Chapter 152: Seventy Percent of It Belongs to Them! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Zhou Yi understood this last sentence.

The written form, it should be the same as what Fang Dazhuang had been telling him: "Always leave a paper trail."

"That's right, it must be in written form. You must keep this firmly in mind. And if you cannot reach an agreement, you must submit a clear objection during the public notice period!"

"Only in this way can you be considered to have truly raised an objection. Otherwise, even if you file a Lawsuit in Court, you will still have no case."

"Additionally, I must tell you, Zhou Yi, regarding this matter of repairing the Elevator, you must, absolutely must, sort out all the issues. Everything that needs to be resolved must be resolved; otherwise, once the Elevator is repaired, that is when the real trouble begins."

At this point, Fang Dazhuang smiled and said: "I will send you some materials in a moment; take a careful look at them."

"This is not just for your own home, but also for the harmony of the entire building where your parents live, because if you don't resolve the problems, they will remain problems forever."

"Oh, by the way, if you can't solve the problem, you could always solve the person who raised the problem; then there wouldn't be any problem..."

Fang Dazhuang cracked a joke at the end, a very cold one.

"Actually, many old Small Residential Districts undergoing renovations to install Elevators haven't even reached this stage yet. Often, the biggest difficulty is actually at the very beginning during installation."

"The people upstairs want to pay less, the people downstairs want to earn more, and those in the middle all have their own ideas. It's a tangled mess anyway. You handle it well, and if there's anything you don't understand, come ask me again."

Having said that, Fang Dazhuang hung up the phone.

About an hour later, Fang Dazhuang sent over a pile of materials.

Zhou Yi, who was already lying on the sofa, took a look. Sure enough, just as Fang Dazhuang had said, there really were quite a few troubles after the Elevator was repaired.

Zhou Yi began to carefully read through these materials, as this would involve his future negotiations with the neighbors upstairs.

Everyone knows that the cost of installing an Elevator is very high, but what about the fees after the Elevator is installed?

Anyone living in a Small Residential District knows one thing: regardless of whether you are on the first floor or any other floor, and whether you use the Elevator or not, you have to pay a sum of money—what is it called? It's called an Elevator fee!

In fact, many first-floor residents cannot understand this money. "I don't use the Elevator, so why should I pay you this money?"

The materials provided by Fang Dazhuang explained this part quite clearly, and the reason is very simple.

The Civil Code stipulates that owners enjoy rights and bear obligations regarding areas outside of their exclusive parts of the building.

Furthermore, one cannot refuse to bear obligations by waiving their rights.

This sounds very convoluted, but in plain language, it means that in the Small Residential District, everything outside of your own house—things like fountains, streetlights, flowers, trees, and so on—are all jointly owned by you, the owners.

The Elevator is the same.

You own a part of this thing, so whether you use it or not, you must spend money to maintain it. This is the obligation corresponding to your ownership!

Therefore, you cannot say that you won't spend money just because you don't ride the Elevator; that argument doesn't hold water.

So the question arises: the nature of an Elevator newly installed during the renovation of such an old Small Residential District is almost no different from the previous Elevators.

Should the first floor have to pay the Elevator fee?

Also, if the Elevator breaks down midway and needs a major repair, who pays for it? They are in a very old Small Residential District; can they count on a maintenance fund?

It's questionable whether one even exists now...

There are quite a few problems similar to this; it's not as if installing an Elevator solves everything once and for all.

However, Zhou Yi did not hear any discussion regarding this aspect in the words of that Qiu Mingjun.

It just felt like these people were only thinking about getting the Elevator built, and as for the problems after it was built, it seemed like they hadn't considered them at all.

That definitely won't do. Although they are neighbors, everything that needs to be made clear must be made clear.

The issue of repairing the Elevator, as well as the issues after the Elevator is repaired, cannot be decided on a whim.

After putting the materials away, Zhou Yi planned to go to the Property Management office to ask.

He went out all the way and headed straight for the Property Management office. Come to think of it, he had never been to the Property Management office of this old Small Residential District even once.

If one were to talk about responsibility, at least they were much more responsible than the Property Management at the Yuefu Residential Quarter before; at the very least, the environmental hygiene of the Small Residential District was done quite well.

He arrived at the Property Management office, where there were many offices, and soon found a place that looked like a reception and payment desk.

"Um, hello, I would like to ask, regarding the newly installed Elevator in Building No. 5, who is in charge of this here at the Property Management?"

Zhou Yi looked at the two young women in charge of collecting fees inside and asked.

He was sure these people wouldn't know; such a matter must have a leader from the Property Management in charge of following up.

"Newly installed Elevator in Building No. 5?" The woman with her hair draped down looked at Zhou Yi, then turned to her colleague and said: "Is there a matter of a newly installed Elevator in Building No. 5?"

