Chapter 58: Homemade Recurve Bow

Yan Yu ran over, and the women all laughed.

“What’s this? Just two rabbits, and everyone’s claiming credit for them, haha!”

“My boy says he shot them, but I don’t believe it. That tiny bow of his—his father only made it to humor him. I’ve seen it, and if it can shoot five feet, that’s already impressive.”

“My kid’s good with a slingshot. Maybe it really was him.”

“Er Ya’s mother, is Brother Yan Lao’er good at archery? Maybe he really did get one of them.”

Li Xuemei didn’t quite believe it. It had only been a few days—could he really have mastered a crossbow that fast?

“Who knows? I’ll go check.”

—

When Yan Yu and her mother heard that he hadn’t even lifted a finger and got the rabbits for free, they burst into laughter.

“Dad, you really need to step up your game! With that divine weapon in your hands, you still can’t outmatch a slingshot? Hahaha, I’m dying here!”

Yan Lao’er split the rabbits in two without even looking up. “I just started practicing. I just need more time, that’s all!

“Besides, everyone has their own strengths. I can’t hog all the talent, can I? Da Bao, your father’s already quite capable. If I were any more amazing, it wouldn’t leave room for anyone else to live. That wouldn’t be good.

“Just look at cooking—tell me, doesn’t my food taste better than everyone else’s?” He lifted his head proudly, waiting for praise.

Yan Yu burst into laughter again. “Dad, of course! How could they even compare to you?”

Most of them had probably never even stepped into a kitchen.

Her father’s ridiculous competitiveness!

—

The rabbits were a bit skinny, so Yan Lao’er decided to roast them all at once—one half plain and the other half with chili.

He stripped some branches and secured the rabbit meat. With no brush, he simply used his hands to spread the oil after washing them clean.

By now, he was quite experienced at setting up a roasting rack.

Once the fire was ready, he placed the oiled rabbit over it and began slowly turning it.

Yan Xiangheng watched eagerly. “Uncle, can you teach me how to roast?”

“Of course! Here, you turn this one.” Yan Lao’er readily handed him half the rabbit and let him turn it himself.

“If you’re in a hurry, keep it close to the fire and cook one side at a time. But if you want it to taste better, keep it a little further and turn it slowly.

“Once it changes color, don’t rush—wait a bit longer. When the color deepens, that’s when it gets crispy on the outside and tender inside.

“Now, sprinkle the seasoning. Yes, from that little bag—spread it evenly.

“Mmm! Smell that? That’s the aroma coming out.

“If we had better tools, I’d brush on some more oil in between—it would be even better!”

Yan Xiangheng, fumbling and flustered, finished roasting his first rabbit.

The smell and the color were just too tempting—he couldn’t wait to taste his own handiwork.

“No need for a knife—tearing it by hand is the best way. Don’t touch it, I’ll do it.” Yan Lao’er swiftly tore it apart.

Crispy skin, fragrant meat, and tender bones…

Gulp!

Saliva threatened to flood out of their mouths!

Yan Lao’er had his nephew take some to share with his father and Da Ya, then turned his full focus to his own half.

With great care, he sprinkled chili powder and cumin.

The two bold seasonings clashed, neither willing to back down, like two warriors locked in battle…

The result was an intoxicating aroma that could steal souls!

For the villagers, just having meat was a rare joy—even just a little bit was satisfying.

Yan Xiangheng thought he had learned the essence of roasting from his uncle, believing himself to have grasped the art.

But the moment Yan Lao’er brought out the chili and cumin, ordinary rabbit meat became extraordinary.

This taste—who could compete?

Yan Huaiwen sniffed the air and let out a small sigh.

So that’s where Tianyou’s money—no, his money—was going!

Chili and cumin were imported spices from foreign lands—rare and expensive.

Yan Lao’er was truly willing to splurge on good food.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the family of three was sweating buckets as they ate.

Yan Yu, of course, was a little carnivore.

Her father, worried that she couldn’t handle the spice, carefully tore pieces from the less seasoned edges for her.

When she had eaten her fill, she shamelessly licked her fingers…

Yan Lao’er even chewed and swallowed the bones—his teeth were something else.

Li Xuemei, utterly defenseless against spicy food, kept eating despite the heat—burning up, yet unable to stop.

Since they had arrived in this world, they hadn’t had such a satisfying meal.

When the villagers asked Yan Lao’er what he had used to season the meat, the answer left them stunned.

Foreign spices!

Like Yan Huaiwen, they gained a new understanding of Yan Lao’er’s obsession with good food.

Not only had he learned to cook just to eat better, but he was also willing to spend big money on seasonings.

That night, the scent of roasted rabbit lingered in the village.

That night, chili and cumin were planted in the hearts of the villagers…

—

Yan Lao’er suddenly noticed that the village men were showing great interest in his crossbow.

Everyone wanted to borrow it, and they often gathered in groups, discussing it enthusiastically.

The two boys’ slingshots had apparently been confiscated, leaving them to play with toy bows like the other children.

Finally, when they stumbled upon a sparse bamboo grove, everything became clear.

For the first time, the villagers themselves suggested staying another day.

Yan Huaiwen agreed without hesitation.

The men swarmed into the bamboo grove like they were afraid someone would snatch it away first.

Curious, Yan Lao’er followed them, watching as they hacked away at the bamboo.

They carefully examined the grain of the bamboo, selecting and cutting pieces.

Then, they split each section into two palm-wide strips.

Placing a wooden core between them, they wrapped the pieces together with fine hemp rope…

When they strung the so-called bowstring, Yan Lao’er finally understood—they were making bows.

And judging by the shape, recurve bows.

Damn, they were really something!

When the hemp string was drawn, the bamboo bent, storing energy. Released, it rebounded and shot the arrow forward.

The accuracy needed improvement, but the power was already decent.

“You guys figured this out on your own?” Yan Lao’er asked.

“Not bad, huh? We got the idea from your iron crossbow. The bow doesn’t need to be too long—shorter, with curved ends for extra power and range.” Hu Jia’s eldest son fired arrow after arrow, getting better each time.

Hu Jia’s second son hesitated, then pointed at the bow’s central grip. “I think we should carve a groove here. If the arrow passes through it, wouldn’t it fly straighter?”

Yan Lao’er was stunned.

Damn! This kid’s a genius!

Qi Wu immediately chimed in, “Let’s test it out!”

Without hesitation, he took his bow and carved out a notch.

Hu Jia’s second son tried a few shots, then shouted excitedly, “It works! It doesn’t scrape my hand anymore, and the accuracy is better. You guys try it too!”

Everyone eagerly tested it out, like children with a new toy.

Once the excitement settled, Hu Jia’s second son sighed. “If only we had better materials, we could shoot even farther.”

Yan Lao’er was speechless.

Why don’t you just go to the heavens already?

With such crude materials, he was already hitting the same bamboo tree twenty meters away with every shot.

Compared to him, Yan Lao’er felt like pure trash…