"When I first entered the field, the eldercare industry was still in its infancy, and policies were limited," Jing said.

He began by offering consulting services, studying regulations and operational models, and learning through trial and error."There were moments when inexperience led to costly mistakes," he said.

After nearly five years of preparation, Jing opened his first elder-care facility in Tianjin in 2014. The home focused on families with urgent, non-negotiable needs — seniors living with disabilities, Alzheimer's, or other forms of dementia.

"Finding our first client, learning how to properly care for someone with cognitive impairment or severe behavioral symptoms, ensuring their safety while protecting other residents — in the beginning, every single step was difficult," he said.

Living, not housing

Today, Time Light Care operates more than 1,800 beds across over a dozen facilities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, southwest China — including Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Chongqing — as well as parts of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Through partnerships with local governments, the group also provides custodial services for seniors who live alone, have limited income, or lack family support.

What sustained the company, Jing believes, was not rapid expansion, but trust built patiently over time.

"Clients would invite me to their homes for meals and family gatherings," he said."To truly serve them, you have to become the most trusted life partner for each family."

For Jing, the essence of quality care lies in empathy and character.

"If I put myself in the shoes of a family member, what matters most is not how many certificates a caregiver holds or how many years of experience they have," he said.

"The real question is whether I can entrust them with the life of my parents or grandparents — and feel completely at peace," he added.

Drawing partly on his experience in Taiwan, Jing describes elder care not simply as an industry, but as a "life endeavor".

"Seniors are not just residing in our facilities — they are living their lives here. We strive to preserve the routines, interests, and sense of autonomy that once brought them joy and well-being at home," he said.

To prevent institutional life from becoming isolating, the company encourages community integration. Volunteer groups and local residents regularly visit, and most facilities are located within established urban neighborhoods rather than in remote scenic areas.

"I believe high-quality interpersonal relationships are one of the most important factors affecting longevity," Jing said.

Keeping seniors close to their original communities also makes it easier for families to visit regularly and for everyday social ties to endure.

In recent years, Time Light Care has expanded beyond traditional residential institutions, exploring home-based services, hospital-based care, and assisted travel solutions — including the smart shuttle system that reflects Jing's original belief that aging should not mean losing mobility or independence.

Looking ahead, he remains guided by the same conviction that first took shape during his journey across China nearly two decades ago.

"I'm not trying to build a real-estate project or sell financial products to the wealthy," he said. "I want to create a sustainable model — one that can expand into smaller cities and truly ease the burden on ordinary families."

As government policies become clearer and more supportive, Jing sees growing opportunity in the sector.

"Today, there is a more transparent path forward," he said. "I hope more young people will pay attention to this industry and become part of building its future."