The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

During the early morning fish market hours, the entire village gathers near the dock.

Business is slow in all the shops in Marzamemi.

At this time every day, shop owners would gather in groups of three or five to chat about village gossip and comment on current events.

This is often the most relaxing moment of their day.

But today, the coffee shop owner, Marco, kept smoking and didn't join the conversation at all; everyone could tell at a glance that he was preoccupied.

"It's only a few o'clock, and you've already smoked so many cigarettes?"

Not wanting to see Leo get beaten up, Marco left the fish market after Paul the Elder appeared.

Even though the person is gone, the heart remains, and it's inevitable to worry.

But he couldn't explain to the people around him that he was worried about that "new poor guy"... so he could only smoke one cigarette after another to relieve his anxiety.

I had smoked a few cigarettes, which had eased my mood somewhat.

But what Nicholas, the grocery store owner, said was exactly what some kid had said half an hour ago...

"Sigh." Marco lit another one.

Nicholas gave me a "I understand you" look:

"You're also thinking about going to work in a big city... aren't you?"

Marco turned his head to the other side, ignoring him.

I was thinking, "What does this have to do with anything?"

You understand now!

Marco's silence seemed to confirm Nicholas's guess, and he continued:

"In the past, leaving was the only way out for young people. Only 'stubborn boys' like us would stay in Marzamemi. Now even old guy Solberto has gone to Palermo. Even someone as cheerful as me is starting to doubt whether the decision to stay was the right one."

Marco continued to sigh.

Please stop talking, or I'll really lose my cheerfulness.

Marco didn't want to listen, but other bosses were willing to.

Savile, the tobacco shop owner, also bought one, his tone full of hesitation:

"Our generation of 'stubborn boys' children are growing up and will soon face the dilemma of whether to leave or stay. Sometimes I want them to stay, and sometimes I want them to go to big cities to make a living..."

He suddenly looked at Marco and asked:

"By the way, Marco, isn't your son about to start elementary school? Where are you planning to send him? A local school or one in the city?"

"Hey—" Marco turned his head to the other side.

Please, please stop talking, okay?

If you keep talking like this, I'm really going to get depressed!

Why do you always bring up unpleasant things?

Nicholas slapped Marco hard on the shoulder, almost knocking him to the ground:

"I know what you're thinking. Are you worried that your son will come back from the city like Angie and drive you crazy? Don't worry. Let me tell you, not all the outsiders who come to Marzamemi are penniless. Some are quite well-off. Wait a little longer. Maybe those who stay will have a brighter future than those who leave."

Savile, with a gossipy air as if he'd stumbled upon some juicy tidbit, pressed on:

"Who is it? Which penniless pauper has the financial means?"

Nicholas lowered his voice and said mysteriously:

"Leo!"

"Ugh—" Marco stormed off his seat in anger.

"What's wrong with you?" Nicholas asked, watching his retreating figure.

"I'm upset, okay?" Marco forcefully pulled open the coffee shop door.

Marco is often moody, sometimes happy and sometimes angry, and everyone is used to it.

Savile continued the previous topic, seemingly very interested:

"Leo? You mean the new guy who lives at the Sauberto shipyard?"

Leo had never been to the tobacco shop, but Saville had heard the villagers mention it—new outsiders had come to Malzamemi.

Nicholas said with absolute certainty:

"Yes, that's him! You know how accurate I am at judging people. I said he had financial resources, and he has financial resources! There's absolutely no mistake!"

Saville shook his head, half believing and half doubting:

"It turns out you have a terrible eye for people; you just think you're pretty good."

Nicholas patted his chest and guaranteed:

"I'm absolutely right this time, trust me!"

......

Leo loaded the crabs onto Aesop's truck and took 37000 lira from him.

In his past life, when his first month's salary was deposited into his bank account, he was excited, but it felt different compared to a thick wad of cash... It was a more direct kind of happiness.

Seeing Leo staring at the money like it was a treasure, Aesop reminded him:

"Today's situation is special, but I will still collect Natale's crabs and shells tomorrow."

He was afraid Leo would misunderstand, so he made a point of explaining.

"Understood!" Leo put the money in his pocket. "I know the rules here; you have established partners."

Seeing that Leo was very sensible and didn't make a fuss or argue unreasonably, Aesop realized that his loss this time was worthwhile—this was a friend worth making.

He nimbly leaped into the driver's seat with one hand, his agility unlike that of a portly middle-aged man. After confirming that the wooden stick under the seat was still there, he poked his head out and said to Leo:

"But if Natale doesn't bring back enough things someday, I'll keep looking for you."

"Thank you." Leo watched Aesop's truck drive away from the dock area.

......

Aesop has booked all the crabs, so Leo can pack up and leave early.

The fish market was still open and trading was in full swing. Leo packed up and left in full view of everyone, which brought him another wave of attention.

This is already the umpteenth time today.

It seems that the spotlight is always on him today.

First Marco, then Natale, and finally Aesop...

He's only been in Marzamemi for a few days, and he's already interacted with so many villagers?

We need to keep a close eye on this kid from out of town in the future.

......

Having made money, and even more importantly, Leo decided to treat himself to a big meal at "Lighthouse" today!

But it was still early, and there was still some time before lunch, so Leo walked to the square in Marzamémi, planning to buy an ice cream and sit by the sea for a while to relax and enjoy the tranquility of Sicily.

Just as he made his decision, the system's blue screen suddenly appeared in front of him.

Intense fighting is taking place on your territory!

You have received a time-limited mission: Resolve the firepower conflict.

[Mission Requirement: Please quell the unrest within one hour.]

[You set the rules, you own the land, and now they're taking action without your permission—that's the greatest contempt for you! Go, make them stop, and tell those poor bastards—here, no one will shed blood without your permission!]

[Quest Reward: Reputation +2]

Leo spun around in place and looked back at the way he came.

A fight broke out at the fish market?

Forget about the comfort and the ice cream... Leo ran back to the dock area.

At this time, if a "fight" were to break out anywhere, it would most likely be here.

"Being a godfather is really busy. I just had a few minutes of free time and then something else happened."