Old Debts

Late autumn, South Street. Zhou Ming, owner of an auto repair shop, hears two things: his younger brother, Zhou Chuang, owes 300,000 yuan and has vanished; and Ma Wenyuan, his old comrade from their days hauling freight together, is back to redevelop the street and buy up the shops. Fifteen years ago, Zhou Ming took the blame for an accident and spent three years in prison. After he got out, he opened this shop and never argued, made a scene, or brought up the past. He never told anyone a word about what he was owed. Now he’s starting to talk about it, without shouting, making a scene, or throwing a punch. He seeks out old acquaintances, digs up old receipts, and writes down every day and every word in a notebook. Some people think he’s forgotten. Some are afraid he’ll remember. Someone has waited fifteen years for him to finally say something.