Chapter 221: Tired of Living, Are They?
After entering the training room, Ning Xiyue immediately discovered how amazing the 2× speed really was.
All the lessons in the host training room were conducted at a fast pace.
Teacher Turtle’s speaking speed was astonishingly quick—so fast that Ning Xiyue worried its mouth might start smoking. It spoke rapidly yet clearly, every word crisp.
In her previous life, when she watched TV dramas on her phone at double speed, that was just the result of post-production editing—a product of modern technology.
But this was different. This was real double speed. Teacher Turtle was genuinely teaching at twice the normal pace, and it even demonstrated the hands-on procedures in real time at 2× speed.
Ning Xiyue had to follow along at that same pace too—working as if she were racing against time. The speed was no joke.
She knew Teacher Turtle wouldn’t get tired—but she sure did. Her hands felt like they might fall off.
She believed that after long-term training in double-speed classes, her hand speed would become terrifyingly fast.
After all, there were also 3×, 4×, 5× speed modes…
She could adjust it to whatever she wanted, but if she went too far, she’d exceed human limits—not just dislocate her hands, but ruin them completely.
Still, she found this multiplier system quite interesting—it cut her study time in half. She had already finished the lecture and was halfway through making the frostbite ointment. Soon, she’d be done.
Double-speed learning was perfect for when you were racing against time.
Ning Xiyue even began thinking—maybe she should get some clinical medicine books and learn a bit of surgery. At this speed, wouldn’t she basically have a cheat code? A surgeon’s daily work was all about racing against time, snatching lives from the hands of the King of Hell.
In the study room and the simulation room, her consciousness had a physical presence—everything she did there affected her real body outside.
If she could engrain this 2× speed into her muscle memory, she’d be able to pull even more people back from the brink of death. The King of Hell himself would kneel to her.
And if she managed to master 3× speed, the King of Hell would probably want to take her out—put her on the underworld’s blacklist.
That kind of hand speed would be useful anywhere.
Ning Xiyue kept that idea in mind.
Then she focused and carefully followed Teacher Turtle’s instructions to make the frostbite ointment.
At 2× speed, she quickly finished the hands-on session.
After completing the lesson, she moved into the simulation room and finished a batch of frostbite ointment that scored 90 points. By the end, her hands were trembling, heavy as lead, no longer feeling like her own.
This really was exhausting.
She weakly raised her hands, wincing as she flexed her fingers.
Seeing her like this, the system rushed over on its tiny legs, fussing over her—comforting, praising, and flattering her. After all, it couldn’t let the host’s precious points feel wasted. Customer satisfaction came first!
“Host, it’s always like this the first time you use double speed. You’ll get used to it! Actually, you’re way more amazing than most hosts—others usually start at 0.5× speed, but you went straight to 2×! You’re incredible, my great Host!”
As it finished speaking, the little turtle gave her a big thumbs-up, heart eyes sparkling adorably.
“Stop flattering me, and your eye better not cramp,” Ning Xiyue said with a small smirk. Her mood lightened—teasing the system always made her feel better, and her hands didn’t feel quite so sore anymore.
“Remember to give this new feature a five-star rating, Host~ Love you, heart!”
“….”
She knew it.
“Fine. Five stars.”
Ning Xiyue smiled helplessly, both fond and amused. “Alright, enough chit-chat. I’m going out to apply the ointment.”
“Yes, Host! Please go ahead!” The little turtle pulled out a handkerchief and waved it eagerly.
Once she stepped out with the ointment, she wasted no time applying it to her feet.
The green ointment spread over the frostbitten spots, sending out a cool sensation that instantly relieved the burning itch. The discomfort faded away, replaced by soothing relief.
With the ointment in hand, Ning Xiyue decided to be thorough—she applied it to every toe, just in case.
The effect was immediate. Within half an hour, the redness and swelling on her frostbitten toe had already subsided by more than half.
Her feet were warm now, but there was no itching at all—not even a tingle.
Truly effective.
Satisfied, Ning Xiyue put the ointment away—only to take it out again ten minutes later.
“Xiyue, do you have any medicine? My hand seems to have frostbite—it’s itching like crazy.”
Just as she expected.
She hadn’t thought her second brother’s frostbite would appear so quickly and so conveniently timed.
“I do. This is frostbite ointment made from the gall of the pig we slaughtered last year. It works really well—try it.”
Ning Xiyue handed him the small jar she’d already used.
Ning Qingyuan pressed the side of his hand where the frostbite had formed, resisting the urge to scratch. Taking the ointment with his other hand, he said, “I’ll give it a try. It’s so itchy I can hardly write.”
“It seems like the two of us even get frostbite together,” Ning Xiyue joked. “I just applied mine on my foot, and now you’ve got it on your hand. Perfect pair.”
She nearly burst out laughing—a hand and a foot! Even their frostbite came in matching sets.
“Xiyue, this ointment feels amazing! It’s cool, and the itch is gone instantly,” Ning Qingyuan said in surprise, staring at the spot where he’d applied it.
“Keep that small jar for yourself. Whenever frostbite shows up, apply it there. You won’t have to worry anymore—I still have plenty.”
All her ointments were stored in tiny round bamboo jars, each about the size of a silver dollar and three centimeters tall—small, neat, and easy to carry. Every batch she made filled several jars, perfect for gifting without taking up space.
This batch had filled seven jars exactly—enough for everyone in her family to have one, plus an extra she could send to Comrade Ji. No shortage at all.
“Then I’ll gladly accept it,” Ning Qingyuan said cheerfully. After applying it, his frostbite really did feel better. He tucked the jar away happily for later use.
“Mm.”
With the frostbite problem solved, Ning Xiyue finally felt relaxed enough to continue studying.
Over the next two days and nights, aside from eating, using the restroom, and applying medicine, she devoted herself entirely to her studies.
During the entire journey, no one else came to share their cabin. It truly was their good fortune—peaceful, quiet, and comfortable, as if they had reserved it all to themselves.
After getting off the train and taking a bus, they finally arrived at the county seat of Da’an County after several transfers.
It was lunchtime when they reached the town. This time, instead of rushing straight to the commune as before, they decided to eat at a nearby state-run restaurant.
Their prepared food and dry rations were already gone, and both siblings were starving. Without hesitation, they headed straight from the station to the nearest restaurant.
After eating to their heart’s content, they left the restaurant with full stomachs, bags in hand, walking lazily down the street.
Taking a sip of water, Ning Xiyue suggested, “Second Brother, since we’re already in town, why don’t we mail the letters here before heading back? Then we won’t have to stop in the township later. Once we get to the small courtyard at the town’s edge, we can grab the bikes and go straight home.”
“Good idea,” Ning Qingyuan agreed, then asked, “Little Sister, do you still want to buy anything? We could stroll through the department store while we’re here—Xiyue?”
Receiving no response, he turned his head and saw her staring toward a narrow alley. Following her gaze, he saw nothing unusual. “What are you looking at?”
“Brother, I saw someone familiar,” Ning Xiyue said, her eyes fixed on a door in the alley that had just closed. Her pace slowed.
Just moments ago, three people had entered that door—the man was carrying a girl in his arms, eyes closed. It was the same little girl who had bumped into her on the train.
“Who is it?” Ning Qingyuan asked curiously.
Ning Xiyue was just about to explain when a middle-aged woman holding a child appeared in her line of sight. Normally, she wouldn’t have thought much of it—but after what she’d just seen, the sight of this woman set off warning bells in her mind.
Subtly, she glanced at the boy resting in the woman’s arms. The instant she saw his face, Ning Xiyue’s pupils dilated, and fury flared in her chest.
Was this person… tired of living?!
