He gave an example of a young woman he once accompanied who felt ostracised at work. “She felt useless and wanted to prove something to herself,” he said.
“We started climbing but it was a tough trek as the weather was really hot and we were sweating a lot. There were moments she wanted to give up but I told her, ‘If you quit now and can’t get over this mountain how will you handle anything else in life?’. I kept encouraging her.”
After they made it all the way he said she sent him a long message of thanks describing her inner journey and expressing her gratitude.
“The pace of life is just too fast these days. People face pressure from work, relationships and family expectations,” he said. “I think my clients are mostly people who feel a void in their relationships or have suffered a setback.”
Human connection is a necessity but, in a society grappling with loneliness across generations, it has now also become a commodity.
Back in her little Beijing flat, Yang is feeling more comfortable now that Yingwei has sorted out her problem of making the air conditioner work properly.
“It’s good to have someone around when you need it, someone you can share your innermost thoughts with,” she said.
“I did struggle with loneliness but that’s been resolved now. I’m quite happy.
“I can’t lose Yingwei and the others. They’ve all got a good heart.”