were ever legalized, I would want to do it because I no longer wished to live," she recounted.

Wang Yingwei (right) with an elderly client. Photo: BBC

Such cases are increasingly common in Chinese cities. Teresa Kuan, an associate professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, suggests this situation is worsening due to significant changes in social structure and how people interact.

Workers migrating from rural areas to cities for economic opportunities often leave behind their established support networks. Young university graduates frequently move far from their families for employment. In urban environments, feelings of loneliness and insecurity can be challenging for many to overcome.

To fill this void, a service industry specializing in companionship is growing in China. It caters to those lacking social connections, from elderly individuals to young people living far from family.

"The community's shared children"

Ms. Yang's life changed thanks to Wang Yingwei, who manages a team that delivers meals by electric moped. His team visits her home two times daily, bringing hot meals. Their work extends beyond food delivery to include companionship and help with household chores. His service costs less than one-half of hiring a private caregiver.

"We see ourselves as the community's shared children," Yingwei said.

He and his staff always put themselves in the shoes of elderly people, carefully considering their needs. For example, if an elderly client experiences cloudy tap water with high lime content, he might install a water filter. If a bathroom fixture breaks, making bathing inconvenient, he will purchase replacement parts.

"Even small things like these can bring them much joy," he said. "Elderly people treat us like their children, and we treat them like our parents."

Yingwei, a former mobile phone salesperson, started his company to help elderly people continue living at home instead of moving into nursing homes. This idea stemmed from his own life; his father-in-law developed Alzheimer's and had to enter a nursing home where conditions were substandard.

He decided to help other elderly people avoid similar facilities, extending their home-based lives as long as possible. His small business currently has 4 employees, but he plans to expand operations once demand increases.

Zheng Ruizhi (right) regards Wang Yingwei as a son. Photo: BBC

The industry for elderly care and companionship has grown in recent years. Sinolink Securities estimates this sector will be worth around 7,4 billion USD by 2025, with its size projected to continue increasing alongside changes in modern lifestyles.

Not only elderly people need companionship

Liu Yanyan, 23 years old, works as a patient support companion for medical appointments. She accompanies clients to hospitals, retrieves test results, or buys medication at large medical facilities, where administrative procedures can be confusing for patients.

Liu said some of her clients are in their twenties, having moved to Beijing to start their careers without friends in the city. They may also hesitate to ask colleagues to accompany them to appointments due to the concept of reciprocity in Chinese culture.

"If someone asks you to go to the hospital with them, they might feel awkward, wanting to treat you to a meal or buy movie tickets in return," she explained. Many people therefore choose to hire a companion rather than ask an acquaintance, to avoid anxiety when going to appointments alone.

Liu Yanyan specializes in "accompanying" those who must go to medical appointments alone. Photo: BBC

Expert Teresa Kuan observes that some people prefer to share their innermost thoughts with strangers and are willing to pay for such services. The relationship between client and hired companion has clearer boundaries than typical friendships.

"In a 'service' relationship, you don't face the unpredictability of a normal relationship. Friendships can be unpredictable; you don't know when others will disappoint you. But with a service, you can better envision what will happen," she explained.

Wang Zhoutao, who organizes climbing trips to Huangshan Mountain in Anhui province, also offers companionship services. A former soldier, he typically guides clients on mountain climbs 10-15 days each month, sometimes up to 30 trips when his schedule is full.

His work involves motivating clients, taking photos, and telling humorous stories to help them feel at ease.

Wang Zhoutao (right) on a mountain climbing trip with a client. Photo: BBC

Zhoutao once met a young woman who felt isolated at work and wanted to prove her worth. During a hot weather climb, she nearly gave up. Zhoutao continuously encouraged her to continue. After conquering the mountain, the woman sent him a long message, detailing significant internal changes and expressing gratitude.

"Life's pace today is too fast. People face pressure from work, relationships, and family expectations," he said, adding that his clients are largely individuals who feel hurt in relationships or have recently experienced failure.

Thanh Danh (According to BBC)