The vote on the demolition compensation plan wasn't all that formal or orderly, especially compared with any other large-scale vote.
The biggest irregularity was that property owners who had already voted could change their minds and alter their ballots before the deadline.
In other words, this shifted the focus of the conflict.
The request Xu Guangzong had made was common during demolition projects in the past, and it still was.
When a family couldn't settle things among themselves but hadn't reached the point of falling out and suing each other, what could they do? They could only push the blame onto the demolition office.
There was only one apartment in the demolition compensation package, but the family had three children. If the parents gave it to the eldest and not the other two, that wasn't because they were playing favorites; they had no choice. It wasn't as if the government would give them three apartments.
Of course, adult children wouldn't really be so foolish as to take their parents' word for it, resent the government, and let their siblings enjoy the benefits.
Xu Guangzong explained himself at length. "When the results are announced, he won't know how I voted. And the final result might not even be the option I voted for. I just want peace of mind. I'm getting on in years. I never thought I'd have to deal with something like this at my age, with my two sons about to fight. Sigh..."
Xu Guangzong sighed repeatedly. Together with his frail, elderly appearance, it was quite enough to make people feel sorry for him.
I could only reply helplessly, "Those are the rules set by our demolition office. I'm just a junior employee, and I have to follow them. If I break the rules, I'll be disciplined."
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