The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

The last time Solberto came back, he was only given boiled crab.

Leo learned a new recipe from Lucia today and wants his uncle to try his cooking.

Although it was well past dinner time, he still busied himself in the kitchen.

Solberto first inquired about Leo's recent situation, and only after confirming that the only issue was with Salvatore and there were no other troubles did he feel relieved enough to get down to business:

"Enzo said you're a good swimmer, how deep can you dive?"

Leo, who was mixing chopped tomatoes, thought for a moment and replied:

"I haven't tried it, but Rosalia was in danger underwater yesterday, and I rescued her."

Leo only knew the old data; with the [Beginning of Mastery], that data was no longer relevant.

Hearing that they had encountered danger again, Solberto asked Leo to explain the situation to him in detail.

Underwater operations test not only the ability to hold one's breath, but also one's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and one's mental fortitude.

When emotions fluctuate, it can easily lead to distorted movements and disordered breathing.

Leo's ability to accurately locate and successfully rescue people without knowing their exact location, while ensuring their safety, demonstrates that he excels in all these aspects.

Just as Enzo said—Leo is an excellent swimmer, there's no need to worry about him being in danger.

Enzo said that people's fates are predetermined. Leo wanted to go to sea, and even if he was stopped this time, he would definitely go out in the future.

Since that's the case, Solberto decided not to interfere anymore.

Not only should they not stop him, but they should also try to help him solve his difficulties.

As a former shipyard owner, the first thing I could solve was the ship problem.

"A friend of mine upgraded his boat, and the original wooden boat is now idle. I'm on good terms with him, so I'll call him tomorrow and ask him to send the boat back sometime. There might be some minor bumps and scratches, but it'll be fine for use in coastal waters."

Leo, looking on expectantly, handed over a slice of replica tomato bread:

"I've found the boat."

"You found the ship?" Sorbetto exclaimed in surprise. "Where did you find it?"

Leo explained that he had recently helped Rosalia with a few small favors, and she had lent him these things.

Solberto nodded.

Rosalia doesn't like owing favors, but she will definitely repay such a big favor, such as saving someone's life, within her capabilities.

The boat problem is minor... the real challenge lies ahead.

Leo is poor!

Sorbe made a lot of money when he ran a shipyard, and when his best friend's son wanted to go to sea, it was no problem to give him a set of equipment and fishing gear.

"Don't worry about the equipment, I'll take care of it." He said earnestly.

Rio was more serious than Solberto:

"Don't worry, I've already taken care of the equipment issue."

Solberto remained silent.

He ate the entire slice of bread before calming down and asking:

"How was it resolved?"

Leo explained to him that he had been spending a lot of time with Andrei recently, and the old man felt bad about it, so he decided to help him pay the money.

During this time, she inadvertently revealed her envy and admiration for Andrei, referring to him as a rich man.

Solberto crunched his bread loudly.

I thought to myself, how could Andrei, a retired teacher, be richer than me, a former shipyard owner?

This is utterly upside down!

"Then I'll help you find a purchasing channel. Andrei doesn't understand things at sea," Solberto said, barely suppressing his surging anger.

Seeing that Solberto had finished a whole slice of tomato bread so quickly, Leo handed him another slice:

"The issue of purchasing channels has also been resolved... so you don't need to worry about it anymore."

Solberto was completely flushed, and having drunk quite a bit that evening, he raised his voice:

"And who solved it for you?"

Leo laughed and said:

"Don't worry about me every time you come back. I'm doing very well in Marzamemi. Tell me about yourself, how have you been lately? What are you doing at your post-conference? Is Palermo fun? I haven't been there yet..."

Solberto held the tomato bread in his hand, remaining silent for a long time, just staring at Leo.

After four or five seconds, he suddenly went from angry to laughing:

"You Volpe family members... are all the same."

"What does it look like?" Leo asked curiously.

Solberto took a bite of the bread in his hand:

"No matter where you are, a group of people can always quickly gather around you, and everyone is willing to help you."

Leo sighed and said:

"I only remember that there were always a lot of guests at my house when I was a child."

Leo's father was a businessman, and his family had guests almost every day when he was a child. His father also had many close friends from all over the world, and Solberto was just one of them.

Sorbetto finished his bread in a few bites, then tapped the table and said to Leo:

"I can ignore everything else; I believe you can handle it. But you must listen carefully to my advice on the experience of going to sea; you can't learn that from others."

Leo nodded vigorously:

"I will wait carefully for your return. Safety will be the top priority for the next two months, and I will absolutely not do anything that carries even the slightest risk."

The equipment and fishing gear issue has been resolved.

The problem of what to catch has also been solved.

Experience is the only thing Leo currently lacks.

"No," Sorbet shook his head. "If I tell you in two months, it'll be too late. Are you sleepy now?"

Leo also shook his head:

"I got up late today."

Solberto solemnly said:

"Then I'll try my best to tell you the common knowledge you need to know now, and you can remember as much as you can."

Leo got up late, but Solberto woke up early today to get going.

However, the thought that Leo might find himself in dangerous situations due to his lack of experience made him wide awake.

"The Volpe family are all the same; wherever they go, a group of people can quickly gather around them, and everyone is willing to help them."

More than 20 years later, this statement has come true once again for Solbert.

......

Solberto talked about everything from the weather to ocean currents.

From self-rescue after falling into the water to recognizing fishing seasons.

Then, from controlling the ship's position, we talked about emergency repairs to the ship.

The knowledge about going to sea cannot be explained in a sentence or two, especially since it is difficult to learn on land.

Solberto could only explain it repeatedly and meticulously, afraid that even the slightest omission would lead to disaster.

By the time he had finally finished imparting most of the knowledge needed for near-shore diving and fishing, the sun had already risen above the horizon.

"This should be enough for you for the next two months. I'll teach you the rest when I get back."

Sorbet stayed up all night, talking non-stop.

While moved, Leo also felt a greater sense of responsibility, as if going to sea was no longer a solitary endeavor.

"I'll strive to make a name for myself at sea as soon as possible," Leo shouted, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Solberto stood up and stretched his stiff old back in the sun:

"You Volpe family members will always succeed if you set your mind to it."

That night, Uncle Sorbet mentioned "your Volpe family" several times, clearly referring to more than just one or two people.

Leo asked curiously:

"Is my uncle that kind of person too?"

Solberto chuckled strangely twice without saying a word.

Seeing his expression, Leo knew there must be some big gossip, and immediately became interested, pressing him for details:

"Tell me about it."

Sorbet glanced down at the time:

"Maybe next time, I'm going back now."

"You're leaving today?" Leo exclaimed in surprise.

When they talked about why he came back that night, Solberto said he came back to take care of some business.

Leo thought he would be staying in Malzamemi for a few days.

Solberto said with a smile:

"You've finished your business; you can leave now."