24-year-old stylist Martin has lived in Shanghai for eight years and cut the hair of many international customers. Caixin documented Martin’s daily life in photos, learning how the Shanghai outbreak affected him and his friends from afar. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Martin chatted with his costumers to pass the time as dyeing hair usually takes three to four hours. He is almost busy from morning to night every day. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Martin trims a customer’s hair after dyeing it blonde, the most frequently chosen hair color in the salon this year. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

A regular customer hugged Martin goodbye after getting her hair colored. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Martin was invited to a foreign customer’s birthday party, during which he chatted with his regular customers. The rural boy began learning English when he moved to Shanghai, and now chats confidently with his foreign customers. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

After a party, Martin and a foreigner added each other on WeChat. The stylist met many of his customers through introductions. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Martin brings wine he bought to an international friend’s house party after work on June 13. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Foreign customers and friends gave Martin 50,000 yuan ($7,461) totally, split between him and his business partner Jin, trying to help him get through the difficulties. His salon went out of business due to the two-month Shanghai lockdown, and monthly rent and labor costs were so high that Martin had to close it. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Annabelle gave Martin 10,000 yuan when she learned his salon would closed. Annabelle and Martin drank in front of the new salon on June 12. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Between jobs, Martin stands in front of the new salon. The lights of the buildings behind the alley illuminate the night sky. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Martin eats a box lunch in front of the store between work. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

At the end of the day, Martin stood at a fried noodle stall that he often visits on his way home. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

It was early in the morning when Martin went to bed, but before he went to sleep, he had to go through the schedule and learn to review the English. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

A foreign friend showed to Martin her used antigen tests kits. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

The herbal medication handed out by the local authorities when one of Martin’s friends contracted the Covid-19. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Martin stands in the empty store. Martin borrowed 100,000 yuan from his mother in December 2019 and partnered with his former colleague Jin to open a 40-square-meter store called Martin & Jin in Shanghai. Martin had no choice but to terminate the contract with the landlord on May 23. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Martin, whose Chinese name is Li Menghua, dropped out of school at the age of 13 and came to Shanghai at the age of 16. This is his eighth year in Shanghai. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

There are four hairdressers in the new store totally, and from left to right are Jin, Martin, Jason and Xu Chun. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin