Chapter 3: The Dilemma of Property Management Companies

I heard that this film won an Oscar award

I pressed the play button, but I could no longer calm my mind to watch the movie

At the entrance of the community, I took a taxi directly to Yuanjiagang. During the ride, Hu Zongren did not say anything else apart from the destination being Yuanjiagang, as he was concerned about startling the taxi driver. After all, the driver works hard for a month, and life is not easy. Hu Zongren has a habit; he enjoys chatting with taxi drivers. I once thought he was just talkative, but later, when I asked him why he loved chatting with drivers, he told me that taxi drivers in a city are the ones who know it best. They have likely heard a lot about the trivial matters in the city, and sometimes, just by casually inquiring, one can continue to dig deeper and thus secure a business deal.

Sister Zhang continued, stating that after receiving the complaint, their property management first apologized to the owner and then immediately contacted the workers from the elevator maintenance unit for an inspection. Sister Zhang mentioned that since the elevator had recently undergone an annual inspection, any issues related to the aging of components should have been identified at that time. Therefore, when the workers were called again for inspection and reported that there was no problem with the elevator, it was noted that the ventilation hole that had initially drawn in the female owner was not directly connected to the outside of the cabin. Instead, there was a Z-shaped corner duct, which meant that it merely served to facilitate air circulation. As the elevator operated, the movement of the cables would allow a slight breeze to enter the enclosed space of the elevator. Moreover, even if there was airflow, it would be from the outside in, making it impossible for anything to be drawn out from inside the cabin.

Although Hu Zongren is rather carefree, he is not foolish

My home is absolutely never without beer, and both Hu Zongren and I can be considered connoisseurs of fine alcohol. We can easily finish off nearly half a box of Laoshancheng beer while surrounded by a pack of drunken peanuts. Therefore, whenever he comes to my house, the first thing he does is open the fridge to find something to drink. On that day, Cai Jie was not at home; I have forgotten what she was doing. So, the two of us, as grown men, sat quietly in front of the television, appreciating this highly controversial and brutally depicted film.

I shot him a glance, secretly despising his lack of ambition. By the time I finished speaking, we had arrived at that building

After being distracted for about ten minutes, I could no longer hold back and directly pressed the power button, restoring silence to the entire living room. Hu Zongren glared at me, as if to say, "What do you mean by turning off the TV when I was just getting into it?" I looked at him and said, "We can watch the TV later. You have that order to take care of, so let's go handle it together now"

He said that the other party was a lady from the property management company of that building. The building is a mixed-use high-rise, containing both residential units and several small businesses such as beauty salons and advertising companies. The building was constructed around the year 2000 and is a standalone structure with a small podium. The entire area of the podium is leased to several car dealerships and supermarkets. In the past six months, residents have continuously complained about serious issues with the elevator's quality, and the ones suffering the most are the young women living in the building. The company initially followed the owners' claims and invited an elevator maintenance unit for inspection, but found no issues whatsoever. However, there are many elderly residents in the building who, due to their age, may have become more open-minded about many things. For them, encountering ghosts might not be as shocking as it once was. They have also reported to the property management company that occasionally, while using the elevator, they hear a woman's crying coming from an unknown corner of the elevator.

After getting off at Yuanjiagang, Hu Zongren finally told me the simple sequence of events he understood when he received the phone call yesterday

In early March 2010, after rearranging the layout of my home, the old console color television officially became obsolete. Coincidentally, during that time, a certain large domestic appliance store was holding a Women's Day themed promotional event. Without hesitation, I spent a substantial sum of 3,000 yuan to purchase a relatively large 32-inch LCD television, equipped with USB connectivity and online features. When the delivery was made to my building, I proudly raised the signature pen in my hand, and under the envious and eager gazes of my neighbors, I signed my name on the confirmation slip for the "Caring for Rural Hearts" product handed to me by the delivery person.

Hu Zongren and I exchanged a glance, and we both understood that the more resolutely such professional theories are stated, the more likely it is that these matters fall under the purview of Hu Zongren and me

Smoking is addictive, drinking is addictive, and it seems that ghost hunting can also become addictive

Then Hu Zongren asked me, "I finished my part, why aren't you continuing?" I thought to myself that Hu Zongren is not a local, and since he mentioned on the phone that he would come over once he was done, it indicated that the other party was indeed local to Chongqing. It must mean he had received some business. So I asked him, "Is there a business deal to be made?"

Although the weather in March cannot be described as cold, it is also not warm. Hu Zongren and I were standing downstairs smoking, waiting for each other to arrive. From a distance, I saw a woman around forty years old, wearing a floral sweater and arm sleeves, with a slightly plump figure, glance at us a few times before walking towards us. I asked Hu Zongren if that was the lady, and he said he didn't know as he had never seen her before. But soon, the lady approached us and politely said to me, "You must be Mr. Hu, we have finally been able to meet you." I asked Hu Zongren if that was the lady, and he said he didn't know as he had never seen her before. But soon, the lady approached us and politely said to me, "You must be Mr. Hu, we have finally been able to meet you."

Hu Zongren said that he had only a general understanding over the phone. He promised the property management lady that he would go to the site today to see what the specific situation was, as it was better to discuss things in person. At this point, Hu Zongren patted my shoulder and said, once this is done, I could buy two televisions like yours for my home

At this point, Sister Zhang handed us a product manual that the developer had provided when purchasing the elevator during the renovation. It seemed that she had prepared these materials well in advance of our visit. Hu Zongren took it and, although he could not understand the incomprehensible parameters and specifications, he noticed that the style of the elevator was just like the ones we usually ride, with no apparent differences.

