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In a case that has captured widespread attention in Shanghai, a unique mother-son duo's controversial attempt at hotel-based elderly care has come to a tragic end with the mother's death.
Zhou Wei, a 69-year-old former songwriter and member of the Chinese Musicians Association, made headlines earlier this year when it was revealed that he and his 97-year-old mother had been blacklisted by hotels across Shanghai after attempting to use them as a long-term elderly care solution. The story has now taken a somber turn with the recent announcement of his mother's passing in October 2024.
Born into a prominent family in Hefei, Anhui Province in 1928, Zhou's mother later moved to Shanghai due to war-time upheaval. After divorcing Zhou's father when Zhou was just three years old, she single-handedly raised her son, creating an unusually close bond that would last their entire lives. Zhou, who never married or had children, dedicated his life to caring for his mother, making their story both touching and controversial in modern Chinese society.
The mother-son duo's journey through hotel-based elderly care began in 2022 when they faced challenges with traditional living arrangements. Their old Shanghai apartment, located in a building without elevators, became increasingly unsuitable for his mother's declining mobility. After a failed attempt at residing in a Jiaxing elderly care facility - where his mother was allegedly assaulted by a drunk individual - Zhou discovered what he believed to be an innovative solution: long-term hotel living.
Over two years, the pair stayed at three different hotels in Shanghai, spending approximately 400,000 yuan ($56,000) on accommodation. However, their stays were marked by frequent conflicts with hotel management. Zhou, who has a disability himself, would often make what hotel staff considered excessive demands, including requesting structural modifications to bathroom facilities to accommodate his mother's needs.
"I've always been a filial son," Zhou told reporters. "I only wanted to ensure my mother could enjoy her final years in comfort. Instead, she passed away with regrets, which breaks my heart." His mother's health deteriorated significantly during their last hotel dispute in May 2024, leading to her hospitalization and eventual passing in October.
The case has sparked intense debate on Chinese social media platforms. While some praise Zhou's dedication to his mother, others criticize what they view as unreasonable behavior toward hotel staff.
Hotel staff reported numerous incidents that led to the eventual blacklisting. Zhou would frequently call the front desk with demands that went beyond typical hotel services, creating what they described as an untenable situation for both staff and other guests. Despite their professional training, hotel employees found it increasingly difficult to meet the pair's specialized care needs.
Zhou's personal history adds another layer to this complex story. His extreme dependence on his mother, shaped by their unique circumstances, affected his personal relationships throughout life. He once had a girlfriend, but the relationship ended when his mother couldn't accept sharing his attention. His ideal life, as he described it, would have included both a wife to care for him and his mother by his side - a balance he never achieved.
Unable to perform basic self-care tasks, Zhou and his mother had long relied on external services for daily needs, from laundry to meal delivery. Their situation represents an extreme example of the "mama's boy" phenomenon in Chinese society, locally termed "mama's boy" or "mabaoman."
In the aftermath of his mother's death, Zhou has announced his intention to pursue legal action against the hotels, hoping to draw attention to the broader issues of elderly care in China. "This isn't just about our case," he stated. "It's about improving the living environment for all elderly people in our society."
