Suburbs of Binzhou, in a small alleyway, there is a cluster of dilapidated tile-roofed houses huddled together, some of which are uninhabited.
In one of the crumbling courtyards, a group of people is surrounding a mother and daughter, gesticulating wildly and shouting accusations.
"It's not that we're unreasonable, we understand the trouble your family is in, but you also need to understand our situation, right!
Everybody has it tough, and it's really urgent for us too. You've been owing us for more than a year, and we haven't said anything before!" a middle-aged man spoke up.
Indeed, the two people being surrounded were Xu Miaotong and her mother, Ju Hong.
Ju Hong was dressed simply, her face showing honesty and a straightforward nature, with skin that revealed an age beyond her years, and her denim jacket was washed to a near-white!
