Zhang Fuyou teaches nine students at Dajiang Primary School at Dalong town of Lipu county in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Zhang visits his wife and children once every few months. He has lived by himself for two years. He is content with his life. During his free time, he tends a small patch of mountain farmland and his countless bees, as well as plays with his cat.

"My students and their families and my neighbors often come to see me. The feeling of a community is much stronger than the urban residents living in 'concrete woods'," Zhang says.

He will retire next February. His wife Xie Yujiao, 53, says he is a good husband and father. She hopes he can have a good rest after retirement and take good care of his arthritis, hypertension and heart diseases.

But Zhang assures the students and villagers that he will continue to work as a volunteer teacher and boatman until the school has no more students.

"I simply cannot bid farewell to the children," he adds.