They stayed on the island for three full days, yet Gouge still could not bear to leave, living a devoted and simple life with his wife, Axiu.
Early that morning, dawn's faint light pierced through the thin mist, the first rays casting long beams into the forest shadows as Purple Smoke Island awoke to a new day. Rising early to pick persimmons, catch crabs, and roast fish and rabbits, Master Gou began the busy routine of his newlywed honeymoon—though he was still ninety-nine years away from becoming a time-honored roasting-fish immortal.
Axiu gently hugged Gouge from behind and smiled. "Why are you up so early again? Aren't you tired, Big Brother?"
Chapter 22