376: Xiaoling's Dream

Seeing that the mood was becoming too sorrowful, Pan Han stood up and said to everyone, "It's snowing today, let's go have hot pot. It'll be lively."

Children will always be children; as soon as she heard about hot pot, she immediately jumped up with excitement.

"Yay, hot pot! Eating hot pot on a snowy day is the best."

Ellie also hurried out from the restroom, her eyes red, and said, "I know a good hot pot restaurant nearby. How about I treat everyone?"

"No, no, let me treat you two instead. I've really caused you too much trouble lately." Qin Hongbing immediately stood up.

Although he was short on cash and the money had all been given by Pan Han, it was clear he was sincere.

Pan Han waved his hand. "In my hometown, the rule is whoever suggests it pays the bill. You two stop arguing."

Once he said that, the two couldn't argue anymore, so they had to put on their coats and get ready to leave.

Just then, in the three-person WeChat group with Yan Xiaoli, Wang Doudou, and Pan Han, the two beauties asked him if he wanted to have lunch together.

"I'm taking Little Ling out for hot pot at noon. Do you two want to come?"

A larger group is livelier, which is perfect for hot pot, and they could order a greater variety of dishes.

"Sounds good, send the location."

Half an hour later, both groups gathered at the hot pot restaurant.

In a large private room, steam was rising, the pot had already been served, and it was filled with various beef and lamb dishes.

Seeing so many beautiful women surrounding her and caring for her, Little Ling was overjoyed; her little face flushed red as she ran around the room.

This was perhaps the happiest day she had experienced in the last few years.

Qin Hongbing secretly wiped away tears; seeing the child so happy, he really couldn't hold it in anymore.

Facing bankruptcy, his child's serious illness, and his wife running away, he hadn't cried.

He had endured it all through sheer willpower.

But today, a group of people he didn't even know had come to help him through his difficulties.

He had thought the world had abandoned him, but he hadn't expected such a desperate counterattack.

If Pan Han was bound to a system, who could say that Qin Hongbing wasn't bound as well?

"Old Qin, it's all in the past. Work hard from now on." Pan Han patted his shoulder and handed him a glass of wine.

Qin Hongbing took the glass and downed it in one gulp.

Spicy, refreshing! Tears fell into the wine glass!

A man does not shed tears easily, unless he has reached a point of deep sorrow.

The dark world hadn't made him give up, but this display of love made him break down instantly.

Qin Hongbing stood up and went to the private room's restroom to wail loudly.

Pan Han leaned against the doorway without going in, watching the three beauties and Little Ling with a smile.

It was as if he were seeing the scene of a child being born in the apocalypse.

Children are hope!

Unlike Yan Xiaoli and Wang Doudou, Ellie was a killer.

She had seen too much life and death and had even thought that her life would just go on like this.

She might die one day while carrying out a mission.

But she hadn't expected that the new leader, Pan Han, would actually allow her to see such a day.

Everyone ate this meal until they were sweating all over, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Even Little Ling, who usually had a poor appetite, ate a lot of meat.

"Ellie, why is the meat at this restaurant so delicious?"

Ellie smiled after hearing this.

The cheapest plate of meat here cost over 100 yuan, not to mention the Wagyu beef that Pan Han had specially ordered, which was over 600 yuan a plate.

Of course it was delicious!

Ordinary people couldn't usually eat such high-quality beef and lamb.

Most families buying hot pot ingredients from local supermarkets got processed beef and lamb; apart from the taste of mutton or beef fat, they couldn't taste anything else.

"Little Ling, if you like it, we can come here often in the future." Ellie replied with affection.

"Little Ling, you must study hard. When you make a lot of money in the future, you can bring your dad here to eat." Yan Xiaoli said, patting her adorable little head.

Qin Hongbing looked at everyone with a smile, feeling especially warm inside.

"Okay, sister, I will study hard." Little Ling nodded seriously.

