An island's women on wheels

"Their electric bikes were parked nearby, and they were like a burst of color against the backdrop of the island. When an order came in, one of them would zip off to deliver it, only to return afterward and join the group once again," says Xie.

During the days when their husbands were out at sea, these women became each other's family, supporting one another through thick and thin. When one of them had fewer orders, the others would step in and share theirs. If a newcomer was unfamiliar with the island's streets, the experienced riders would patiently guide her. Between orders, they would pull out little mirrors and lipsticks to touch up their makeup, reminding each other that, even in their uniforms, they never forgot the importance of feeling beautiful.

"It is a life that is both modest and deeply connected, where community comes first, and every little act of kindness carries weight. These women aren't just making deliveries; they are building lives for themselves and each other, grounded in determination, sisterhood and joy," the photographer says.

Among these women is Chen Lirong, born in 1997 and the youngest and fastest of Qushan's female riders. She is also the navigator, the one steering the small team through the chaos of rising orders. Each day begins at 7 am with the routine of family: delivering her two daughters to school. By 8:30 am, her delivery box is already brimming with orders. She rides until mid-afternoon, pauses to pick up her children, and then continues the cycle — juggling work and motherhood with the precision of someone who has spent years learning to adapt.

For Chen, deliveries are more than a job; it is the first work she has ever held that allows her to earn a living while tending to her children. Even at the busiest moments, she can glance at her phone, or quickly dash out an order and return home to care for her daughters.