The colleague was also a bit puzzled: "It seems there is, I don't know who I heard it from before, but I don't know either."

Looking at Zhou Yi, the woman with her hair draped down then said: "We aren't very clear about this either, how about I ask our leader."

"Alright, that would be great!"

Zhou Mouren was very happy. Although they said they didn't know, at the very least they were helping to ask.

Not long after, the long-haired woman finished asking over the phone and then said: "Sir, I just asked our leader, and he said that this matter is being followed up by Deputy Manager Fan, but the Property Management is only coordinating, and the specific situation is unclear."

"Then where is this Manager Fan?"

"He shouldn't be at the Property Management office right now, I don't know."

"Alright then. By the way, please register me. I am a resident of the east unit on the first floor of Building No. 5. My parents have been busy lately, so if there are any more meetings or anything related to the Elevator repair, just find me."

This was certainly no problem, and the long-haired woman quickly registered him, taking down Zhou Yi's contact information.

After walking out of the Property Management office, Zhou Yi didn't go home; he planned to walk around the Small Residential District and chat with neighbors from other buildings in the district.

On the other side, Qiu Mingjun had returned home, but his expression was not very good. After hesitating for a moment, he took out his mobile phone.

"Hello, Lao Guo, oh it's me. I just went to Wang Daye's house and saw the son of Lao Zhou from downstairs."

"That's right, he was telling me something about how it affects the sunlight in his house, and also said the Elevator has noise. I reckon he's looking for money!"

Lao Guo on the other end of the phone said directly: "No, this precedent absolutely cannot be set. If he gets money, what about the other family on the first floor? Do we give it to them or not?"

"And the second floor, the second floor will definitely want money too!"

"We didn't even make them pay for it, and now they are planning to ask for money? Absolutely not!"

"Besides, I asked my son last time, and my son also said that there is currently no regulation saying that any compensation must be given. Why should we give it? They don't use the Elevator, so they don't need to pay money; that's enough. And they still want money..."

"Tomorrow we'll go to their house and make it clear to them. Just tell them that things aren't like they used to be. My son said that according to the new Civil Law, it's not the case that the Elevator can't be installed just because their family doesn't agree."

Qiu Mingjun nodded and said, "That's fine then. Since there are regulations in this regard, there will be no problem if we just follow the law."

After a pause, Qiu Mingjun added with a hint of envy, "Whatever your son says must be right; he is, after all, a university student at Handong University of Political Science and Law."

These words hit exactly where it itched for Lao Guo.

He said quite proudly, "Ahem, it's just Handong University of Political Science and Law, it's actually nothing much. Besides, he said he must take the postgraduate entrance exam later, and wants to apply to some university of political science and law in Modu..."

"He said that's the only way to become a good Lawyer after graduating..."

"Sigh, look at my educational background as a father, it can't compare to that child's. He's been finding all sorts of legal grounds for us this time. You see, education is still useful; we really must let the child study hard..."

Qiu Mingjun didn't want to chat anymore once the topic reached this point; the other party would never stop once he started showing off his child.

Therefore, after listening for a while, he smiled and said, "Well, Lao Guo, I have something to attend to here, so I'll hang up first."

However, after hanging up the phone, Qiu Mingjun thought of his own son who also went to university, and suddenly felt a surge of anger.

Other people's children—ah, just listen to that—studying law at Handong University of Political Science and Law. It is said that now that he's back for summer break, he can even intern at the Court in Lincheng.

He wants to take the postgraduate exam later and become a great Lawyer; just hearing that, he has a bright future.

When there's an issue at home now that requires legal advice, there's no need to go find a Lawyer; his son is even more capable than a Lawyer.

He can provide a logical explanation for anything he's asked.

Then look at his own, not studying hard, not listening to words, and knowing only how to go online and play games all day long.

If he's not playing games, he's glued to his phone; he's truly a waste!

He doesn't get up during the day and doesn't sleep at night.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He went straight to his son's bedroom and saw him lying on the bed playing on his phone.

"You're still playing on your phone? Get up and read your books, prepare for the postgraduate exam! If you don't prepare now, your future will be gone, do you know that!"

While scolding, he pulled at the quilt, leaving his son, who had been happily reading a novel, completely bewildered.

What's wrong with this old man? What kind of fit is he throwing? Why is he suddenly making him take the postgraduate exam...

The room was suddenly in chaos.

Time passed slowly like this. Zhou Yi dragged his two legs back home; he had stood for too long this afternoon.

After asking around, the situation in the Small Residential District was still quite complicated.

Their old Small Residential District only had about ten buildings, not many, and it seemed that only their building was planning to install an Elevator.

The other buildings were likely waiting and watching; once they had a result here, they would then prepare to copy their homework.

This was also a very normal situation. On some major matters, many people wanted to wait for others to scout the path first and be the lead goose.

And because his building had a special situation, with many elderly people living upstairs, there was an urgent need to install an Elevator now.

