When a 17 year old kid knocks a baseball through my window and tries to blame someone else I would go talk to the 17-year kid's parents. I don't see why they would not be contacted for this.
So what are you going to say? We
think your son is responsible for a major crime and we want you to do something about it? A crime which hasn't even been reported to the authorities? What ability do they have to determine whether or not Zhou is responsible?
This isn't being proposed as a "your kid's got himself into a tight spot and he could use your help" kind of thing. What additional benefit is there to involving Zhou's parents?
Don't get me wrong, I think the way this is being handled is sketchy as hell but I don't see how involving Zhou's parents is going to make it any less sketchy.
I don't think anyone should talk to his parents. If he is lying though, he needs to talk to his parents. At this point in the game it would seem that things are looking good for us waiting for payments.