Good! He replied, truly a law-abiding and good middle-aged man

Based on Hu Zongren's understanding of me, I believe he had already guessed my thoughts at that time. He knew that I was actually restless and craving. So, he finished the remaining half bottle of beer in one go and said, "Alright, let's set off now."

Sister Zhang continued, stating that although the professionals provided the inspection results and the property management company informed the owner of the 17th floor of these results, it was difficult for both parties to reach an agreement. Moreover, the owner did not pursue the matter too rigorously, so the issue was left unresolved. However, since then, almost every month, different owners from various floors have lodged complaints regarding the same issue. The property management company has once again called in technicians for repairs, yet the conclusion remains unchanged: that ventilation hole is simply incapable of drawing anything out. However, since then, almost every month, different owners from various floors have lodged complaints regarding the same issue. The property management company has once again called in technicians for repairs, yet the conclusion remains unchanged: that ventilation hole is simply incapable of drawing anything out

Sister Zhang began to recount the detailed process of the entire incident to us. The situation is as follows: about six months ago, they received the first complaint regarding this matter from a female owner in her twenties living on the 17th floor of the building. She reported that after finishing work and parking her car, she took the elevator from the garage to her floor. After the elevator had been moving for a while, she suddenly felt a chill above her head, and then her hair seemed to be caught by something, being pulled upwards with force. The lady mentioned that the force was not particularly strong at the time, so it did not hurt much, and she was able to break free. As she was freeing herself, she looked up and discovered that her hair seemed to be sucked in, similar to how a vacuum cleaner works, through the ventilation hole at the top of the elevator, which is used to balance the air pressure inside and outside the elevator car. She said that at that moment, she managed to free herself, but she did not associate it with anything specific; she merely thought that perhaps the elevator needed maintenance after so many years. Otherwise, if her hair had truly been pulled up and got caught in the elevator cable, with a bit more force, she might not have been able to break free, and that would have posed a danger to her.

I said, I am not, this is Mr. Hu, we are companions, I came with him to help. The lady felt a bit embarrassed, then extended her hand to shake hands with Hu Zongren, and then led the way, taking a detour behind the building, following the stairs, walking from the ground level to the first floor, and arrived at their property management office. There were originally two young male staff members in the office, but as soon as we entered, the lady said for them to step aside for a moment so we could discuss some matters.

Since we have both been drinking, let's just take a taxi! I said to Hu Zongren

It has been proven that in all the projects I collaborated on with Hu Zongren thereafter, we both shared the commission, as we understood that receiving remuneration entails providing assistance in return. Regardless of the amount, it is essential to accept some, otherwise, it would be considered meddling and could lead to unforeseen consequences

When I was halfway through, Hu Zongren's phone rang. I pressed the pause button, just about to scorn Hu Zongren for taking a call during a movie, when he answered the phone and said, "Oh, teacher, I have something to attend to and can't leave right now. Can I come over directly after I finish my work?"

Hu Zongren told me that it is said to be a very sorrowful kind of cry

After the installation was completed, I tried it out for a few days, and the results were excellent. Therefore, I am still using that television today. During that time, in order to show off my high-end appliance, I invited Hu Zongren to my home to watch a high-definition Hollywood blockbuster, "The Hurt Locker," which I had just downloaded online.

This is a personal flaw of mine, and I must admit it. Although I had already gone through quite a lot with Hu Zongren and Sha Wudao before that, and despite the fact that it ultimately ended in a happy resolution for all, it made me develop an unprecedented desire to withdraw from that period. However, I am the kind of person who, the more I want to avoid such matters, the more I find ways to steer clear of them. Yet when I truly realize how close these matters are to me, I find it difficult to control the feeling of yearning, akin to the allure of a book.

I particularly emphasize that if I cannot be of help, then so be it. If I can assist, a meal would suffice as a token of appreciation; I do not require any money

He took a sip of his drink and said, "It's nothing, just that someone found him yesterday and asked him to take a look at their community's house. It seems that there are some issues with that building." I asked Hu Zongren, "But didn't you say you don't look at feng shui?" Hu Zongren replied, "From what the other party implied, it seems that it's not a feng shui issue, but rather that there is something in a certain part of that building. After I accompany you to finish watching this film, I will go over there; there's no rush.

Although this building was constructed around the year 2000, the condition of the falling exterior wall tiles suggests that the developer must have chosen relatively inexpensive materials at the time of construction. Otherwise, even with the effects of environmental weathering, the tiles would not have fallen off to such an extent

Hu Zongren's phone is of a rather old-fashioned type, so even without activating the speakerphone function, I can still hear the voice of a person on the other end mixed with a buzzing sound. Although I cannot make out what the other person is saying, I can sense from the tone that it is a woman, and she seems to be quite anxious. Hu Zongren responded to her with a few perfunctory remarks, saying he would come over as soon as he finished his work, and then he hurriedly hung up the phone

It is not difficult to see that this woman is a leader, at least in this company. Once the two young men left, we sat down, and this lady kindly brought us a cup of warm water before returning to her seat. She first introduced herself, stating that her surname is Zhang, so both Hu Zongren and I referred to her as Sister Zhang.

While downstairs, Hu Zongren called the property management company, stating that we had arrived and inquiring about the directions. However, after hanging up the phone, Hu Zongren mentioned that someone would come down to meet us

I pondered that I, along with Hu Zongren, had encountered such spirits multiple times before. Although the manner of their appearance and the nature of their obsessions varied each time, it can be generally concluded that these female ghosts are driven by a sense of unwillingness or resentment towards their deaths. Otherwise, how could they possess such strong obsessions that lead them to linger in the human realm to frighten or even harm others