Screenshot of the surveillance footage showing 10 people having a meal together in the restaurant

 
There has been progress in the case of unpaid bills by customers at a restaurant in Jiulongpo district, Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. After mediation by the police, the diner who was left behind surnamed Zhang has paid the outstanding meal expenses, and the matter has been resolved, The Paper reported on Sunday.

Previously, 10 guests went to the restaurant for a meal, with a total consumption of 1,262 yuan ($179) on December 4. After the meal, nine of them left first, leaving only Zhang in the restaurant. The waiter then asked Zhang to settle the bill. However, Zhang, claiming that he was not the organizer and had no money on him, proposed to wait until he could contact the organizer before paying.

The owner of the restaurant had no choice but to call the police. After the police contacted the organizer, the organizer claimed to have no money and needed to raise funds, after which his phone was turned off, and he "disappeared." Through mediation by the police, Zhang wrote a letter of commitment, promising to pay the full meal fee by 6 pm on December 5. However, Zhang failed to keep his promise. Left with no alternative, the owner began preparing to file a lawsuit against Zhang.

Finally, after further mediation by the police, Zhang had paid the full meal fee on the evening of December 13, and the matter has now been resolved, according to The Paper.

Global Times