The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

One of the key factors that enabled Sicily to become the birthplace of the Mafia is the exceptional unity of its people.

This is why it is difficult for outsiders to settle down.

Upon seeing Old Paul's menacing appearance, several villagers quietly approached.

The second rule of Sicily is to stand firmly behind your own people, regardless of the reason, whether you are right or wrong, or who is in the right or wrong.

......

Leo felt insecure just facing Paul alone.

Suddenly, the opposing team had grown to several people, and Marco had even left... Leo was even more overwhelmed, and his heart rate soared.

But suppressing his immense fear, he took a step forward and calmly asked old Paul:

"What's the matter?"

Old Paul gritted his teeth and said:

"The boss sent me over—"

With a whoosh, even more villagers gathered around.

Natale has an excellent reputation in Marzamemi; he's a man everyone gives a thumbs up to.

If Leo offended Natale, then no one would tolerate him!

"Smash—"

Old Paul pulled something out of his pants.

People around him thought he had pulled out a weapon, so they all picked up their fish baskets, vegetable baskets, plastic bags and other "weapons" to show their support for him.

Leo also thought his opponent was about to use a weapon, so he instinctively leaned back to dodge the attack.

But during the process, he realized something was wrong—there was something wrong with that 'weapon'!

Upon closer inspection, I noticed something else near my mouth—a cigarette.

An unnatural blush appeared on old Paul's dark brown face:

"The boss said you haven't placed any bets yet, and he's asking if two packs of cigarettes would be okay?"

"Huh? Ah... okay, okay." Leo nodded blankly.

Old Paul put the cigarette in Leo's mouth and then handed him a lighter.

"The boss likes this brand of cigarettes, remember that!"

Seeing that Leo wouldn't take the fire, old Paul glared and roared:

"Draw it!"

Leo quickly took the lighter, lit his cigarette, and said:

"Thanks."

Although he was full of questions, he didn't smoke.

But if an old man of that age offers you a cigarette, that's a big favor, and there's no reason not to accept it.

What Leo understood, others understood as well.

Moreover, those around him understood a certain "truth" more clearly than Rio.

Old Paul was known throughout the surrounding area as a "loyal dog," showing no respect to anyone except Natale.

The fact that he offered Leo a cigarette suggests that Leo and Natale have a private connection and a fairly good relationship.

Everyone looked at Leo with curiosity and surprise.

When did Natale begin to interact with this newcomer?

......

"Does the newcomer know Natale?"

Salvatore, who had been stealthily approaching, roared silently in his heart.

He was prepared to loot the loot box, but the result was completely different from what he expected.

How is that possible?

Salvatore has been in Marzamemi for over a year, and all he gets to do is smoke secondhand smoke; not a single local has ever offered him a cigarette.

And the person who offered the cigarette was old Paul!

Even today, if he accidentally catches a glimpse of old Paul's fist, his face still stings slightly...

He wasn't worried about Marco causing trouble, but he was really afraid of a conflict with Natale, who had one of the worst reputations in Marzamemi.

After a brief moment of thought, Salvatore retreated again.

We cannot act rashly; we must plan carefully!

.......

"It's not just as simple as knowing each other..."

Aesop threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out.

He worked with Natale for seven or eight years and never smoked a cigarette offered by old Paul.

Every time he asks for something, he only gets a rolling eye in return.

That old man is very stingy; he'll only give Natale cigarettes, and won't give any to anyone else.

"So Natale sent old Paul over there?" Aesop thought this speculation was utterly absurd.

This doesn't make any sense at all...

Why did Natale do this?

Suddenly, Aesop looked in the direction where the fishing boats were moored and had a second theory:

"The kid Natale was talking about... is it Leo?"

......

Natale sat on the edge of the boat and asked from afar:

"Resolved?"

Old Paul replied with a mournful face:

"Boss, why didn't you send Riccardo to handle this? Why should I offer him a cigarette? I don't want to go!"

Natale stood up, smiled, and stretched.

"Didn't I already explain? You'd be more imposing. Riccardo's timid and submissive manner might lead to him getting bullied by Salvatore and his gang. It's also not suitable for me to go; they'll run away as soon as I arrive, and I can't put on this act."

"He dares?!" Old Paul jumped onto the fishing boat. "They dare bully Riccardo? I'll beat them to a pulp!"

Ricardo poked his head out from the bow and asked Natale:

"Boss, how did you know Salvatore was going to bully that outsider? You didn't even know what they were saying, and you just sent old Paul over there right away."

"The boss just doesn't like that idiot, just like me!" Old Paul said angrily.

Natale responded without much emotional fluctuation:

"I have no prejudice against Salvatore, nor am I jealous of his luck. I just want to warn him not to have any improper thoughts."

Riccardo asked, puzzled:

"But Leo is from out of town...why should we help him?"

This is not in accordance with Sicilian customs.

Natale looked at his two companions and said, word by word:

"Sicily is a very complicated place. Every place has its own rules, every profession has its own rules, and even every person has their own rules... There are too many to remember, but I have kept Sandro's rules firmly in my heart since I was twelve years old—fishermen must obey the will of the sea, and the sea never cares who you are, but only what abilities and skills you have."

Natale gazed towards the sea, her eyes filled with reverence.

"Leo is more capable than Salvatore. He can catch so many crabs, and it's not just luck. He's also more diligent than Salvatore. Look at what time Leo arrives, and what time does Salvatore arrive? And what I like most about him is that he never complains. He always looks for the reasons within himself first. So in my eyes... Leo is the one who can get rid of Salvatore at any time. He doesn't have that status, so I'll do it for him. It's that simple."

Riccardo rubbed his head, seemingly unable to process so many words all at once.

Old Paul didn't care at all what his boss meant; he just wanted to listen to his boss.

Seeing that his two subordinates hadn't reacted at all after he'd uttered such a philosophical statement, Natale waved his hand helplessly:

"Alright, let's go. We've been delayed a bit; we'll be back half an hour late today."

Without saying a word, old Paul went to the bow of the ship to raise the anchor.

Riccardo then wailed in agony:

"Oh? You're coming back even later? I got home at 9 pm yesterday, and my mom and sister had already cooked dinner."

Natale rubbed his head:

"They won't eat until you get home safely. Because I delayed you today, you and Paul will get an extra ten percent of what we brought up."

"Long live the boss!!"

Cheers escorted the fishing boat out of the harbor.

May Lady Luck smile upon them and bless them with a bountiful harvest.