“Family Stick Figure” by Xiao Laoshu in 2020. Xiao Laoshu and Spring (pseudonyms) are members of Mulan Community Service Center who record their lives on the urban fringes of Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Chatting Residents” by Spring, Beijing’s Dongshagezhuang village in 2021. Born in Henan province, Spring has worked all over China, from north to south. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Dumping Trash” by Spring, Dongshagezhuang village. She moved to Beijing in 2009 and has lived in the Dongshagezhuang for more than 10 years. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Hair Salon” by Spring, Dongshagezhuang village. She participated in a photography class at Mulan Community Service Center in 2012, kickstarting her chronicle of urban village life. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Preparing Dishes” by Spring, Dongshagezhuang village. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“New Energy Scooter” by Spring, Dongshagezhuang village. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Waiting for the Test” by Spring, Dongshagezhuang village. She said many people chose to stay in the village for this year’s Lunar New Year due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Strolling” by Spring, Dongshagezhuang village. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Cracking Down on Illegal Construction” by Spring, Dongshagezhuang village. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Day and Night” by Spring, the entrance of Dongshagezhuang village. Over the years, she has witnessed the shrinking of the village in terms of both land and population. On top of this, the pandemic has forced many to shut up shop. Photo: Spring/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Square” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Born in North China’s Hebei province, she began working in interior design in 2012 and moved to Beijing in 2015. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Dependent” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. She lived in a community located outside the 5th Ring Road, which encircles Beijing about 10 kilometers outside the city’s center. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Accompany” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. She got her first camera in college and attended photography classes at Mulan Community Service Center in 2021, which started her photography journey. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Shopping” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Restaurants” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Suburban Night” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Playground at Dusk” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Condo” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Sunset Boulevard” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Lit” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center

“Parenting” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center.

“Reflection” by Xiao Laoshu, Beijing. She took most of the photos when strolling around her community. Xiao Laoshu likes to record her own life and says she sees herself in the images. Photo: Xiao Laoshu/Courtesy of Mulan Community Service Center.