A teenage boy in southern China has lavishly spent his way through his father’s life savings, taking friends out to party in a local bar where they consumed almost ¥300,000 worth of Champagne. What hope is there now of a good education for the family children?
Mr. Zhang lives in the countryside of Liuzhou in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Last month, when he went to his local bank to withdraw money for New Year, he got quite a shock.
For he had discovered that nearly ¥300,000 had disappeared. Upon checking the account’s transaction history, he found his 15-year-old son, Xiao Zhang, to be responsible.
It emerged that Xiao Zhang had brought a group of classmates and friends to spend the money in a local bar. Records showed that Xiao Zhang had gone to the bar on 18 occasions, armed with his father’s money. During this time, he bought no less than 24 bottles of high-end champagne, each with a price of ¥8,888. On one visit, he spent more than ¥30,000 alone.
Xiao Zhang’s aunt recently told Purple Cow News that Xiao Zhang’s father is an ordinary fruit farmer in the local area. The money was his life savings, revealed The World Journal.
Saved by her brother working in the fields all day, the money was meant to provide for children to go to school in the future.
Xiao Zhang’s aunt said her nephew claimed to have presented ID entering the bar, showing him to be 15. Not only was he not refused entry, the young lad was repeatedly encouraged by staff to spend more.
In order to deceive his father, Xiao Zhang had also taken his father’s phone and turned off the bank’s transaction notifications.
As for the bar’s failure to enforce regulations prohibiting minors, the situation has been reported to the Market Supervision and Administration Bureau.
From a legal perspective, an Attorney from Beijing Dacheng Nanjing Law Firm has commented on the case. Tang Yingluan said that the bar’s practice of selling alcohol to a minor is obviously improper and as such, there is a responsibility to be taken. However, as guardian of the child, the parent should also bear certain responsibilities. Through negotiation or judicial procedures, the merchant can refund part of the money, while the guardian also need bear some of the cost.
Xiao Zhang also expressed his regret afterwards.
