As the two groups parted ways, a complex emotion suddenly welled up in Lin Qing's heart. She knew that although hunting was a traditional activity for the brigade every winter, the mountain environment was complex and unpredictable, and danger lurked everywhere. Although she had more faith in Gu Nanxun's skills, she couldn't help but start to worry. She silently prayed for Gu Nanxun and his group, hoping they would return safely.
Gu Nanxun led his team up a winding path. Qiu Dong and Feng Yu Lei Dian, both experienced hunters, had sharp eyes and were constantly observing their surroundings, searching for possible prey tracks.
Although Zhao Youcai and Liu Guoqing weren't as skilled as the others, they had participated in winter hunting more than once and had considerable experience. Moreover, they knew the area's forests like the back of their hand. Under their guidance, the group gradually ventured deeper into the mountains.
As time passed, the two teams ventured deeper into the forest. Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, dappling the snow and bringing a touch of warmth to the cold winter day. The hunters moved cautiously across the snow, trying not to leave too many tracks so as not to disturb their prey.
In spring and summer, their group stopped in an open area. They observed for a while, then began setting traps and establishing observation points. The hunter also took out his rifle, checking it again and again to ensure it would be effective in a critical moment.
Gu Nanxun did not lead them to set up traps. He did not want to waste time on setting up traps. He bypassed Zhao Youcai and Liu Guoqing and led the team directly into the deep mountains.
"Brother Gu, are we really safe going into the deep mountains?"
Zhao Youcai looked in the direction they were heading and asked worriedly.
“We’re heading towards the deep mountains. If we can hunt some prey along the way, that would be great. If not, I know a good spot ahead. You guys wait there while I take a few men into the deep mountains.”
As Gu Nanxun spoke, he kept an eye on his surroundings, not missing a single sound or movement.
Suddenly Gu Nanxun stopped, pulled the trigger of his shotgun, and with a "bang," a rabbit fell to the ground.
"Brother Gu, it's a rabbit!" Liu Guoqing cheered when he saw the rabbit lying on the ground. He rushed over, picked up the rabbit, and shouted to Gu Nanxun with a big laugh.
At this moment, Lin Qing and the villagers at the foot of the mountain did not disperse, but gathered together to chat. The sudden gunshot startled everyone who was chatting.
Coming to her senses, an older woman said with a smile, "So you've already reaped the rewards so quickly this year?"
"That's right. In previous years, we never heard gunshots so quickly! We always had to go deep into the mountains to hunt our prey."
"It seems there are quite a few small animals in the mountains this year! I hope we can hunt a lot of animals this time."
"I don't ask them to hunt many animals, I just ask that they stay safe and sound!"
"Yes, as long as they come back safe and sound."
"Don't worry, in previous years only one hunter had a hunting rifle, but this year there are six hunting rifles in total, so it's definitely safer than in previous years."
"Yes, it's good to have a hunting rifle! It's much safer with a hunting rifle."
"..."
Listening to the village women chatting, Lin Qing couldn't help but smile. She had a feeling that the shot she had just received must have been fired by her brother, Nanxun.
At this moment, an older woman saw Lin Qing next to her and couldn't help but laugh and say, "You guys forgot, we also have Xiao Gu this year! Xiao Gu is a soldier, you know. He was very good during the winter hunting before, and he must be even better now."
"That's right, I almost forgot. Xiao Gu went winter hunting with us when he was 14. His skills are better than most of the men in the village!"
"Wow, impressive, impressive indeed. Little Gu was just unlucky to run into Old Gu's family. What family would send a 14-year-old to go winter hunting? Aren't they afraid of something going wrong?"
"What's there to be afraid of? They might be hoping something bad would happen to Xiao Gu during the winter hunt. Luckily, Xiao Gu is fine now."
"..."
Unexpectedly, Lin Qing heard about Gu Nanxun again. The actions of the Gu family once again shocked Lin Qing's worldview, and she felt a pang of heartache. The thought of little Gu Nanxun having to go hunting in the mountains made Lin Qing's heart ache terribly.
No, she had to go home and write a letter to her father, to complain about how the Gu couple couldn't have an easy time on the farm.
Thinking of this, Lin Qing immediately got up, said goodbye to the aunties and grandmas around her, went home, and then took out a letter and quickly started writing.
On the other side, Chun and Xia also had some success with the hunter, hunting several pheasants.
Time passed slowly, and the sun gradually set in the west. Gu Nanxun led everyone to the place he had mentioned, which was an air-raid shelter. No one knew when it had been built. Gu Nanxun and Lin Qing had discovered this place when they went into the mountains to collect ginseng.
Gu Nanxun and his group entered the air-raid shelter. Although the entrance was small, the inside was surprisingly spacious. The mottled marks on the walls seemed to tell of its long history. Sunlight slanted in from the entrance, bringing a touch of warmth to this deep cave.
"This place is really a good hiding spot." Wang Haoran looked around and nodded in satisfaction.
Zhao Youcai looked around curiously, noticing some strange symbols on the cave walls, like some kind of marking. "Brother Gu, look at these symbols, weren't they left by people from before?"
Gu Nanxun looked up and shook his head: "I don't know either. Maybe it's a mark left by hunters or explorers in the past."
Gu Nanxun walked deeper into the cave and quietly placed some firewood in a corner. It looked like enough for them to use for several days. They would probably have to spend the next few days in this cave.
"Come on, a few people, help me move some firewood."
Upon hearing Gu Nanxun's words, everyone walked towards him.
Lin Yunfeng, who arrived first, stared wide-eyed at the firewood in front of him. "Nanxun, why is there so much firewood here?"
"Qingqing and I used to collect these, but we had too many to carry back, so we left them here. Later, Qingqing got pregnant, so we stopped coming here to get more. They're just enough for us to use right now."
"Great! With this firewood, we can suffer much less."
Looking happily at the firewood, Liu Guoqing said, "During winter hunting, finding firewood is even more difficult than hunting small animals. Because of the snow, it's especially hard to find usable firewood, but we can't go without it at night. So every winter hunt, everyone suffers a lot." Looking at the air-raid shelter that could provide shelter from the wind, and then at the firewood in front of him, Liu Guoqing thought, "It seems we won't have to suffer from the cold tonight."
Soon, Gu Nanxun and his team began clearing the air-raid shelter. They first lit a fire, and then cleared a space around the fire for sleeping at night.
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