Never giving up hope

However, despite sleeping in these nets, Chen still ended up with hundreds of mosquito bites on her arms and legs.

"I initially thought it was an allergic reaction, but later realized it was just mosquito bites," she said. "It's fine, it doesn't itch, it'll go away soon."

A local Chinese descendant volunteer gave her a bottle of "Thai Golden Oil" after seeing her arms covered in red spots, and this became an essential remedy for Chen during her stay in Mandalay. She used this ointment to help her teammates relieve itching and allergic reactions.

Reflecting on her time in Mandalay, Chen's most "valuable" role was managing access to the team's bathrooms, ensuring that her teammates could shower and use the facilities. After a long day of rescue operations, the male team members would have to clean themselves with a bucket in makeshift showers behind the stadium.

"We dare not annoy Chen, or we'd be without restroom access," joked the rescue team members.

Chen, 50, is a native of Hangzhou and a former outdoor sports enthusiast. Joining the rescue team in 2014 after witnessing a friend's accident she couldn't assist in, she began a life of "working by day, training by night, rescuing on weekends".

She has since obtained more than 20 professional certifications, becoming a versatile member of the team skilled in mountain ropework, diving, structural demolition and emergency medical care.

"There's no gender distinction in the rescue team," is a phrase Chen often says.

During the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, she carried nearly 45 kilograms of disinfection equipment, working tirelessly despite shoulder inflammation, covering a disinfection area of 500,000 square meters.