A decade ago, China was in the midst of a property boom.
In Zhoukou, a fast-urbanising city in the country's central plains,
a property developer started a residential complex that promised "classic Chinese living",
full of greenery and next to good schools.
Today, most of its high-rises and villas are concrete skeletons.
The developer, Henan Zhongao Plaza, is bankrupt and its boss is in prison.
In a few buildings a handful of hardy residents have moved in,
but nearby flats stand empty; some are missing their windows.
Welcome to a lanweilou, or a "rotten tail" building,
a term that captures the idea of hopeful beginnings which end badly.
Chaguan recently visited the Zhongao development, trekking up dim staircases
to see how China's property crash is playing out—and, specifically,
how it is affecting those who bought into the good life and landed far from it.
"Of course we were optimistic.
We thought there would be a lot of activity around here," says Mr Guo, a middle-aged resident.
"I'm someone who likes quiet, but this is too quiet," chuckles Ms Li, his wife.
Given how desolate the complex is, whoever comes home first
often calls the other to report that they are safely back inside.
At least they were able to move in.
In some cases, Ms Li notes sadly, older homebuyers died before getting their keys.