While others were busy avoiding the heat, for fear of mishaps if things went wrong, the Cheng family was quite at ease.
They had adjusted their working hours, drank more herbal teas, and eaten plenty of fruits and vegetables. None of them had sores in their mouths, nor did they feel tired. Although it was hot, they could still bear it.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao were never idle. While others fretted about how to escape the heat, they had easily resolved the issue and still had the energy to dry vegetables. They had already begun to quietly stock up on food, as it could be eaten even if they didn't have to flee. This preserved food also had a unique flavor, and most importantly, it could be stored for a long time. In this kind of weather, after cooking in a large pot, it was hung in the yard, and within a short time, it would become dry. Usually, it was thoroughly dried in two days, and there was no fear of dampness.
Cheng Hao's spatial dimension hadn't shown any activity for a long time, and he understood he couldn't rely on it entirely. Therefore, besides storing things in his spatial dimension, he also stockpiled some food externally. This external food was clearly visible, and everyone knew about it, so there was no need for complicated explanations.
Su Miaomiao, standing beside him, didn't mind the heat and hung up the long beans. The young woman wore a straw hat. It was a gift from a woman from Shan'ao Village who happened to pass by. When they came to pick up some items, they saw the young couple working under the hot sun and gave them each a hat. The woman said with a smile, "Young Master Cheng and Mistress Cheng, please don't mind. My husband picked this grass outside the city earlier. I had some free time these past two days, so I wove a few straw hats. These two haven't been worn yet! They're perfect for both of you."
The women beside her also smiled warmly, chiming in, "Yes, yes, it's a hot day. Don't let your precious faces get sunburnt!" "You two are so diligent; you can't even rest on a day like this." They all sighed, thinking it was no wonder they could accomplish so much, as they seemed never to be idle. They, on the other hand, were quite idle, doing little more than chores and not needing to think too much. Everything revolved around the couple. It was understandable that they were always busy with one thing or another, constantly worrying.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao thanked them with smiles and didn't stand on ceremony. Such acts were common, whether from the people of Shan'ao Village or their own kin. The young couple acted like both elders and juniors to them. While these people followed their lead, they also frequently looked out for them, showering them with food and care, and often gifting them various items. They never refused. Knowing everyone's good intentions, accepting their gifts would only make them happy.
As expected, receiving the young couple's thanks, the women's faces lit up with joy. They then went to work in the neighboring yard, which also had space where they would work. Even after the hottest part of the midday sun, there was still sunshine in the afternoon, so everyone liked to wear straw hats.
Su Miaomiao, wearing her large straw hat, was well-covered. It could even shield her shoulders without obstructing her vision. The hat was indeed well-made. "If I don't do some work, my mind feels all muddled," she said, wiping away sweat. She was very casual about it.
Seeing her sweat profusely, Cheng Hao took out a clean handkerchief from his pocket, pulled her closer, and tucked the handkerchief behind her collar. Su Miaomiao immediately bristled, "Hey, hey, I'm not three years old!"
Cheng Hao ignored her and continued to place the handkerchief there. "Be good. It will cool down after sunset. If you get sweaty and then catch a breeze, you'll surely get sick. This will absorb some sweat, and you can change it later."
Su Miaomiao found it too embarrassing, her face almost burning with shame. She wanted to pull it off, but seeing his gaze, she relented, blushing. "Cheng Hao, you're too shameless. I'm fine, the little girls don't do this..." Although she knew he always worried about her like a doting mother, this was too mortifying.
Cheng Hao, however, paid no mind. He simply said as long as it was useful, what was there to be ashamed of? When did her skin become so thin? "Alright, make do with it. These dried vegetables are drying well. We stewed some a few days ago, and everyone praised them. We'll have people follow this process and method from now on. We'll pick a small group of people to help with drying." Sun-dried vegetables were more reassuring to eat and guaranteed to be of good quality. Moreover, this kind of food could be stored for a long time, didn't take up much space, was light, and could satisfy hunger. It was truly an excellent item for escaping danger.