Three months later, in Huaxia.
A gray minibus sped swiftly along the winding mountainous road, heading away from Huahai City. The bus was loaded with goods piled high on its roof, swaying as it traveled, causing people to worry that it might topple over on a flat road.
The bus was overcrowded; with only 30 seats available, it now carried almost 80 people. Those standing in the aisle were packed so tightly together that they couldn't move. If someone fell asleep while standing, they wouldn't need to worry about accidentally falling over while the bus was moving.
This was a common occurrence in this area. Although the bus station had strict regulations against overloading, the driver, seeking extra income, would frantically pick up passengers along the way. Consequently, the bus was often packed with people squeezed together, shoulder to shoulder. Until an accident occurred, safety concerns were generally ignored.
