The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

Chapter 108 I'm helping you, child.

Today, the spotlight in Malzamemi is on Aurelio, and the name "Master Forger" can be heard everywhere.

But in the seaside mansion, they talked more about someone else.

"Father, I called the Cumanso family this morning and gave them a detailed account of Leo's situation and your assessment. They said they would take Leo seriously and give him some opportunities," Antonino reported to Sandro after giving his instructions.

Sandro was a reasonable man who believed that fishermen should obey the will of the sea, and that the sea never cared who you were, but only what your abilities and skills were.

Yesterday's harpoon test was indeed spectacular, but Sandro wasn't interested in the harpoon itself, but rather in the newcomer Leo, who had delivered a stunning throw.

The old captain realized that this was not something an ordinary person could do.

Leo's trip to Messina represents Marzamémi, not him personally.

In this matter, he was identified as a fisherman from Marzamemi, not an outsider.

Sandro hoped that the young man would be given important responsibilities by the Cumanso family and have more opportunities to perform, so that more people would hear and remember the name of Marzamemi. Therefore, he sent his eldest son to make a recommendation to the Cumanso family.

Sandro had faith in Antonino's abilities; those of them behind the scenes had done all they could, and now it was up to Leo to prove himself.

So we need to give Leo a good talking-to and make sure he performs well in Messina.

"Call Leo over, and see who didn't go out at noon. Call them all over and have a small farewell party for him, so everyone can sit together and chat for a bit."

Normally, there is a large farewell party hosted by Sandro himself before the candidates for Marzamémi depart each year.

However, because Rio was from out of town, Sandro cancelled the match.

Leo's performance last night made Sandro think it was necessary to make some changes.

There's no time for a large one, so a small one will do.

"Okay," Antonino agreed.

Leo was diligently making harpoon boxes at the shipyard when he heard someone calling his name outside the door.

Upon going outside, I saw a guy who looked familiar but whose name I couldn't recall—

He's around 1.75 meters tall, neither fat nor thin, with tanned skin that isn't the kind that's been pickled. He has a long face without any obvious angular features. Overall, he's the kind of person you might not remember even if you've seen him many times.

.

"Hello." Leo clapped the sawdust off his hands.

"Hello, I'm Antonino, Bianchi's older brother," Antonino introduced himself.

Leo warmly invited them inside: "Come in and let's talk."

Antonino showed no intention of going in and went straight to the point: "You're going to Messina tomorrow, which is a big deal for Marzamemi. Come to my house at noon and hear what everyone has to say about Messina; it might be helpful."

Antonino didn't explicitly say it was a farewell party, fearing that Leo would suspect why he was being notified so soon and thus guess that it was a last-minute decision.

If he later inquires about the farewell party and finds out that everyone else had a large farewell party while he didn't... he might blame his father.

Antonino's words were watertight, but Leo didn't overthink it at all.

He had just been thinking about how to go to Sandro's house at noon to "recover" some money from Angie, and now he didn't need to think of an excuse.

"Leo will continue making the forklift box," Antonino said, and after agreeing on a time, he took his leave.

Jolio is doing well here; he didn't go out to sea today.

But none of the other fishermen in the village were home, and it would be too strange if only the brothers organized a farewell party for Leo...

Antonino was frantically searching for people to attend the farewell party when he bumped into the village chief, Orlando.

"Antonino, do you have something to do later? Shall we talk?"

The "king" in "To catch a thief, first catch the king" in Orlando refers to Sandro.

Sandro certainly didn't have time to host Orlando, but the eldest son of the Mariani family was friendly and polite, and more importantly, he was now Sandro's "eyes and mouth."

Antonino replied politely, "I'm so sorry, I'm busy. Let's do it another day."

"Do you need my help?" Orlando asked ingratiatingly.

Antonino thought for a moment.

The village chief has no real power in Malzamemi, and Leo doesn't know that either. Calling Orlando over to fill in would be fine.

"Are you free at noon? If not, why don't you come over to my house?"

