Liao Ying noticed Gu Shaojin's growing anger and didn't dare to breathe loudly, afraid of offending her son.

She lowered her head, her hands resting quietly on her knees, her eyes wandering as she stared at her hands.

She truly has no courage left.

If she were to directly tell Gu Shaojin that she was his biological mother, she couldn't imagine what would happen next.

"Shaojin, don't be angry. Your mother must have her reasons," the dean said earnestly.

Gu Shaojin released his fist, and he glanced indifferently at the dean before replying with icy coldness.

"Forget it. What business is it of my what troubles a stranger, who is only related to me by blood, has?"

Ming Jiayi's surprised expression lingered as she stared intently at Liao Ying and Gu Shaojin.

To be honest, she really did think that Gu Shaojin looked more like her mother.

She reached out and tugged at Gu Shaojin's clothes, then spoke earnestly.

"Don't just crush her like that. Maybe your mother really has some unspeakable difficulties. If you meet her someday, give her a chance, and give yourself a chance too."

Gu Shaojin quickly grabbed Ming Jiayi's hand, turned around to look at her, and in that instant, his gaze softened.

"Have you finished talking with the dean? If you're done, we'll leave. It doesn't seem to be convenient for the dean to be here anytime soon."

"We've talked enough, but how about we sit a little longer? Is there anything I can help you with?" Ming Jiayi said somewhat slowly.

"Aren't you supposed to be going to hear tomorrow's arrangements? And the contract should be ready by now, I'll take it and sign it while I'm at it," Gu Shaojin said in a low, calm voice.

Ming Jiayi's gaze involuntarily turned to Gu Shaojin's back. She saw Liao Ying with a droopy face, staring longingly at Gu Shaojin, as if she was particularly reluctant to part with him.

“It’s alright, I asked Mo Xing to go for me. They probably haven’t finished making arrangements yet, let’s go over when they’re done. Why don’t you stay here and chat with this aunt for a while? I’ll discuss the surgery with the hospital director.”

After saying that, Ming Jiayi broke free from Gu Shaojin's hand and pulled the dean towards the office door. The speed was so fast that Liao Ying didn't even have time to react.

Gu Shaojin sat there with a sullen face, his body temperature had dropped to freezing point, and his face was full of displeasure.

Liao Ying sat there steadily. Although she had been given the opportunity to be alone with her son, she was terrified and dared not speak to Gu Shaojin at all.

"Dean, is this aunt Gu Shaojin's biological mother?" Ming Jiayi asked the dean anxiously while keeping an eye on the situation in the office.

The dean looked at Ming Jiayi with some surprise and blurted out, "How did you know?"

Ming Jiayi slapped her head in frustration.

"I knew it... At first I thought this aunt had some kind of grudge against Gu Shaojin's mother, but I didn't expect her reaction to be just modesty..."

The dean looked at Ming Jiayi with a bewildered expression, "Then how did you figure it out later?"

"The aunt's behavior was a bit strange, and the two questions she asked later were very direct, in the tone of a mother who had been separated from her for many years."

"The last two questions, are you referring to the one Liao Ying asked Shao Jin about whether he would blame or forgive his biological mother?" the dean asked, thinking carefully.

“Yes.” Ming Jiayi nodded seriously. She was silent for a moment, then looked intently at the dean and asked, “So, Dean, why did Auntie leave Gu Shaojin and disappear back then? And why did she disappear for over 20 years…”

The dean sighed softly, unsure of where to begin.

"This matter is quite complicated and cannot be explained in just a few words. You can go home and ask your parents; they should know the answer, and they can explain it to you slowly."

"All right."

"Are you sure you want to do that stomach cancer patient's surgery? If you are, I'll call and tell her. But in my experience, the risks are just too high; it's best not to do it," the hospital director said earnestly to Ming Jiayi.

“Do it.” Ming Jiayi nodded firmly. “As a doctor, I can’t give up as long as there’s a glimmer of hope. Please have the dean call and inform her. Also, please have the dean arrange Wan Yu’an’s surgery, preferably within the next couple of days.”

"Okay," the dean replied, sounding somewhat helpless.

An endless silence fell over the office. Liao Ying's hands trembled incessantly as she picked up the cup of tea on the table and slowly drank it all.

Gu Shaojin glanced indifferently at Liao Ying's trembling hand, then his fist clenched again involuntarily.

He straightened up and walked angrily toward the door.

Ming Jiayi frowned, looking at Gu Shaojin with some confusion. Then she peeked inside and saw Liao Ying also staring at Gu Shaojin's back with a puzzled expression.

Why did you come out?

"Boring," Gu Shaojin replied indifferently.

Ming Jiayi pointed into the office, tilting her head and staring intently at Gu Shaojin.

Gu Shaojin tilted her head slightly and glanced back, then said coldly, "Dean, I'm sorry, I can't entertain your guest."

"Huh? Did you two have a fight?" the dean asked, looking at Gu Shaojin who seemed a little angry.

"I didn't say anything," Gu Shaojin replied calmly. "Have you finished talking?"

"Hmm. But..."

"Then Dean, we'll be going now." Gu Shaojin said, pulling Ming Jiayi directly towards the elevator without giving Ming Jiayi a chance to speak.

Liao Ying walked out of the office in a hurry, staring sadly at Gu Shaojin and Ming Jiayi's retreating figures, feeling a pang of heartache...

"Take it slow, these things can't be accomplished overnight," the dean said with a sigh. "Where's Old Gu? Did he go home to wait for you?"

"No, he's waiting for me in the parking lot," Liao Ying replied in a hoarse voice. "I'm leaving now. Let's get together another time."

“It’s been over 20 years since we last met. Come in and have a cup of tea. Call Old Gu up. I haven’t seen him for several years either,” the dean said, his voice slightly heavy.

Liao Ying turned to look at the dean; her face looked somewhat weary.

"Yes, it's been over 20 years since we last met. Shao Jin has grown so much, and we've all gotten old..."

"That's right. Why don't we come to my house for dinner tonight? Siting will be so happy to know you're back."

"Oh, let's come another day. Please say hello to Siting for me. I'm going to discuss with Gu Ze tonight what to do about Shao Jin."

“Okay…” the dean replied somewhat solemnly.