Qibao Yijiu, by reporter Chen Dong
At around nine o'clock yesterday morning, more than ten homeowners gathered at the property management office in the Qibao Yijiu residential area of Nancheng. Each one was emotionally charged as they rallied in support of homeowner Uncle Tang. The homeowners stated that while there were usually conflicts with the property management, these were mostly minor disputes and never escalated to the extent of this incident.
One homeowner mentioned that during an argument on July 31st, a property management staff member physically assaulted someone — a 70-year-old man. The medical expenses for the elderly man's hospitalization were delayed by the property company who kept postponing payment. It wasn't until noon yesterday, under police mediation, that the property management finally compensated for the assault and apologized to the homeowner.
**Scene: Homeowners Outraged, Rallying Support for Assaulted Elder**
"We pay the property management fees every month, yet when problems arise, not only do they fail to resolve them, but they resort to physical violence. How can we, the homeowners, be satisfied with such service?" The homeowners expressed their confusion about the events that unfolded on the afternoon of the 31st. "Isn't there always room for dialogue? Under no circumstances should anyone resort to violence, especially when it involves a young man in his twenties attacking a seventy-year-old elder."
Ms. Tang said that the person who was beaten was her father. The previous afternoon, her father was sent to the Nancheng Hospital for treatment, keeping the entire family up all night. "The doctor diagnosed him with a mild concussion, and upon arrival, his blood pressure was as high as 210. We were terrified," Ms. Tang said, tears welling up in her eyes as she spoke of her father, her face filled with sorrow.
Ms. Tang added that when her father was hospitalized, the property management only paid 300 yuan for the examination fees, and the rest had to be covered out-of-pocket. "After committing such an act, they must take responsibility and cannot act as if nothing happened." Ms. Tang noted that after learning about the incident, many other homeowners expressed their indignation on her behalf and wanted to confront the property management office for answers. However, the property management’s stance was, "Everything has to wait for the police's handling results."
**Cause: Elder Steps In To Defend Neighbor, Gets Assaulted**
Ms. Zeng, another homeowner in the neighborhood, recounted the events of the previous afternoon with red-rimmed eyes and a look of deep regret. She admitted that the beating of Uncle Tang was entirely due to her family.
Ms. Zeng lives on the fourth floor, where she began renovations in March this year. At the time, she paid a 1000-yuan renovation deposit to the property management. The fourth-floor layout differs from others, featuring a roughly 50-square-meter platform outside which she has usage rights. "I usually grow flowers on it, and the elders grow vegetables," Ms. Zeng explained. Due to the large size of the platform, watering the plants became inconvenient, so she decided to build a small water pool on the balcony to make it easier.
"My father was constructing this water pool, and when he did, property management personnel came to inspect but didn’t object," Ms. Zeng said. Once her father finished building the approximately half-meter tall, one-meter square water pool, the property management intervened. "They claimed that building this water pool was against the rules and demanded that I either dismantle it or stop using it." Eventually, Ms. Zeng promised not to use the water pool anymore, and the property management agreed to refund her the 1000-yuan renovation deposit.
"However, on July 31st, when we went to the property management office to reclaim our money, they said the director who initially promised the refund had resigned, and thus the agreement was nullified. This led to an argument," Ms. Zeng recounted. Uncle Tang happened to pass by at that moment; being close friends with Ms. Zeng's father (they practiced Tai Chi together), he also stepped in to mediate. A customer service representative named Zhou Qiang (a pseudonym) verbally abused Ms. Zeng's father, prompting Uncle Tang to criticize his rude attitude. In response, Zhou Qiang struck Uncle Tang.
According to Ms. Zeng, Zhou Qiang hit Uncle Tang on the left cheek with a single punch, causing his glasses to fall to the ground before fleeing the scene. When they confronted the property management, their actions were met with frustration. "We suggested going to the hospital, but the property management insisted on waiting for the assailant to return to handle the matter, claiming it was a personal issue unrelated to the company."
Ms. Zeng and Uncle Tang's family believed that since the assault occurred within the scope of property management duties, the property management company should actively address the situation rather than shirking responsibility, which would only escalate the situation.
**Property Management: Not Ignoring the Issue, But Unable to Reach Consensus**
Following the incident, the reporter contacted Director Chen of the Aotuoyi Property Management Company responsible for the neighborhood. Director Chen was also present during the incident and recounted that at the time, he was explaining the water pool situation to Ms. Zeng's father. "The atmosphere suddenly turned tense, and before I realized it, they were already fighting," Director Chen said. He later learned that Uncle Tang had become emotionally charged during the discussion, leading to some physical contact between the two parties.
Director Chen added that after throwing a punch, the young man felt very frightened and quickly left the scene. At that point, the actions of the elder surprised them. "He grabbed a kitchen knife, stood at the entrance of the property management office, and was extremely agitated." Regarding the aftermath, the homeowners accused the property management of irresponsibility, which Director Chen denied. He argued that both sides failed to reach a consensus. "Initially, they didn't mention going to the hospital. They asked for an apology and even demanded that the apology letter be posted on the bulletin board, which we found inappropriate."
Soon after, the police arrived and brought back Zhou Qiang, the assailant. Both parties underwent medical examinations, with Zhou Qiang showing no injuries. "The 300-plus yuan for the elderly man's CT scan was covered by us, but we couldn't allow them to dictate the medical tests. We could only wait for the police's evaluation, and we would cover whatever amount was necessary," Director Chen explained. Due to the property management's finance department being off-duty at the time, there was no cash available. Director Chen asked the Tang family to save the treatment invoices for handling the next day, but this was misinterpreted. He helplessly remarked, "From yesterday to this morning, I felt like I was under house arrest. Wherever I went, two people followed me, fearing I would escape without paying the medical expenses."
**Mediation: Police Intervene, Property Management Compensates and Apologizes**
In the afternoon, at the Nancheng Hospital, the reporter met Uncle Tang, who appeared calm with no visible external injuries. He stated that apart from some discomfort in his eyes, his body seemed fine. "The doctor advised me to observe for a few more days, but I feel there's no major issue. I should be able to leave tomorrow."
Uncle Tang informed the reporter that by noon, Zhou Qiang had visited him at the hospital and sincerely apologized. "Zhou Qiang shed tears while apologizing, and I thought, 'Let it go. He's just over twenty, entering society, still a child.' So, I forgave him."
According to the Tang family, under the mediation of the police station, the property management ultimately provided 3500 yuan as medical compensation, concluding the matter.
Director Chen of the property management company concluded, "This was wrong on our part. Regardless of the circumstances, there is no justification for violence. In the future, we will strengthen the training of our staff. Since we live in close proximity, I hope everyone can let this be a misunderstanding and move forward. We wish for Uncle Tang to recover soon."