How a China delivery rider saved US$160,000 in five years to pay off his debts

A frugal food-delivery rider in China who saved 1.12 million yuan (US$160,000) in just five years has gone viral online, earning admiration for his discipline and work ethic. Zhang Xueqiang, 25, moved to Shanghai in 2020 to work as a delivery rider for a major platform after a breakfast shop he ran with a friend in his hometown of Zhangzhou, Fujian province, shut down. The closure left him with 50,000 yuan (US$7,000) in debt.



At the end of November, Zhang posted a video on social media revealing that he had earned 1.4 million yuan from delivery work over five years. After repaying his debt and covering daily expenses, he managed to save 1.12 million yuan, he told Xinmin Evening News.



“I do not have other expenditures except very basic daily necessities,” Zhang said.

“I work for about 13 hours a day, seven days a week. Other than eating and sleeping, I spend all my time sending food to customers.”



Zhang usually starts work at 10.40am and finishes at 1am the next day. He takes only a few days off during the Chinese Spring Festival and makes sure to sleep 8.5 hours daily to maintain his energy.

‘Order King’ with plans to try again

Zhang said he often completes more than 300 orders a month, with each delivery taking about 25 minutes. Over the years, he has covered a total distance of 324,000 km.



His dedication has earned him the nicknames “Great God” and “Order King” among colleagues.



“He is not talkative, just devoted himself to delivering food. I have never seen him walk; he is always running,” said Yan, the director of the delivery station in Shanghai’s Minhang District where Zhang works.



“In our industry, a worker can earn more money by working harder. Zhang is a rare case who works extremely hard and is thrifty,” Yan added.



Zhang said he shared his story online because he felt proud of what he had achieved.

“After all, I have paid off my debts and accumulated a big amount of savings through working hard,” he said.



Looking ahead, Zhang plans to invest 800,000 yuan (US$113,000) to open two breakfast shops in Shanghai in the first half of next year.



“I failed last time. I want to try it again,” he said.