9 Seats

Lao Li is the driver of the No. 108 bus. He has been driving buses for more than 20 years. He has witnessed the prosperity of this city and also the decline of the bus industry.

Recently, the company issued a new regulation. In order to respond to the call to "improve operational efficiency", all buses must be modified, and 40 seats must be changed to 9 seats. Lao Li initially thought he had heard wrong, 40 seats changed to 9 seats? Is that still called a bus?

"Lao Li, there's no other way." The manager patted Lao Li on the shoulder with a helpless expression, "Fewer and fewer people are taking the bus now, and the price of oil is expensive. The company is losing a lot of money. If we don't change it, it will really go bankrupt."

Lao Li understands in his heart that nowadays, private cars are running all over the streets, and the subway extends in all directions. Who would want to squeeze into a bus? But he still felt awkward. A good bus was changed into a "mishmash", which looked awkward no matter how he looked at it.

On the first day after the modification, Lao Li drove this "9-seat bus" on the road. In the empty carriage, there were only a few passengers. Lao Li could even hear his own breathing.

"Driver, this bus... why is it so empty?" an aunt couldn't help but ask.

"Oh, the company modified it, saying it would improve efficiency." Lao Li forced a smile.

"Improve efficiency? There are almost no people taking it, what efficiency is there to improve?" The aunt shook her head, looking puzzled.

Lao Li didn't answer. He didn't know how to explain it.

The bus continued to drive forward. When passing a bus stop, Lao Li habitually stopped the bus. On the platform, a young mother was holding her child and looking around anxiously.

"Driver, can I get on the bus?" The young mother's voice carried a hint of pleading.

Lao Li hesitated for a moment. According to the regulations, this bus can only carry 9 people, and it is now full. However, looking at the young mother's anxious expression, he couldn't bear it.

"Come on up." Lao Li finally opened the bus door.

The young mother gratefully got on the bus and sat with her child in the empty seat in the last row.

The bus started again, but Lao Li's heart was filled with mixed feelings. He didn't know whether what he did was right or wrong, nor did he know how long this "9-seat bus" could continue to run.

Suddenly, the sound of a baby crying rang out in the carriage. The young mother hurriedly coaxed the child, but the child kept crying.

"The child may be hungry," a passenger said.

The young mother's face flushed red. She lowered her head and said softly, "I... I didn't bring milk powder."

The carriage fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the young mother.

Lao Li's heart tightened. He remembered his newborn granddaughter, who also loved to cry like this.

"How about this, I still have some hot water here. You can try to make some rice paste for the child first." Lao Li poured some hot water from the thermos cup next to the driver's seat and handed it to the young mother.

The young mother gratefully took the hot water and began to make rice paste for the child.

The carriage was quiet again, with only the occasional sob of the child.

Lao Li looked at the scenery flying by outside the window, but he couldn't calm down. He suddenly felt that this "9-seat bus" was like a microcosm of the times. In the empty carriage, it carried countless helplessness and bitterness.

Suddenly, a sudden brake, Lao Li slammed on the brakes.

"What's wrong?" the passengers asked in panic.

Lao Li didn't answer. He stared blankly ahead.

In front, a brand-new driverless bus slowly drove past, with several eye-catching characters written on the body: "Smart Bus, Efficient and Convenient".

Lao Li's heart felt a sharp pain. He suddenly understood that the fate of this "9-seat bus" was already doomed.