A food delivery rider in China has drawn widespread attention after saving 1.12 million yuan in just five years through strict discipline, long working hours, and minimal personal spending.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, 25-year-old Zhang Xueqiang moved to Shanghai in 2020 after his breakfast shop in Zhangzhou, a city in Fujian province, closed. The failed business left him with 50,000 yuan in debt, forcing him to start over.
Determined to rebuild his life, Zhang joined a major food delivery platform in Shanghai. Over the next five years, he worked consistently for about 13 hours a day, seven days a week. In a video shared on social media, Zhang revealed that he earned a total of 1.4 million yuan during this period. After clearing his debts and covering basic living costs, he managed to save 1.12 million yuan.
“I do not have other expenditures except very basic daily necessities,” Zhang told Xinmin Evening News. He explained that his routine leaves little room for leisure, as nearly all his time goes into delivering food. Outside of eating and sleeping, he remains on the road.
Zhang’s work schedule runs from 10:40 am until 1 am the following morning. He takes only a few days off each year, mainly during the Chinese Spring Festival. Despite the physical demands, he prioritises rest and sleeps for around 8.5 hours daily to maintain his stamina.
His efficiency sets him apart. Zhang completes more than 300 orders every month, with each delivery taking about 25 minutes. Over five years, he has travelled an estimated 324,000 kilometres. Fellow riders, impressed by his endurance and consistency, have nicknamed him “Great God” and “Order King.”
Zhang said he shared his story online out of pride in what persistence and hard work helped him achieve. Looking ahead, he plans to return to entrepreneurship. In the first half of next year, he aims to invest 800,000 yuan to open two breakfast shops in Shanghai.
For Zhang, the journey from debt to financial stability reflects a belief in discipline, patience, and steady effort. His next chapter marks a return to business, backed by the savings he built through years of relentless work.
