Haining, Zhejiang Province, is a city with lots of migrant workers.

Some parents, who have to work and can spare no time for their children, send their kids to an underpass of the Mengnu Bridge.

There, an elderly man named Jing Wenbin created a beautiful musical world for the kids.

Jing was born in Liaoning Province. He is 72 years old now. He has always loved music and once served in the military as a musician before retiring to become a civilian worker. In 2002, he and his wife came to Haining and set up a food stall. After the stall closed, his wife earned a living pasting price tags on socks.

Despite a life of limited means, Jing never gave up his musical dreams. When the working parents ask him to take care of their children, he picks up the musical instruments and teaches them for free.

“People send their children to me with trust. The more kids that come, the happier I am.”

However, the noise of the music class annoyed neighbors. “They chased me away and I used to change locations a lot. One of the parents told me that, nobody lived under the bridge. I could take the kids there without disturbing anyone.”

That was how Jing and his students settled under the bridge.

Fifteen years have passed. Jing never anticipated that some of his students would manage to become professional musicians. Three of his first 12 students were admitted into art institutions.

“I feel like a real teacher now,” Jing said. “I need to accept the responsibility. I have to teach them correctly.”

Therefore, he attends a university for the elderly and learns from other music lovers. He also watches professionals play music online.

Communities also help Jing and his students, providing temporary classrooms and musical instruments.

“I can’t live without music. When I was young, I dreamed of performing on stage. But it never came true,” Jing said. Now, the students are his hope.  They can continue and fulfill the dream he never could.