Chapter 62 Tips for Beating the Heat: I need two thousand kilograms of ice!

"Why is it so hot?!"

Miao Wuni's entrepreneurial journey promotes business prosperity, Miss Qiu's influence in the education sector continues to reverberate, Bai Yuzan sparks a war of words and leads a writing trend, allowing many women to quietly embark on better paths. However, all of this has nothing to do with Yao Xiaoyu on the surface, as she is busy searching for various tips to cool down in the summer.

For some reason, the temperature in Shanghai has suddenly risen these past few days. Coupled with the heat island effect caused by the fact that it is a metropolis with hundreds of thousands of people, even though it is not yet the hottest month of July or August, Yao Xiaoyu can only wear bamboo cloth clothes. She is covered in sweat with the slightest movement, and she can only fall asleep at night by hugging a winter melon.

"That winter melon is heavier than me, it's inconvenient to even flip it over."

While chewing on dried cheese, Yao Xiaoyu complained to Tao Erniu that this was a new food she had discovered. It was made from cheese that the cheese shop couldn't sell that day, and it tasted wonderful, just like... the hole cheese that Jerry ate in Tom and Jerry in Yao Xiaoyu's imagination. It was fragrant, sweet, and had a rich milky flavor, but the price was a bit high.

"Use a bamboo wife."

After making a fortune from the paper craft shop, Tao Erniu began to think about her business in the summer. Bamboo wives were also on her list of products, but unlike stackable paper items and small ornaments that didn't take up much space, they were eventually eliminated by Tao Erniu. However, that didn't stop her from admitting that they were indeed lightweight and cool.

"I can't buy it."

Yao Xiaoyu was also helpless. Miao Wuni had boosted the enthusiasm of the business, but the production speed of some products simply could not keep up with the sales. During this period, the business of Bamboo Lady was particularly good. Since there was no machine weaving, the orders she placed with the craftsmen were still in the queue.

"I wish I could buy an electric fan."

Yao Xiaoyu didn't dare to dream of air conditioning at all, not because of the cost, but because air conditioning was only officially invented abroad in 1906, and the inventor only obtained a patent for the control system last year. It would take another five years before a smaller version could be manufactured, and by the time it was introduced to flower gardening... Yao Xiaoyu felt that as long as she earned enough money, she might be able to think about it in ten years.

But electric fans are different. Although it's almost impossible to find domestically made ones, and the prices are all exorbitant, at least they are available. However, the supply can't meet the demand. If Yao Xiaoyu can find the right person and use her money, she still has a chance to get one.

The prerequisite is that her house can get electricity.

Yes, although Yao Xiaoyu could see the factory lights from her second-floor window, her family did not have electricity. She didn't know the specific reason, but she planned to go and ask about it, and also broaden her knowledge.

If she knew she would one day come to this era, she would definitely prioritize writing novels about political intrigue, officialdom, and business during the Republic of China era, instead of indulging in the vast world of cultivation, the ferocious battles of mechs, or the unification of the continent by magic. What good is detailed research if the versions don't match?

Thinking of modern air conditioning, WiFi, and watermelon, Yao Xiaoyu returned home dejectedly. As usual, she drank her light soup in one gulp and then quickly went upstairs. Winter was fine, but in this hot weather, being so close together was no different from being in a sauna.

Yao Xiaoyu, who dislikes the heat, has a simple way of thinking. But in the eyes of those who have read Miao Wuni's story, Yao Xiaoyu, who comes and goes in a hurry, is enacting a real-life version of Miao Wuni leaving home. The group exchanged a solemn glance, knowing that they were thinking the same thing.

Nighttime, in the Yao family courtyard.

Yao Ping'an and his son, along with Zhou Chunhua, held a meeting. This was a habit they had developed before Yao Xiaoyu developed any rifts with the Yao family. They made decisions on small matters independently, but for important matters, the whole family would hold a meeting to vote, with the minority obeying the majority. In the past, Yao Xiaoli would also have a vote, but this time the three of them thought that since Yao Xiaoli had to go to school the next day, they simply put her to sleep.

Yao Xiaoli couldn't help with the matters discussed in today's meeting anyway. Rather than causing trouble and creating a lot of problems later, she might as well get a good night's sleep and focus on her duties as a student.

Have you found suitable jobs?

Yao Xiaoyu's impending unemployment was not kept secret from the Yao family. They didn't take it too seriously at first—the money their daughter/granddaughter/sister gave to the family wasn't a salary. It wasn't until they saw how Miao Wuni reduced her presence and then quietly left home that the Yao family began to feel a sense of crisis.

A job might not earn much money, but it would keep Yao Xiaoyu tied to her, preventing them from falling into the same situation as the Miao people, where they couldn't find her after she left.

"I haven't been able to find out yet."

Yao Tianrui frowned. The easy jobs were all filled by crooked people. Even this position at Maria Hospital, which was somewhat taboo, was only filled by a temporary replacement because of pregnancy and childbirth.

"I do have one, but I'm very busy."

Zhou Chunhua sighed, and Yao Pingan shook his head on the spot.

"Little Fish is busy writing, she can't do anything else."

They found jobs to keep Yao Xiaoyu tied down, but ultimately it was for the household expenses Yao Xiaoyu would contribute each month. If her writing was delayed because of the work, it would be putting the cart before the horse. Besides, Yao Xiaoyu could earn money by writing, but her family deliberately made her do such lowly jobs. What difference was there between that and making enemies?

"Let's keep looking. There are still some days before I leave the hospital, so maybe I'll find a suitable job."

Zhou Chunhua's words did nothing to comfort Yao Tianrui. He thought about the debt of more than 500 yuan and the start of school in a few months. His mouth moved, but in the end, he didn't utter a single word.

