Running around the island’s coastline takes an hour.
Three laps take three hours...
After two hours, Xiaocong was too exhausted to move anymore.
He stopped, panting heavily, but didn’t dare lie down on the ground.
At this moment, even breathing was painful. Lying on the ground would surely be fatal...
"You indeed have some skill. You’ve already run two laps." A cold voice sounded from behind.
Xiaocong turned around warily and saw Coach Zhou. There was no hatred in his eyes, only calmness. He hid all his emotions beneath that calm facade.
"It’s because of your training. If you hadn’t been training me every day, I probably wouldn’t be able to run even a half lap," Xiaocong said calmly, with a hint of mockery in his tone.
Coach Zhou didn’t mind. He approached Xiaocong and suddenly flashed a smile, "You recognized me a long time ago, didn’t you? So why did you pretend not to know me?"
Xiaocong took a step back, with suspicion and caution in his eyes.
"I recognized you. You’re the uncle who came to find my mom that time. But I don’t know if you’re good or bad. Anyway, we don’t know each other well. We’ve only met once. Whether I recognize you doesn’t matter."
Coach Zhou laughed heartily, a hint of admiration in his eyes, "Kid, you’re very smart."
Xiaocong smiled faintly, "I’m almost six years old. I’m not a little kid of two or three anymore."
"..." Coach Zhou’s mouth twitched slightly.
He coughed lightly and said, "If I told you I’m a good person, would you believe me?"
Xiaocong blinked, his expression very calm.
Coach Zhou knew his guard was up, so he said, "Do you know why I’m particularly hard on you, punishing you?"
"Because I don’t obey."
"No, it’s because I’m acting and also protecting the both of us."
Hearing this, Xiaocong’s face clearly showed his confusion.
Coach Zhou said seriously, "They know I know your father. They’re worried I might secretly contact the outside to save you. If I act even slightly unusual, they’ll definitely kill me. If I’m dead, who would protect you on this island?"
"You... are you here specifically to protect me?" Xiaocong asked in surprise.
"No, I was just captured and brought here. I didn’t expect to run into you here."
"Uncle, you were captured just like me?" Xiaocong was even more shocked.
Coach Zhou nodded gravely, "Yes, I was captured for training just like you. I was captured earlier than you. Seeing you here was a surprise for me. Fortunately, you didn’t recognize me back then; otherwise, they would have been suspicious."
Xiaocong’s eyes suddenly reddened, as if seeing a long-lost relative. His emotions were very intense.
"Uncle, can you save me? No, you just need to inform my dad, and he’ll definitely come to rescue me!"
"I can’t save you for now. The only thing I can do is protect you in secret. Actually, I’m also under their watch. Only when they’re sure I won’t help you will they relax their guard."
"It’s okay, Uncle. I believe that one day, we’ll both leave this place!" Xiaocong, though disappointed, understood.
Coach Zhou nodded, smiling, "Actually, I have a grudge against your father. My giving you a hard time seems like revenge against him,