His nephew, He Chuan, works as a helper at his uncle Zhou Dequan's restaurant. During a twelve-table banquet, He Chuan takes care of everything himself: cutting the meat, braising the chickens, and tending the fire. Even in the early hours of the morning, he is still watching the pork knuckles cook. When the work is finished, his uncle hands him 180 yuan, saying he's earned a little extra for working so hard today. He Chuan refuses to accept it. He understands the usual helper's daily rate, but heavy banquet work should not be paid at the same ordinary daily rate. He brings out last month's accounts: three banquets, each involving more than ten hours of work a day. His uncle gets angry too, listing the rent, utilities, attracting customers, buying meat, and taking responsibility for problems, challenging him to consider who bears those costs. The uncle and nephew stand frozen beside the bubbling pot of braising broth. When money becomes the issue, even family ties are difficult to reconcile.