"Daughter, you study hard, and in the future, you can eat whatever you want, just like these uncles and aunts. Dad can eat anything." Qin Hongbing put down his wine glass and hugged Little Ling.

"Dad, are you not good at studying?" Little Ling's eyes darted around as she suddenly blurted out.

...

"Hahaha, your dad definitely wasn't good at studying. When I was in school, I only knew how to read web novels. That stuff really ruins people." Qin Hongbing suddenly blushed; his own daughter had thrown a boomerang at him, leaving his face covered in blood.

"Hahaha!" Pan Han and the others burst into laughter, amused by Little Ling.

"Old Qin, if you can't poop, don't blame the lack of gravity on Earth. What does that have to do with web novels?" Pan Han couldn't help but retort.

Qin Hongbing put Little Ling down and, emboldened by the alcohol, leaned into Pan Han's ear: "There was an author back then who wrote explicit content every day, every chapter. As soon as class ended, I had to go to the restroom. Do you think I could study well?"

"What's that author's contact information? Give it to me quickly." Pan Han's eyes lit up.

"Hehehe."

"Little Ling, come here, don't pay attention to those two." Seeing the situation, Ellie quickly pulled Little Ling over to her.

"Ellie, are you really good at studying?" Little Ling didn't understand; she didn't know what writing explicit content meant.

"Me? Hmm, I guess so. I was recommended for university admission." Mentioning her academic performance, Ellie looked proud.

She was the legendary type of genius.

"Wow! Ellie, you're amazing." Little Ling didn't know what being recommended for admission meant, but she knew it sounded impressive.

"Auntie Xiaoli, what school did you go to?" Little Ling asked as she snuggled into Yan Xiaoli's arms.

"Auntie isn't that great; I went to a film academy." Yan Xiaoli felt a bit deflated; she had only gone to a third-rate college, and her grades were very average.

"Auntie, you're so amazing to be able to go to a film academy. Can I film movies with you in the future?"

"Sure, when there's a role for a little girl, I'll definitely look for you." Yan Xiaoli didn't need to ask Pan Han for permission for something like this; she could decide for herself.

"Dou Dou Jie, what school did you go to?" Little Ling ran to Wang Doudou's side and asked, tugging on her arm.

"Me? Haha, I wasn't good at studying. But I went to university abroad."

"Wow, big sister is actually an international student."

"Yes, that's right. If you want to study abroad in the future, big sister can help you."

"I don't want to! If I go abroad, I won't be able to see Dad. I want to stay by his side." Little Ling shook her head vigorously, her gaze drifting toward Qin Hongbing.

Qin Hongbing cried again, wailing loudly. Pan Han quickly patted his shoulder, saying that the child was sensible and knew how to care for him.

It would have been better not to comfort him; after being comforted, Qin Hongbing cried even louder.

"Okay, Little Ling, whatever you want is fine. Anyway, in this world, there is nothing that Uncle Pan cannot do." Wang Doudou was also amused by Qin Hongbing.

"Is my Uncle Pan good at studying?" Little Ling asked with wide eyes.

"Your Uncle Pan isn't good at studying; he just has good luck." Wang Doudou laughed.

"You're talking nonsense. I got into a key university based on my own ability. Otherwise, how could I have come to the capital?" Pan Han complained on the spot upon hearing someone badmouth him.

"Daughter, look at these uncles and aunts; they are all people who are good at studying. Only by studying hard can you live a good life and not have to go out and carry bricks. You know?" Qin Hongbing said, tipsy, educating Little Ling.

"Dad, then I must study hard so that no one in this world has to carry bricks anymore." Suddenly, Little Ling's eyes burned with intensity as she said this in a firm tone.

...

Little Ling's answer left everyone stunned.

They hadn't expected that this little girl would have such a grand dream.

While they, having been in society for so long, only cared about whether they could live better lives themselves.

Pan Han smiled as he looked at Little Ling, seeing directly into her heart through those clear eyes.

Even if the King of Heaven himself came, this world is still worth living in!