Qiao Shu here didn't care what happened over there and got on the ox cart with his things.

Because Xu Qiangjin, who was driving the tractor, had some things to do, she was anxious to go back.

Anyway, a ride on the ox cart only costs five cents, which is a drop in the bucket for her.

Not many people ride in ox carts, because they have to pay for it themselves, so it’s better to wait for Xu Qiangjin and take a free ride back to the village.

The person driving the ox cart was an old man named Li from the village.

"Grandpa Li, how many years have you been driving an ox cart?"

Qiao Shu had nothing to do, so he chatted with Old Man Li.

"It's been almost twenty years." Old Man Li raised his head and squinted his eyes as he looked ahead. "Ah, the colder the weather, the harder it is for the wheels to roll."

He said with a sigh.

Qiao Shu said, "That's quite a long time."

Old man Li nodded. "Yes, before the economy was so developed, every villager would ride in my ox cart when they went to town. But since the village bought a tractor, fewer and fewer people use ox carts."

Qiao Shu felt that riding in a bullock cart was more comfortable. It was not as bumpy as riding in a tractor, and he could breathe fresh air.

Suddenly remembering something, her eyes lit up: "Grandpa, I wonder if I can do a business with you?"

She will definitely have to go to town often in the future. If she takes a tractor to town every day, it will not only waste time but also cause misunderstandings from others. In this case, it is better for her to rent a car by herself.

Old Man Li's heart skipped a beat and he quickly refused: "Qiao Zhiqing, we don't allow private transactions now. Please don't hurt me."

In the minds of ordinary people today, as long as it is business, it is a private transaction, and it can’t cause death, so it cannot be done.

Qiao Shu smiled and said, "Grandpa, that's not what I meant. You go to town every day anyway, and I want to go with you. What I mean is, I'll rent your ox cart, give you food, or anything else you need. How about that?"

When Old Man Li heard this, his eyes widened instantly. He looked at Qiao Shu, his lips trembling: "You...is what you said true?"

"Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, I can pay you for the ride."

Old man Li hesitated again and again, and finally nodded: "Okay, I believe you."

Old Man Li looked around and found that there was no one nearby. He lowered his voice and said, "You don't have to give me food, just give me money."

The job of driving an ox cart is becoming increasingly difficult. He has not been open for business for a long time because everyone is driving tractors.

That thing is novel, free, and faster than an ox cart.

Qiao Shu nodded in understanding: "Then, Grandpa, how much do you want to pay?"

Old man Li raised two fingers, but he looked at Qiao Shu with an awkward look. "Qiao Zhiqing, you know I'm alone and old, and I can't do much work. I just make a living by driving an ox cart. Don't think I'm expensive."

In fact, he may not even be able to earn two dollars a month now.

So for so long, he has been tightening his stomach and only eating one meal a day.

Qiao Shu was stunned when he heard the price, then shook his head: "How about this, Grandpa, I'll give you five dollars, but I don't know when you'll go to town. Once I call you, you have to leave quickly, and don't tell anyone else."

She didn't expect that Old Man Li's life has become like this now.

It’s really hard to imagine living on two dollars a month.