"Mom, I ran into our neighbor from the sixth floor today."

"Looking at their attitude, it seems they don't intend to give us any compensation."

Upon hearing this, Mother Zhou hesitated and said, "Xiao Yi, after all, we are all neighbors; we certainly shouldn't ask for too much compensation..."

"Mom, I never intended to ask for a lot of money. Just giving some is fine. With me here now, our family isn't short on money. If we can avoid disputes, we should avoid them."

"It's mainly their attitude; it's as if they think not making us pay is already doing us a favor, which makes me feel very uncomfortable."

After all, this matter was different from Xu Yufeng; Zhou Yi never thought of opening his mouth like a lion, and a little less would be no problem.

"So Mom, if there's anything else later, I'll step forward. You guys just say you're busy."

Father Zhou and Mother Zhou nodded in agreement.

The night passed without incident.

Zhou Mouren slept in very late the next day.

It must be said that sleeping in is addictive, and after returning home, he felt that sleeping in this bed was very comfortable, and he just wanted to stay entangled with this quilt until death.

It's not that I don't want to get up, it's that this quilt has a mind of its own!

As a result, after finally managing to get up and wash his face, he heard someone knocking on the door.

While brushing his teeth, Zhou Yi went to the door: "Mmm, coming."

Opening the door, he saw that it was that Uncle Qiu from yesterday, along with another man he didn't recognize.

"Uncle Qiu, come in and sit," Zhou Yi greeted at the door.

"Xiao Zhou, you're the only one home? Where are your parents?" Qiu Mingjun looked around after entering and then asked.

Zhou Yi hurriedly finished his business in a rush, then wiped his mouth and said, "My parents? They went out in the morning. I just got up too."

"Oh, they went out, huh? Then we... Xiao Zhou, look, this is also our neighbor from the sixth floor, from the west unit, Guo Hongtu."

"Oh, Uncle Guo, come in and sit. I'll go pour you some water."

"No rush, no rush, Xiao Zhou. Uncle Guo and I came today mainly to discuss the Elevator installation consent form with your parents."

This actually made them a bit conflicted. They had gone to Wang Daye's house first, but Wang Daye, who had been a bit reluctant before, was actually difficult to talk to this time.

He said that issues like lighting really needed to be resolved.

Qiu Mingjun felt that it must be because Zhou Yi had said something to Wang Daye.

So after the two discussed it, they decided to come to Zhou Yi's place to talk first.

"Oh, the Elevator consent form. Uncle Qiu, I told you yesterday, you have to solve the problem. If the problem can't be solved, we certainly can't sign this consent form, right?" Zhou Yi said as he put down two cups of water.

Qiu Mingjun said helplessly, "Xiao Zhou, look, why don't you call your parents to inform them? This matter, you..."

"No need, Uncle Qiu. My parents have been busy lately. I'm the one who makes the decisions for my family on this matter."

At this, Qiu Mingjun could only say, "Xiao Zhou, look, we are really not trying to force you. It's mainly that the elderly people upstairs, you know, it's really hard for them to go downstairs."

"They truly, truly need this Elevator. We have all been neighbors for many years; we should still show some understanding where we can..."

"Uncle Guo and I are both sons. We must be concerned about our parents' affairs. We also hope, hope that everyone can show mutual consideration and understand our feelings..."

Zhou Yi did not interrupt this time; he had been waiting for the other party to finish speaking.

To be reasonable, if it were any other matter, he would have retorted directly.

But this was the other party fulfilling their filial duty, so no matter what, Zhou Yi would not say anything about this matter; this was a virtue.

However, even if it is a virtue, it cannot just be understood.

Therefore, after the other party finished speaking, Zhou Yi replied: "Uncle Qiu, I can understand your heart."

"But, my parents are also getting on in years, and installing the Elevator at the entrance of the unit will truly block the natural light in my family's living room; this is also a real, existing problem!"

"And there is the noise and such; since it seems we should be considerate of each other, you also have to be considerate of our problems, right?"

You cannot say that because you have elderly people and you want to fulfill your filial duty, my parents' side must have their natural light affected.

Who would be willing to live in a dark house? Whether there is natural light is very important for a house!

Qiu Mingjun was about to say something more, but Lao Guo could no longer hold back.

His temper was not very good to begin with, so he said right then: "Stop with the 'considerate' or 'not considerate'; isn't your family just wanting money?"

"What's wrong? Are your parents too embarrassed to say this now, so they let a little kid like you say it?"

Normal updates have resumed. One chapter in the morning to soothe the throat, and two chapters released back-to-back in the afternoon to quench the thirst. Please send over all kinds of tickets and such. Thanks to brothers Wen Chi, timiqi, Dan Di Zhi Yan, Book Friend 2019, Yi Chun, and Qi Liang for their tips, thank you.

(End of this chapter)