‘King of Orders’: Chinese delivery rider saves nearly $160K in 5 years

Zhang, from Zhangzhou in Fujian Province, became a sensation on Chinese social media after posting his earnings records. He revealed that he made a total of about 1.4 million yuan during that period and, by limiting his spending to the bare essentials, was able to save roughly 80% of it, according to ETtoday.

His journey started in 2019, when a failed food business left him owing 50,000 yuan. Determined to rebuild, he moved to Shanghai and began working as a delivery rider with a single mission: clear his debt as fast as possible.

Zhang typically worked from 10:40 a.m. to 1 a.m., taking every order, rain or shine, to maximize his income. His manager, Yan, described him as quiet but exceptionally hardworking. "He always runs to complete orders and save every minute," Yan said.

A delivery worker makes a phone call on a Shenzhen street in China. Photo from Unsplash

His dedication earned him the nickname "King of Orders" among colleagues, QQ News reported. Even while pushing through 14-hour shifts, he still maintained about 8.5 hours of sleep each night to stay healthy.

Zhang attributed his financial turnaround to not just hard work but also aggressive saving. He lived with extreme frugality, spending only on necessities and working through holidays to take advantage of higher delivery fees.

His family back in Fujian remains unaware that he has both repaid his debts and built significant savings. "I failed once, but I won’t give up again," he said, adding that he intends to use the money as capital for a new business venture.

Zhang’s story has been widely viewed as an example of perseverance and discipline in China’s expanding gig economy. The trend of young, educated workers entering the delivery sector has become increasingly common amid a competitive job market. A 2024 report by recruitment platform Zhaopin, cited by Chinese outlet 163.com, found that 38% of food delivery workers in China now hold a college degree or higher, up from 26% two years earlier.

In major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, office workers earn an average of around 6,000 yuan per month, while delivery riders earn about 7,350 yuan. On peak days, hardworking riders like Zhang can earn more than 1,000 yuan, challenging the traditional notion of "high-class" and "low-class" professions.