144 hour visa free transit program

Please help, it's an emergency.....

My origin country is USA. I took a flight from the USA to South Africa. I need to stop in Shanghai for 2-3 days before returning to the USA. Will I be eligable for the 144 hour free program even though from Shanghai I will be returning to the USA (country of origin)?

Quick recap: USA - Africa - Shanghai, China - USA.....Does this qualify?

Thank You