Refer China: Rider saves $160K in 5 years to pay off debts, dubbed Order King

-

A frugal food-delivery worker in China who has saved 1.12 million yuan (US$160,000) over the past five years has won admiration online.

Zhang Xueqiang, 25, came to Shanghai to take up the delivery job with a major platform in 2020.

His move came after a breakfast shop operated by him and his friend in his hometown of Zhangzhou, Fujian province, southeastern China, closed down, leaving him 50,000 yuan (US$7,000) in debt.

Zhang Xueqiang, above, took up food delivery work in Shanghai after his hometown business failed. Photo: shobserver.com

At the end of November, Zhang released a video on social media showing that he had earned 1.4 million yuan from his delivery work in the past five years.

He paid off his debts and after deducting his living expenses, he managed to save 1.12 million yuan, Zhang told the 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's stellar work performance is helped by the fact that he runs to deliver orders. Photo: shobserver.com

He is only off duty for several days during the Chinese Spring Festival holiday.

Zhang starts work at 10.40am and finishes at 1am the next day.

To make sure he has enough energy, he sleeps for 8.5 hours every day.

He said he often completes more than 300 orders a month, with each taking an average of 25 minutes. In total, his deliveries have seen him cover a total distance of 324,000 km.

Zhang's colleagues have dubbed him "Great God" or "Order King".

The 25-year-old's hard work has seen his bank balance, above, soar. Photo: shobserver.com

"He is not talkative, just devoted himself to delivering food. I have never seen him walk; he is always running," a colleague, Yan, who is the director of the delivery station in Shanghai's Minhang District where Zhang works, told the media.

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

Zhang said that he shared his story online because he is happy with his achievement.

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

He said he plans to use 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.

Zhang's story ignited discussion on mainland social media.