Director: Feng Jiming

Synopsis

Xiaokang, a migrant worker, returns to his hometown. Xiaoma, an old friend he has not seen for years, picks him up at the station on a motorcycle. Because the motorcycle breaks down, they have to spend a night in the county town. With nothing to do, they decide to play pool, their favorite pastime in the old days. But times have changed: in the pool hall Xiaokang looks at Xiaoma and realizes that the joy of the past is gone and that they have both changed. At night Xiaokang's phone keeps buzzing while Xiaoma sits bored on the bed eating chips. His boss keeps messaging to scold him for disappearing without explanation, and Xiaokang hides in the corridor to reply. Late at night Xiaoma tosses a key to Xiaokang, who wakes up and asks where it came from. Xiaoma says the girl they both used to like gave it to him; the wooden cabin has been torn down and he does not know what the key is for, so he gives it back. Xiaokang says he wants to go back and see the place. The two ride the motorcycle to the dilapidated cabin. The past is gone. As Xiaokang touches the places he once knew best, he suddenly finds that the key hanging around his neck is missing. Then Xiaoma comes over with the magnifying glass Xiaokang used to have. Through the magnifying glass Xiaokang returns to his old home and sees his mother asleep. In a swimming pool he paddles forward; he is still on his way.