Not being able to find a suitable job is just one possibility, but the money the Yao family spent on favors is truly gone!

What if?

Yao Tianrui comforted himself in his heart.

What if, just like Grandma said, I end up with a job that's perfectly tailored to my needs?

The meeting ended in such a dismal fashion, serving no purpose other than adding to everyone's anxiety.

Yao Xiaoyu was unaware of the anxiety of the three-person meeting. In order to avoid the increasingly powerful sun, her biological clock was gradually adjusted to be earlier and earlier, and she had plenty of time to eat along the way when she went out each day.

Because she was willing to spend money, many stall owners became familiar with Yao Xiaoyu, but after understanding her social anxiety, they treated this special customer as a stranger, which relieved Yao Xiaoyu.

She really, really disliked those stall owners who called out from afar. When that hand was raised or that voice rang out, Yao Xiaoyu always felt like she was being forced into a unilateral contract, her toes digging into the ground. If she wanted to eat something from that stall owner, that would be fine, but if she didn't, she would feel guilty.

But she was clearly just an ordinary customer who paid the full amount!

"Give me a bowl of crispy rice with vegetables, and some braised pork slices."

Yao Xiaoyu picked a stall that looked good and sat down. Guoba Cai is a Tianjin dish. It is made by spreading a thin mung bean pancake, cutting it into willow leaf strips and putting them in a bowl, then pouring on a sauce made with scallions, cilantro and cornstarch. This stall is good at making it, and you can't see any burnt bits at the bottom of the bowl.

"Okay."

The stall owner pretended not to recognize Yao Xiaoyu and responded. A moment later, he brought over a large bowl, which was filled with slices of fatty and lean meat, daylily, and two pieces of wood ear fungus. After Yao Xiaoyu finished the bowl, the combination of internal heat and the hot weather caused her to break out in a sweat.

"It's too hot, I'm going to have a bowl of plum juice later."

As Yao Xiaoyu walked, she was sweating profusely. Tao Erniu was speechless, not understanding why Yao Xiaoyu would eat hot food in such hot weather. Wasn't the cold noodles yesterday quite good?

"Because it tastes good."

Yao Xiaoyu chewed on a glutinous rice ball filled with red bean paste, answered with a smile, and then casually put the steamed bun she had just bought into the bowl of a little girl standing by the roadside holding a bowl. Seeing that the little girl took a bite without hesitation, she turned her head and continued walking forward as if by accident.

"Life isn't so bad unless you have something good to eat."

Yao Xiaoyu looked ahead and, as she passed by a group of beggars, quietly opened her palm and dropped a few finger-sized milk candies. These candies were made by boiling milk and were barely noticeable when put into her mouth.

Tao Erniu didn't understand what Yao Xiaoyu meant, but she couldn't bear to see Yao Xiaoyu with such an expression. After thinking for a moment, she decided to use what she knew to distract Yao Xiaoyu.

Would you like to buy ice?

Yao Xiaoyu suddenly turned her head.

"You have connections?"

There are ice factories in Shanghai, but it is said that the ice blocks are allocated before they even leave the factory, because air conditioners can be replaced by fans and ice blocks. Yao Xiaoyu originally planned to buy an electric fan first, connect the electricity to her home, and then tackle this toughest challenge. However, after investigation, she found that she had been too optimistic.

Putting aside the difficulty of purchasing the fan, just getting it powered on was enough to give Yao Xiaoyu a headache. First of all, the electricity bill at this time was not calculated based on usage, but on the number of light bulbs. Each light bulb cost fifteen silver dollars a month, not including the cost of installation and facilities. If she didn't give gifts after paying the money, the installation would take forever.

Moreover, this electricity can only be used on light bulbs. The power of the electric fan is too great. To use it, the wiring must be upgraded first, and then a foreign company must be found to modify the fan motor. Even if all is successful, the light bulb and the electric fan cannot be turned on at the same time, otherwise the wires will most likely burn out due to excessive power.

Yao Xiaoyu: ...

It's okay, it's okay. As long as the ice is big enough, the room will be cool even without wind.

"I made some connections with the ice factory and got a small share."

Tao Erniu rubbed her hands together with her index finger and thumb to indicate that her share was really small, but Yao Xiaoyu had already excitedly taken it.

"Give me two thousand kilograms of ice first, and I'll pay in full!"

Yao Xiaoyu didn't even want to go to work anymore. Her heart and eyes were filled with ice. Only when you leave the air conditioning do you realize how unbearable summer is!

After confirming that Yao Xiaoyu was not joking, Tao Erniu first emphasized that the ice in her hand was inedible. Seeing that Yao Xiaoyu still insisted on buying it, she agreed to deliver it to her that evening.

"My business hasn't even opened yet, and you've already booked the whole place."

Tao Erniu joked, but Yao Xiaoyu just blinked and pretended not to hear anything.

Tao Erniu only lost the opportunity to practice her sales skills, while Yao Xiaoyu gets to enjoy the cool evenings. Erniu should just let this heat-averse fish have her way.

Because she had successfully obtained the ice, Yao Xiaoyu was in a state of excitement all day. On her way back, she bought a large basin and a basket, and even took a ride in a rickshaw, which was quite rare for her. When the truck carrying the ice arrived at the door, the cut ice blocks were put into the cellar. Yao Xiaoyu put on gloves, took a piece into the basket, carried it to her room, poured it into the large basin with a bang, and then closed the window tightly.

Ten minutes later.

Yao Xiaoyu breathed in the slightly damp but cool air with satisfaction, sitting at her desk carefully adding to the outline of her new article, feeling that this was the life she should be living!

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The author says: I've found a super classic job for Xiaoyu, but she has to wait until after summer to start working.

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