After testing the bow and arrow, Lu Fan felt a surge of accomplishment, but he knew that on this perilous desert island, every extra layer of protection meant a greater chance of survival.
After all, no one knows whether they will encounter a ferocious beast or other unexpected dangers in the next second.
So he decided to make a crossbow for Anlan.
Compared to bows and arrows, crossbows are simpler to operate, allowing Anlan to better protect herself when necessary.
He turned to look at An Lan, his expression serious and his eyes full of concern: "An Lan, I plan to make you a crossbow. It's easy to learn and use, and it will be more convenient for you. It will also give you more confidence to deal with danger."
A hint of curiosity flashed in An Lan's eyes, and she said, "Crossbow? Do you need my help?"
Lu Fan gently shook his head, his tone firm yet gentle: "The process of making a crossbow is somewhat complicated, and the tools are sharp. I'm afraid you'll get hurt."
Just watch from the sidelines, and let me know if you have any thoughts.
An Lan nodded helplessly. She understood Lu Fan's intentions and could only watch silently from the side, occasionally handing him a tool, her eyes full of trust and support.
Soon, Lu Fan arrived at the bamboo forest.
They began to select bamboo with focused expressions.
He gently stroked each bamboo stalk, feeling their texture and judging their toughness, muttering to himself, "This bamboo is of uniform thickness and has strong fibers; it should be an excellent material for making crossbows."
As he spoke, he took out an axe and skillfully began to chop.
With a series of "thumps," the bamboo slowly fell to the ground. Lu Fan picked up the bamboo and walked steadily back to the shelter, as if he were carrying their future safety guarantee.
Back at the camp, Lu Fan carefully placed the bamboo and began the meticulous processing.
He first used a dagger to cut the bamboo into suitable lengths.
"This section is used to make the crossbow body. The length and curvature must be just right to ensure the stability of the crossbow. If the angle is slightly off, the arrow may deviate from its direction."
He muttered to himself, while An Lan listened attentively, nodding occasionally, her eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.
After cutting, Lu Fan picked up a stone and began to carefully polish the surface of the bamboo.
Soon the rough bamboo gradually became smooth in his hands.
"Sharpening is not only for a comfortable feel, but more importantly, it can prevent the rough surface of the bamboo from affecting shooting accuracy during use. If the crossbow bolts are shot crookedly, that would be a problem."
He explained to Anlan, and Anlan felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at his focused expression. His meticulousness gave her a great sense of security.
Next, we will make the crossbow.
Lu Fan used the remaining elm wood to carve some parts. Although they were rough, they had basic functions.
He carefully arranged the parts one by one, studying their shapes and uses as if he were cracking a mysterious code.
"This part is used as the trigger, and this is the device for fixing the crossbow string. Don't underestimate these small parts; they are the core of the crossbow." He said as he began to assemble them.
His fingers deftly manipulated the parts, securing them one by one to the crossbow. He repeatedly checked each connection point to ensure it was secure, leaving no detail overlooked that could cause a problem.
"The accuracy of the crossbow is crucial. Even the slightest deviation can affect its performance. If it fails at a critical moment, it could be dangerous."
His tone was serious, and An Lan watched quietly from the side, not daring to make a sound for fear of disturbing him. She could only cheer him on silently in her heart.
Installing the crossbow string was a crucial step. Lu Fan took out a twisted hemp rope.
He carefully secured one end of the hemp rope to the crossbow arm.
After much effort, the hemp rope was finally successfully installed on the crossbow arm, forming a perfect crossbow string that gleamed with a tough luster in the sunlight.
With his mission accomplished, Lu Fan picked up the finished crossbow and began to test it.
He pulled the trigger, the crossbow string made a crisp sound, and the bolt shot out like lightning, hitting the distant target accurately and raising a cloud of dust.
"An Lan, you try it." Lu Fan handed the crossbow to An Lan. An Lan took the crossbow, feeling both nervous and excited, her hands trembling slightly.
Following the method Lu Fan had taught her, she took a deep breath, pulled the trigger, and the crossbow bolt shot out. Although it didn't hit the bullseye, it still hit the target.
"Not bad, hitting the target on your first try is already great. With a few more practice sessions, you'll definitely hit the target every time," Lu Fan encouraged, his eyes full of approval.
After finishing the crossbow, Lu Fan remembered the brick house he had built before.
He said to Anlan, "I'll go check if the brick house is completely dry. If it is, we can move in. Then we can live in a safer and more comfortable place."
An Lan nodded in agreement, her eyes full of anticipation.
Lu Fan arrived at the brick house and began to inspect it carefully.
He tapped the wall with his fingers, listening to the sound to judge the dryness, and then checked the waterproofing of the roof, climbing up and down to make sure there were no signs of leakage.
“The brick house is completely dry and the structure is very stable, so we can move in with peace of mind.” He returned to the shelter and happily told Anlan, his face beaming with joy.
So the two began the moving process.
Actually, there wasn't much stuff—just a bed and some cups, tableware, and other daily necessities—but the two of them were busy and having a great time.
"Finally, I have a real home," An Lan said with emotion, tears of happiness glistening in her eyes.
Lu Fan looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "Yes, no matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, this family will always be our strongest support. As long as we are together, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome."
As night fell, warm lights illuminated the brick house.
Lu Fan and An Lan sat at the dining table, eating a simple dinner, which included roasted wild fruits and dried food stored earlier.
Big Black lay to one side, wagging its tail from time to time, and occasionally came over, gazing at them longingly, wanting to share some of the food.
"You've had a busy day, so get some rest. I'll explore again tomorrow and see if I can find anything more useful," Lu Fan said, his tone tinged with anticipation.
An Lan smiled and shook her head: "I didn't do anything, I'm not tired at all. I'll go with you tomorrow, we can look after each other and explore more places."
Live broadcast room.
"Finally moved to the new house, it wasn't easy."
"Yes, it's such a wonderful feeling. We practically watched them come to life from nothing."
"Everything is getting better."
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