[Explanation] 16 years ago, Chen Tinghai and his wife Liu Zhijun were in debt of nearly one million yuan because the purchaser fled with the money.

During the 16 years, he and his wife and children lived frugally and paid off their debts little by little.

Recently, the reporter came to Hongguang Village, Banyue Town, Dangyang City, Hubei Province to interview Chen Tinghai and his wife about their debt repayment process.

　　[Explanation] Chen Tinghai is 62 years old this year. He used to be a grain broker in Hongguang Village.

In May 2006, more than 200 villagers in Hongguang Village handed over 1 million catties of rapeseed worth 980,000 yuan to Chen Tinghai for sale.

　　[Explanation] At this time, a grease factory that had been doing business with them offered generous terms for dividends.

Thinking of increasing the income of the villagers, Chen Tinghai agreed.

Unexpectedly, not long after, the owner of the oil factory "ran away". Afterwards, the owner of the oil factory was arrested by the police, but the money could not be returned.

　　[Concurrent] Chen Tinghai

　　At that time, I was also harvesting agricultural and sideline products, our local rapeseed. At that time, the funds were not so much, and the turnover was not enough. Later, the factory closed down, and he did not have so much money to pay us back, so there were so many debts. The boss ran away, and the debts were reduced It fell on me.

　　[Explanation] Liu Zhijun said that she had imagined countless times that someone would come to collect debts, but no villagers came.

The trust of the villagers moved the couple deeply. Although Chen Tinghai was not responsible for all the debts, in order to give an explanation to the villagers, the couple decided to bear all the debts.

　　[Concurrent] Liu Zhijun

　　At that time, it was really difficult to get through that test. I felt like the sky was falling, and I almost couldn’t make it through, so I slowly corrected my mentality and told myself to be stronger.

(At that time) none of the villagers came to ask about our debts. (From that time on), I vowed to cheer up and earn and pay back slowly.

　　[Explanation] The couple sold all the pigs, chickens, ducks, rations, etc. in the family, and went door-to-door with the money to explain the situation, promising to find a way to repay the rest of the arrears, but many villagers wanted to get rid of the money account.

Liu Zhijun asked his relatives to notify everyone to come and collect the rapeseed oil they owed, but no one responded.

　　[Concurrent] Yang Zhiqiong, a villager in Hongguang Village, Banyue Town, Dangyang City, Hubei Province

　　He is very trustworthy, and he helped us when we were in trouble, so we all trust him, and we can help him at this time.

　　[Explanation] With the help of the village committee, the couple integrated 13 acres of their own land and transferred land, and worked hard every day from morning to night.

Apart from buying daily necessities and paying electricity bills, the couple refused to make any consumption, and the clothes and shoes were old things sent by relatives.

Because of the debt problem, his son Chao Chen gave up the opportunity to study abroad, and after working, he gave most of his monthly income to his father to pay off the debt.

　　[Explanation] Opening the account book of the couple's debts, there are densely recorded details of debts and repayments. At the most difficult time, he only repaid 100 yuan.

In December 2022, Chen Tinghai handed over the last three arrears to three villagers. So far, all the debts related to rapeseed of 980,000 yuan have been paid off.

　　[Concurrent] Chen Tinghai

　　We think it is a Chinese tradition to be honest and honest. Originally, we don’t have to repay these debts, but I think we should be more honest in life, and we feel happier when we pay off other people’s money.

　　[Explanation] After Chen Tinghai's deeds were reported by the media, his story of keeping promises like gold touched many people.

All walks of life in Yichang also extended a helping hand. Many enthusiastic citizens of Yichang came to Hongguang Village to visit Chen Tinghai and Liu Zhijun, and wished them to pay off their debts as soon as possible and enjoy their old age peacefully.

Chen Tinghai has successively won the titles of "Yichang Model", "Hubei Good Man" and "China Good Man".

　　[Explanation] Since I have borrowed a lot of money over the years to demolish the east wall to pay the west wall, there will be new debts after the old debts are paid off, but Chen Tinghai said frankly that he no longer has the previous "guilty feeling", and he has to work harder in the new year Row.

　　[Concurrent] Chen Tinghai

　　This is what we should do. We feel very ashamed to be awarded such a high honor as a "good man of China". We think this is a very common thing, and it is also an encouragement to us. We must do our best.

In the new year, we strive to plant the farmland well, harvest agricultural and sideline products when our health allows, and continue to earn money to pay off our debts.

　　Reported by Dong Xiaobin, Zhang Qianlong, Hu Yuwen, Hubei Dangyang

Responsible editor: [Peng Dawei]