Chapter 893: But I Don’t Need a Mom

Editor: Henyee Translations

Gu Yang’s eyes narrowed as she studied Tong Rao closely. After a moment, she confirmed that Tong Rao seemed entirely serious.

This was perplexing.

Why would Tong Rao suggest that it was “not impossible” for her to have the Tong family?

Tong Rao was far from foolish. The Tong family was meant to be inherited by the Tong family itself, not given away.

Suddenly, everything began to connect for Gu Yang. Su Ziyun had claimed to know the truth about her origins. Su Ziyun was close to Tong Jiayin, and the Tong siblings’ sudden attack on her, combined with Tong Rao’s peculiar behavior, all seemed to fit together.

If Gu Yang were a member of the Tong family, it would explain everything.

“Looks like you’ve already figured it out,” Tong Rao said, her eyes flashing with admiration as she observed Gu Yang’s astonishment. She retrieved a document from the drawer by the bed and tossed it to Gu Yang.

“That’s right,” she said. “You’re my long-lost daughter.”

Gu Yang: “…!”

Gu Yang felt as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown in her face.

She picked up the document and examined it. It was a paternity test confirming that she and Tong Rao were mother and daughter. The test had been conducted using hair samples.

Obtaining hair samples quietly wasn’t particularly difficult, but Gu Yang sensed there was more to this than met the eye. She wasn’t fully convinced by Tong Rao’s claims.

Frowning, she looked at Tong Rao with suspicion. “Where did this paternity test come from?”

“Jiayin and Sinian had it done privately,” Tong Rao explained. “A while back, Tong Jiayin’s behavior was unusual. She even used the excuse of needing to pull out some white hairs to collect a few strands. I had my suspicions and had a private detective monitor her.”

The detective’s findings revealed that Tong Jiayin and Tong Sinian had secretly arranged for a paternity test between Gu Yang and Tong Rao. Although the doctor wasn’t one of Tong Rao’s own, she had the resources to acquire the test results.

Seeing the report brought back a flood of memories for Tong Rao—memories of a painful past she had tried to bury, including the child she had been forced to give up. The resurgence of this old nightmare was overwhelming, causing her to retreat into a troubled sleep.

Seeing the suspicion in Gu Yang’s eyes, Tong Rao let out a cold laugh. “I don’t lack children, and the Tong family doesn’t lack heirs. Do you really think I’d lie about being your mother?”

She admitted to admiring Gu Yang’s abilities and courage, believing she had the potential to be a formidable Family Head. However, if Gu Yang didn’t share the Tong family bloodline, no matter how much Tong Rao admired her, she wouldn’t grant her any claim to the family’s inheritance.

Gu Yang chuckled softly. “But I don’t lack a mother.”

In contrast to Tong Rao, who had suddenly appeared to acknowledge her as family, Gu Yang felt a stronger connection to Ruan Xueling, who had been a more consistent presence in her life.

Tong Rao frowned, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

She had expected Gu Yang to be thrilled at the revelation that they were mother and daughter.

After all, the status of the daughter of the Tong Family’s head far surpassed that of the adopted daughter of the Gu Family.

Gu Yang rose and offered a polite, yet distant smile. “Madam Tong, you don’t lack children, and I don’t lack a mother. Let’s just pretend this paternity test doesn’t exist.”

She had never felt a deep connection to her blood ties; what mattered more to her was the nature of their relationship. If Tong Rao hadn’t been complicit in covering up the Tong siblings’ crime against her, Gu Yang might have acknowledged her as her biological mother out of courtesy. However, knowing that Tong Rao had protected and indulged the very people who had harmed her, Gu Yang saw no reason to accept her as a mother.

Even if it meant being alone, she could still lead a fulfilling life without seeking out a family that had betrayed her.

Tong Rao was taken aback. She had considered countless scenarios, but she never imagined that Gu Yang would reject her as a mother.