Orlando nodded immediately.

This is fantastic! I get to see the King!

After lunch, Leo went to Sandro's mansion at the agreed time.

Compared to Aurelio's house, this place is much grander and right next to the sea; it's exactly the kind of house Leo dreamed of.

"I forgot to ask Andrei this morning if he had found a suitable house for me." Leo's desire to settle down became urgent.

He entered the courtyard and saw a kind-looking old woman in a black dress making tomato sauce with several other women.

The old woman nodded to Leo and said kindly, "Go in, they're all waiting for you."

Leo returned Mrs. Rosa's smile.

Although the two did not have direct contact, Angie and Bianchi described their mother as a very positive figure.

Compared to Madame Rosa, their father Sandro was practically a big boss.

First, they habitually used a suppressive approach to education, comparing Anqi to them, and then said that helping him forge iron for a few days was a waste of time.

Then, regarding Anji...

"Father, can you calm down? I haven't finished my speech yet! Mother! Mother!! Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Just as Leo was thinking about Angie, he heard Angie pleading loudly for mercy.

Mrs. Rosa put down the large spoon in her hand, not even bothering to wipe her hands, and hurried into the house.

Leo followed her inside.

There were already several people in the living room. Besides Andrea, Angie, Bianchi, and Antonino, there were three other people that Leo didn't recognize.

"And Sandro is giving Ainge a beating in full view of everyone."

"Fine, you're really something. The prerequisite for the Mariani family to become a legend is that I relinquish power. Angie, if you want me to retire, just say so. You don't need to infuriate me first!"

This scene plays out several times every few months in the Sandro family, and everyone is used to it, especially Angie's brothers.

But Leo keenly noticed that a curly-haired man wearing a vest was also grinning or dodging in rhythm with Angie's howls, just like him... He was probably seeing this scene for the first time, just like Leo.

Anji and his father played "Qin King Circling the Pillar," dodging while spouting profound truths that made one's blood run cold.

Leo quietly moved to Bianchi's side and whispered, "What's going on?"

In the morning, Angie and Leo went over the plan together.

He said he would find a suitable time to talk to Sandro. With his mother at home, his only fate would probably be confinement.

But there were outsiders in the living room at that moment, and Mrs. Rosa was at home, yet that didn't change the fact that she had been beaten... It doesn't make sense.

Bianchi glanced at the curly-haired man present and quietly replied to Leo, "Before you arrived, Orlando and his father chatted about fishing for a bit, but before they could even get to the point, Angie stepped forward and offered a bunch of opinions, and his father couldn't help but... and that's how it ended."

Leo glanced at the curly-haired man and confirmed with Bianchi, "Is that the village chief?"

"Yes." Bianchi nodded.

"Leo—" Angie, failing to circle the pillar, grabbed Leo's leg, who was whispering to Bianchi, and said, "You're from outside. Tell Father, am I right? My proposal is helping Malzamemi, helping the Mariani family!"

What you said this morning makes a lot of sense!

Leo helped Angie up.

This was precisely the purpose of his trip.

He patted Angie's arm and sighed, "You're such a thoughtless child. How could you upset your father like that? Apologize now."

Bianchi and Antonino gave Leo an approving look.

Angie unleashed murderous hostility at Leo.

You betrayed me!

Leo turned his head away, unable to bear watching any longer.

Child, I'm trying to help you.

My abilities are limited, and I cannot help you persuade Sandro to overturn a century-old tradition.

All I can do for you is to get you out of this family.

It is known that Angie is a traitor to the Mariani family. Only by making him betray the family forever can the division of the [hostile forces] be caused.

If we speak up for Anji at this time, wouldn't it be a happy ending if their family were to live happily ever after?

"Even Leo knows this, but you don't! What did you learn outside of school?!"

"Father, Father, please don't hit Father!!"

You've added fuel to the fire within the rival faction's family.

Overall rating: Pass

[Congratulations, host! Mission to disrupt the unity of hostile forces complete.]