The Fallen, Stubborn Prince - Chapter 10
Was her brain malfunctioning? Why did it sound like she was offering to help the Fang family overcome their troubles?
Then it hit her—she remembered that call her mother got that day. The person on the other end had been…
“Was it you who sent someone to convince my mom not to sell the land? Why?”
Whatever Cheng Yunyan did, it was always for one person—her precious son.
“Even if your mother insists you continue studying, your family is in trouble. You’d never agree to her plans.” Cheng Yunyan’s tone was calm but firm. “You’re a sensible girl, Fang Xian, but also a stubborn one.”
“So what?” Fang Xian shot back. She had already decided to stop studying, enter the workforce early, pay off their debt, and ease her mother’s burden.
It wasn’t what her mother or teachers wanted, but she had no other choice. She needed to prove she could handle the loan before her mother sold their land. Dreams could wait—the land couldn’t.
“If you quit school,” Cheng Yunyan said softly, “then Su Qian won’t have anyone to guide him. He can’t blend in, he struggles with people, and he still needs someone to look after him. I truly have no other option—so I’m asking you.”
After several rounds of persuasion from Ye Feng, Cheng Yunyan became certain that Fang Xian was the key to unlocking Su Qian’s heart—his only hope.
“Su Qian isn’t dumb,” Fang Xian said. “He’s just quiet. His IQ’s close to genius level. Aunt Su, aren’t you worrying too much? He’ll do fine in college.”
“Su Qian isn’t a genius.” Cheng Yunyan’s voice turned cold. “He just calculates better than most. You’ve seen it—he can solve small problems using your methods. But those are trivial matters. If he’s to sit in the president’s chair at Su Corporation, those ‘no problems’ you speak of are all problems.”
Fang Xian fell silent.
Under her flawless makeup, Cheng Yunyan radiated both strength and fragility—the elegance of a mother desperate for her son’s future. Her gaze locked on Fang Xian with chilling intensity.
“Think of this as a favor,” Cheng Yunyan said. “Help Su Qian finish his studies, help him succeed, and take over Su Corporation someday. After that, I’ll never interfere in your life again.”
She didn’t add the rest aloud: except that I’ll never allow you to marry him.
“I can’t do that.” Fang Xian’s voice trembled. She couldn’t believe something like this had been forced on her shoulders.
Seeing the girl’s hesitation, Cheng Yunyan pressed on, coaxing step by step. To her, it wasn’t manipulation—it was mutual benefit. No harm, no guilt. Just a win-win deal.
If the Fang family’s hardship hadn’t come to light, she would never have had the chance to approach Fang Xian so easily. And once she tied the girl to Su Qian, they would be inseparable.
“You don’t have to worry about anything,” Cheng Yunyan said. “Just stay by Su Qian’s side and do what you already do. The rest depends on him. Whatever happens, it won’t be your responsibility.”
Fang Xian stared at her in disbelief. How could this be the same woman who’d mocked her just moments ago for dreaming of entering the Su family?
Everything Cheng Yunyan did was for Su Qian. Every move she made was to smooth his future path.
But what about her?
Fang Xian laughed bitterly. She had almost fallen into the trap of that so-called “motherly love,” almost let herself be touched by it—only to promise away her own future in return.
“I don’t accept this kind of deal!”
It was absurd. She had her own dreams, her own life to live. Someday she’d meet someone who truly shared her heart. The Su family—this deep, treacherous sea of wealth—was no place for a naïve little rabbit like her to stumble into.
“Whatever plans Aunt Su has for Su Qian, that’s your family’s business, not mine!” she said sharply. “Please stop interfering with ours. I refuse to take part in this ridiculous, unfair exchange.”
Yes, she liked Su Qian. But not enough to sacrifice everything.
Everything she’d done for him had been genuine—purely from the heart. If her feelings were turned into a bargaining chip, that purity would vanish forever, leaving only guilt and resentment between them.
Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the study, leaving Cheng Yunyan standing there, her expression dark and stormy.
Fang Xian wasn’t a pawn in anyone’s deal.
Cheng Yunyan had offered kindness first, trying to help the Fang family, but the stubborn little girl had managed to turn the tables on her instead.
Why did her son have to fall for such a difficult woman?
Cheng Yunyan’s long, manicured fingers dug into her palm, leaving red marks. She took a slow breath, forcing herself to keep her usual poise.
Just then, Ye Feng entered. “Young Master went after her.”
Cheng Yunyan moved quickly to the window. She saw her son running down the steps after Fang Xian. A faint smile crossed her lips. She said nothing.
“You have plenty of ways to make Miss Fang obedient,” Ye Feng said carefully. “Why bother going through all this trouble?”
Still gazing into the mirror, Cheng Yunyan replied calmly, “Threats and temptation can’t win hearts. What I want is for her to treat Su Qian sincerely—and never betray him. A girl with pride like Fang Xian’s can’t be controlled by force. That would only backfire.”
Ye Feng smiled knowingly. His father, the Su family’s old butler, had once warned him—Cheng Yunyan was not a woman to be taken lightly.
She was brilliant, perceptive, and ruthless when needed. She had risen from secretary to mistress, then given birth to the sole heir of the Su family, and now wielded influence over its business affairs. Every ounce of her intelligence was sharpened into strategy.
And she’d seen through Fang Xian immediately—the girl was soft on the outside, firm within.
Perhaps that was why Cheng Yunyan had chosen her. Perhaps she saw something of herself in Fang Xian.
Outside, two figures ran past the grand golden gates. Su Qian finally caught up to her, panting as though he’d sprinted a hundred meters.
He stopped in front of her, blocking her path, his voice anxious. “Can you please just listen to me?”
Fang Xian had once told him it was wrong to pry into someone’s private matters. Even if you stumbled upon a secret, you should keep it buried in your heart. He had remembered that—but now, as she looked at him with those cold, hurt eyes, his heart ached. He would give anything to make her understand.
“You don’t have to say anything! It has nothing to do with you!” she snapped.
She knew Su Qian wasn’t responsible for his mother’s scheming, but she needed time—space—to calm down.
“It does have something to do with me!” he said, breathless. “I know why she came to you!”
Her steps faltered. She stared at him. “You… you know?”
“I saw the file my uncle left on the desk. It had your information.” He winced, realizing how wrong it sounded. “I know I shouldn’t have looked—but I couldn’t lie to you.”
Her anger flared. She grabbed her schoolbag and threw it at him. “You invaded my privacy?!”
Perfect—mother and son, both ambitious!
Su Qian didn’t dodge. The bag hit him squarely in the chest. He lowered his head, silent, accepting the blame, with nothing more to say.