One night passed without incident, and the next day arrived.
The sky was a clear azure, cloudless, and the warm sunlight bathed the land, making the entire small mountain village feel cozy.
"Teacher Yang, are you ready yet?"
Outside the school gate, the three Qin brothers had already arrived, each fully equipped. Especially the eldest, Qin Gang, who actually had a large bow strapped to his back, along with homemade arrows, ropes, and other gear.
Paired with his burly, mountain-like physique and dark complexion, such a person, if placed in ancient times, would undoubtedly be a formidable general.
Qin Chuan and Qin Gang also carried substantial loads, including fishing nets, hoes, iron cages, animal traps, and provisions.
The three brothers, fully kitted out, were quite eye-catching.
The village chief's new house was now almost completely renovated, awaiting only Huang Xiong to finish varnishing all the furniture, and then finally tiling and a thorough cleanup to be complete.
Thus, after a long period of busyness, the three brothers decided to relax today and head into the mountains to hunt some game.
This was an experience almost every rural family had, and also a form of entertainment.
"Coming! Coming!"
From the schoolyard, a hopping figure ran out, causing the Qin family's three brothers waiting outside to their eyes light up.
Today, Yang Zimo had changed into a new outfit again, a camouflage outdoor suit, paired with high-heeled boots. This accentuated her tall and graceful figure, exuding an air of heroic spirit.
It made the Qin brothers' eyes shine with admiration.
This girl was truly a walking clothes rack; no matter what she wore, she displayed a unique beauty.
"Teacher Yang, your outfit is really beautiful. Where did you buy it?"
Qin Gang couldn't help but ask.
"This outfit was a gift from a friend. It was tucked away in a chest, and I just remembered it today, so I put it on!"
Yang Zimo explained, then asked with a giggle, "Do you think it's very beautiful?"
"Beautiful!!"
This time, even the simple and honest Qin Yang couldn't help but praise.
"Teacher Yang is always the most beautiful, no matter what she wears!"
"With this face and figure, even if she wore a urea sack, she'd be the most beautiful girl in the world!"
Qin Chuan's flattery soared to the heavens, prompting Yang Zimo to playfully raise her fist and hit him.
"You think I'd wear a urea sack!"
"You're asking for it!"
Amidst laughter and playful banter, the four began their journey.
The destination for this hunting trip was a riverbank several miles away from Nanyang Village. There was a large river there, named the Nanyang River, from which Nanyang Village derived its name.
Treading on the thick snow, the four chatted and laughed, and after about an hour, they arrived at their destination.
"Wow, I never knew our Nanyang Village had such a vast riverbank!"
"It's simply stunning!"
Looking at the vast, snow-covered expanse before them, Yang Zimo couldn't help but jump up happily, her eyes full of excitement.
The riverbank that appeared before them was as large as four or five football fields, covered in reeds and dense forests.
A winding, large river flowed downwards along its course, with chunks of ice floating in the water, bobbing up and down.
In the sunlight, the snow on the riverbank refracted colorful light, making it incredibly beautiful.
If it were summer, it would undoubtedly be lush green grass, an excellent place for herding cattle and sheep.
"Ah, look! There are pheasants over there!"
Suddenly, Yang Zimo let out another excited scream, pointing in a direction.
The three Qin brothers looked up and indeed saw several wild pheasants foraging on the thick snow. They were plump and looked substantial.
"It seems we've come to the right place today; there's plenty of game here!"
Qin Gang licked his lips, his face full of yearning, as if he could already see the succulent pheasants stewing in a pot.
"No rush. It's been a long time since we've seen eldest brother's archery skills. Let eldest brother show us his stuff today!"
Qin Chuan glanced at Qin Yang beside him and said with a smile.
A simple smile appeared on Qin Yang's dark face, "Xiao Chuan, it's been a while since I've shot a bow and arrow. I need to get reacquainted!"
"Brother Qin Yang, is your archery skill really as exaggerated as Qin Chuan says? Hitting a target a hundred paces away, hitting every shot?"
Yang Zimo curiously gazed at the very large bow on Qin Yang's back. The bow was easily five feet long, equivalent to the height of a nearly grown child.
It was hard to tell what material it was made of. The entire thing was wrapped in dense fuzzy ropes, and it looked very heavy.
"Hitting every shot is a bit of an exaggeration, but my eldest brother's archery is truly amazing. No one in the entire village can match him!"
Qin Gang explained, "My eldest brother used to learn from the most famous hunter in the village. Unfortunately, that old hunter passed away many years ago!"
"Then come on, let me feast my eyes!"
Yang Zimo clapped her hands, her face full of anticipation.
"Alright, I'll give it a try then!"
Having been praised continuously and not having touched a bow and arrow for a long time, Qin Yang felt a bit antsy and decided to test the waters.
He took the large bow from his back and carefully caressed it. At this moment, Qin Yang's gaze was as gentle as if he were facing a lover.
"Look, there's a rabbit over there!"
Suddenly, Qin Chuan whispered loudly.
"Where?"
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn, and following Qin Chuan's pointing finger, they indeed saw a rabbit darting out from the reeds in the distance. It stared with its eyes, alertly scanning its surroundings.
"Shh, let's be quiet and slowly sneak up!"
"It's still a bit far away now!"
Qin Yang instantly slipped into the role of a hunter, crouching low and moving forward slowly, while the other three quietly followed behind.
After a few minutes, Qin Yang stopped. He was now less than fifty meters from the rabbit. Qin Yang slowly drew his bow, the string taut, and everyone held their breath.
*Boom!!!*
With a dull and powerful twang of the bowstring, the arrow shot out like lightning.
In the distance, the rabbit seemed to sense the impending danger, its hind legs pushing off the ground in an attempt to flee, but it was too late!
The sharp arrow pierced its neck, lodging it firmly in the snow. No matter how much the rabbit struggled, it was in vain.
"He hit it!"
"Wow, this is incredible, he's truly an archer god!"
Yang Zimo's eyes widened in shock, and she applauded enthusiastically.
Qin Chuan and Qin Gang also gave a thumbs up. It had been many years since they had seen eldest brother shoot an arrow, and his skill had not diminished at all.
When the others ran over, the rabbit was still struggling. Qin Gang quickly grabbed it, pulled the arrow from its neck, and grinned, "We'll have rabbit meat tonight!"
"Teacher Yang, come on, let's set up some traps too and catch some prey together!"
Qin Chuan said to Yang Zimo.
"Okay! Okay!"
Yang Zimo was very excited. This was an experience she had never had since childhood, and it was very novel.