StarCraft: The Extinction Commander is completely smitten.

Chapter 167 [167] Tears welled up in her eyes

Dongfang Qingluan's beautiful eyes, clear and captivating like autumn water, anxiously searched for Qingyan's figure in the surroundings.

Just as her gaze wandered, she heard her mother's words and, unintentionally, met her mother's deep and complex eyes.

"Mother, seeing you so happy now, your daughter is truly happy for you too."

Dongfang Qingluan spoke softly, but a hint of bitterness was hard to hide in her words.

"But have you considered your daughter's current situation?"

"If my brother succeeds in this operation, then I will undoubtedly become the prime suspect!"

Her voice trembled slightly, her eyes began to redden, and tears welled up in them.

"Aren't you worried about me at all?"

These words seemed to have exhausted all her strength. After they were spoken, she felt as if her once passionate heart was being slowly torn apart, a pain that pierced her very soul.

She had always thought she held a very important place in her mother's heart, but only now did she realize that from beginning to end, she and her father were nothing more than two pawns in her mother's hands.

For the sake of her half-brother, her mother was willing to sacrifice everything she and her father had without any mercy.

This cruel reality was almost unbearable for her, filling her with despair and helplessness.

Even though Dongfang Qingluan already knew the truth, when her mother betrayed her and still wanted her to provide emotional support, her heart was still inevitably hurt, and instantly bled profusely.

"Dongfang Qingluan, you really don't know your own limitations!"

"Think carefully about your true identity."

"And what about your brother? What's his identity?"

"Don't you have any idea about these things?"

Qu Wan'er's anger seemed to be ignited, instantly burning fiercely. Her tone was as cold as a thousand-year-old ice, sending chills down one's spine.

Even her once beautiful face was now as cold as ice due to anger.

However, at that moment, Qu Wan'er suddenly seemed to remember something extremely important, and her heart skipped a beat.

She realized that the successful implementation of her carefully planned scheme tonight would depend on the assistance of Dongfang Qingluan.

Then, her expression changed rapidly, like a Sichuan opera face-changing act, transforming in the blink of an eye from a face full of anger to a kind and amiable one, with the corners of her mouth slightly turned up, revealing a seemingly sincere smile: "Oh dear! Look at my mouth, how could I say such harsh words?"

"This girl, really, in my heart, you and your brother are equally important!"

Then, as if afraid that Dongfang Qingluan wouldn't believe her, Qu Wan'er quickly added, "To your mother, you two are like the palm and back of my hand. If either of you is hurt or wronged, your mother will be heartbroken, understand? Silly girl!!!"

As she spoke, she secretly cursed herself for her impulsiveness, thinking that if her harsh words angered the little girl and she spilled everything in a fit of rage.

Wouldn't all her painstaking planning over this period of time be in vain?

Thinking about this, Qu Wan'er couldn't help but feel a wave of fear.

"Mother, this is truly the last time I will help you. After tonight, the bond between us will be severed completely."

Dongfang Qingluan's voice trembled and choked with sobs, tears welling in her eyes as if they were about to spill over. Although she already knew the truth, hearing her mother say these words still felt like being struck by a heavy hammer, causing her unbearable pain, yet she had no choice but to endure it.

"Between my brother and me, Mother, you can only choose one."

Dongfang Qingluan bit her lip and squeezed out the words with difficulty.

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, trying to use the physical pain to mask the unspeakable sorrow in her heart.

"As for Father..." At this point, Dongfang Qingluan paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "He is a man you will never meet again in your life who loves you so sincerely and deeply!"

Before she could finish speaking, tears welled up in her eyes, slid down her cheeks, and dripped onto the ground, splashing up tiny teardrops.

However, Qu Wan'er remained indifferent and resolute in the face of her daughter's tearful complaints.

"Dongfang Qingluan! Shut up! My affairs are none of your business."

She glared angrily at her own daughter, showing no mercy whatsoever for her grief.

"And your so-called father, humph!"

"If he hadn't killed the man I loved, why would I have given myself to him?"

"I was just using him. It's his good fortune to have gained my favor!"

Qu Wan'er's words were like sharp blades, mercilessly piercing Dongfang Qingluan's already riddled heart.

Since there were many other people around, Qu Wan'er, though filled with anger, could not show it too obviously.

So she had no choice but to suppress her anger and, in a low voice, sternly rebuked Dongfang Qingluan: "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. From now on, you're not allowed to mention these things again! Otherwise, don't blame me for disowning you as my daughter!"

After saying that, she turned her head away and refused to look at Dongfang Qingluan again. The disappointment in her eyes was like sharp steel needles, mercilessly piercing Dongfang Qingluan's heart.

"Mother, you must take good care of yourself from now on! I'm leaving now; I'm going to the Holy Mother's side."

Dongfang Qingluan held Qu Wan'er's hand tightly, her eyes filled with reluctance and longing, but in the end she slowly let go of that warm hand.

She slowly turned around and walked forward with heavy but firm steps.

Each step seemed to use all his strength, yet he never looked back at Qu Wan'er behind him.

Qu Wan'er stood there blankly, watching Dongfang Qingluan's receding figure, a sudden surge of indescribable loss and guilt welling up in her heart.

Just now, when she saw the deep disappointment in her daughter's eyes, her heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, and she felt a sharp pain.

However, this pain is only brief and momentary.

Because she soon remembered the mission she was entrusted with—only with the help of the Azure Phoenix could she get close to the high and mighty Holy Mother.

Only in this way can she help Qingyan obtain the crucial information he has been longing for and find the best opportunity to strike against the Holy Mother.

Thinking of this, Qu Wan'er gritted her teeth, suppressed her inner pain, and quickly chased after him.

She knew that Dongfang Qingluan was innocent, and she also knew that she had always longed for maternal love. She had it, but she just wouldn't give it to her!
Because the Azure Phoenix of the East is not worthy!