The Li family's house was as warm as spring. Li Jianguo had set aside all the usable pinewood Li Long had brought back, planning to make a few things when spring came. As for the pieces that were nearly rotten, he had split them into firewood for starting fires while Li Long was away hunting.
"Uncle, this gun's pretty heavy." On the kang, Li Qiang struggled to hold the small-caliber rifle, speaking with effort as it wobbled in his hands.
"This one's considered light." Li Long stood beside him, instructing his nephew. "Don't point the muzzle at anyone. You can't pull the trigger-I've put the safety on."
Li Juan sat on the kang with her doll in her arms, watching the gun with some curiosity.
"You went out to shoot a Mongolian gazelle and came back with a gun?" Li Jianguo still found it hard to believe. "When the team leader came over and told me earlier, I thought he was joking. How much is one gazelle worth? And how much does a gun cost? I never thought you'd actually bring one back!"
"We got four gazelles altogether," Li Long explained. "Three males. What they mainly wanted was the horns, to use as antelope horn. They needed them urgently. Besides, not just anyone can get a gazelle. The main problem is finding them."
"That's true." Li Jianguo nodded. "Everyone knows there are gazelles out on the Gobi, but nobody on our team has managed to shoot one. You're the first."
Li Long took the gun from Li Qiang and held it out to Li Juan.
"Want a look?"
"Yes!" Li Juan happily put down her doll and picked up the gun, aiming toward the window with a convincing stance.
"This gun should work for rabbits." There was a trace of