Episode 5 recap: # Mr. Lao Refuses the Elevator Installation
In Episode 5, Mr. Zhao struggles to climb the stairs and encounters Mr. Lao just as he is about to leave. Mr. Zhao believes that installing an elevator would benefit everyone and asks Mr. Lao why he disagrees. Mr. Lao explains that during the housing distribution, everyone chose to stay on the first floor, and his family ended up with that unit. Now that the situation has changed, he refuses to support the installation of an elevator.
Xia Mei Zhen assigns some tasks to Zheng Xiang Yang and the others, mentioning that there has been a dispute in the Jingxiu community regarding the elevator installation. They head over to find residents arguing; those on the upper floors want an elevator due to the inconvenience of using the stairs, while Mr. Lao staunchly opposes it.
Zheng Xiang Yang and his team try to mediate the arguments, but tensions rise as everyone voices their opinions. Brother Dong brings in a pressure cooker to illustrate his point, arguing that installing an elevator would negatively impact the lighting for first-floor units and lower property values, which Mr. Lao would definitely oppose. In the process, Brother Dong accidentally burns Mr. Lao’s hand with the hot cooker.
This only adds to Mr. Lao’s frustration, as he insists that the installation requires unanimous agreement, and he will not consent. Xia Mei Zhen emphasizes that the priority now is to calm Mr. Lao down. Zheng Xiang Yang suggests Xia Mei Zhen should take on this task, but she feels it’s not wise for her to go since it would leave her with no way out—Zheng Xiang Yang and the others are better suited for the job.
Zheng Xiang Yang sends He Jing Yun to apologize to Mr. Lao. However, when she arrives, another argument breaks out before she can even apologize, further angering Mr. Lao. Xia Mei Zhen points out that He Jing Yun had intended to apologize but is feeling overwhelmed.
Brother Dong approaches He Jing Yun and questions if any compensation is being offered. He Jing Yun responds that there is no compensation, but she will inform him of any updates. Zheng Xiang Yang tries to see Mr. Lao, but he is reluctant to meet. Mr. Lao's wife encourages him to listen.
Eventually, Zheng Xiang Yang manages to enter and discusses the issue with Mr. Lao, who remains firmly opposed. Zheng Xiang Yang inquires about the technical aspects of the elevator installation, but Mr. Lao does not provide a clear explanation. A notice is posted in the community inviting residents to a meeting to discuss the elevator installation thoroughly.
People express their intention to attend the meeting and urge Mr. Lao to clarify his position. Zheng Xiang Yang consults Engineer Wang about the installation, but Wang informs him that different buildings have different requirements for elevators, and since Zheng Xiang Yang hasn’t done his homework, he cannot provide useful information.
He Jing Yun later finds Mr. Lao’s wife and warns her that Zheng Xiang Yang advised Mr. Lao against attending the meeting and suggested he should avoid going out recently. Mr. Lao senses something is off and decides to attend the meeting.
At the meeting, representatives from the elevator company explain how the installation will proceed without causing noise issues. Mr. Lao inquires about potential radiation from the elevator, and the company representative acknowledges that there may be some radiation but insists it will not have any significant impact. Hearing this, the residents become anxious, demanding clarification on how this could affect them.
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