Ex-millionaires bounce back driving city bus

Dai Liqing (left) and wife Ren Yanli change shifts on bus route 719 in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Photo: Wuhan Evening News

If you've ever hopped on Wuhan city bus number 719, chances are you've been driven by hotel-owning millionaires whose seen their share of hard times.

Before hitting the skids in the 1990s, hotel owners and full-time bus drivers Dai Liqing and wife Ren Yanli in Wuhan, Hubei Province had amassed a fortune worth over ten million yuan, according to the Wuhan Evening News.

The couple from nearby Xiaogan went into business together after their marriage in 1992, but lost all their savings after Dai developed a gambling addiction, started chain smoking and a dependency on alcohol.

With no one to turn to, Ren was forced to sell property to raise the 620,000 yuan needed to cover her husband's debt.

The couple left for Wuhan in 2010 and managed to escape with their hotel. Although their remaining asset brought in 150,000 yuan ($24,510) a year, Ren thought a regular job would bring some much-needed stability to her husband's life after she saw a want ad for Wuhan city bus drivers.

"He's given up smoking and gambling. It's like he's been given a whole new start," said Ren.

Their new life also comes with sacrifices. Ren's shift starts at 5:30 am and Dai takes over at 1:30 pm, leaving the couple very little time to see each other, let alone talk about their day.

"Although life now is little harder, I fell really responsible, and I'm helping others as well," Dai said.