The Fallen, Stubborn Prince - Chapter 6
Su Qian’s obedient, gentle expression softened Fang Xian’s heart.
He was so easy to push around… Would someone this naive suffer more than others once he entered the real world?
“Su Qian, don’t say that kind of thing too often,” she said quietly. “If you get used to saying it, you’ll start to believe it—and that’s not always good.”
“Huh?” He tilted his head, confused.
Fang Xian sighed. “It’s nothing. I just… don’t want you to get hurt.”
“It’s fine,” he said, smiling. “As long as you’re here, I won’t get hurt.”
Her lips curved despite herself. “You’re too well-behaved. I don’t know who taught you to talk like that.”
They hadn’t known each other for long, but she’d already heard him say things like that several times. If it had been anyone else, she would’ve thought it was a joke. But when it came from Su Qian, it only made her heart soften further.
“After we graduate,” she said suddenly, “let’s keep in touch, okay? We can still be friends, even if we’re not classmates anymore.”
She didn’t know what university she’d end up at, but she wanted to secure their friendship now. Even if they went to different schools, there’d be a reason to keep in touch.
She couldn’t say it aloud, but part of her just didn’t want him to be lonely. She wasn’t sure if she could be his confidant, but at least she wanted to be someone who’d listen.
“Okay,” Su Qian said simply.
He didn’t think too deeply about it. In his mind, of course they’d stay in touch. Nothing would stop that.
His uncle once told him to take good care of Fang Xian—a rare friend—and he’d never forgotten those words.
Fang Xian had always imagined Su Qian came from an ordinary, well-off family: good parents, a kind uncle, a peaceful home. That, she thought, explained his quiet kindness and simple heart.
But the moment she saw the house in front of her, that belief shattered completely.
A massive, European-style mansion stood before them, tall and magnificent, its windows glinting with colored glass that caught the sunlight and dazzled her eyes.
She squinted against the brightness and turned to Su Qian, scanning him from head to toe.
He lives here?
He still wore the same old sports jacket and white jeans he always wore, his canvas shoes faded and stained with pale gray marks that wouldn’t wash out. There wasn’t a single thing about him that matched this place.
“Are you sure this is your house?” she asked, half-joking. “You didn’t just bring me here to admire someone else’s mansion, right?”
Su Qian blinked. “Of course not. My uncle and I moved here three months ago. It’s not someone else’s home.”
He sounded completely certain—he’d even taken the plastic covers off the brand-new sofa himself.
“Oh…” she murmured, not knowing what to say. A faint uneasiness rose in her chest.
So, he was from a rich family.
All this time she’d been worrying he might struggle after school—but clearly, he had every advantage she didn’t. She should’ve been happy for him. And yet, somewhere deep down, she felt a tiny, selfish ache.
How nice it would be if he were just… ordinary like me.
Fang Xian smiled bitterly at herself. How can I even think like that? Haven’t I already learned this lesson once?
“I’ll head back now,” she said quickly. “Go inside.”
She didn’t want him to see the complicated feelings on her face—the way she was retreating, hiding behind her shell again.
“You’re not coming in?” he asked.
She shook her head, but made sure not to do it too harshly. “Your house is really far from mine. If I go in, it’ll be dark by the time I get home.”
It was a flimsy excuse, but it was enough.
“Oh.” Su Qian hesitated, wanting to find a reason to make her stay—but he wasn’t good at lying.
“Go on,” she said, smiling. “I’ll wait here till you’re inside.”
He still looked reluctant. “My uncle would be really happy to see you… He makes amazing Longjing tea…”
So that was an invitation.
“Next time,” she said gently. “We’ll have tea next time. Just a little earlier, okay?”
At her words, his whole face lit up. “Okay! And Auntie can make her cocoa macarons—they’re so good! You’ll love them!”
His childlike excitement made her pause for a beat before she laughed. “Ah, so you’ve got a sweet tooth, huh?”
He grinned, eyes fixed on her. She was laughing under the sunlight, and for a moment, it felt like the world itself brightened around her.
“Alright, enough talking,” she said. “Go inside! Oh, and don’t forget—next week’s final exam is important, even if you’re graduating. You’ve got to keep your grades up, understand?”
Su Qian scratched his head awkwardly. He wanted to say something, but hesitated.
“You’ll do fine,” she said confidently. “You’ve been doing great on every morning quiz anyway.”
“I… well…”
She didn’t notice his discomfort. She took one last look at the mansion, drew a deep breath, and said, “Alright then. See you tomorrow.”
Before he could reply, she gave him a gentle push through the open gate. “Bye, Ah Qian!”
And then she turned and walked away.
As she made her way home, Fang Xian kicked at the pebbles on the path, lost in thought.
She knew perfectly well what that dull ache inside her meant. Passing by those beautiful houses only stirred up old memories—memories tinged with grey.
Once, she’d had a close friend—a bright, talented girl who always seemed a little better than her in every way. They’d played together, studied together, even won scholarships together. But the difference in their family backgrounds slowly ate away at what they had. Comparison turned into competition, and competition turned into distance.
Then, one day, without warning, that friend moved away. Fang Xian found out the next night—and cried when she realized that her own pride had helped destroy the friendship.
Since then, she had treasured every bond she made, always afraid of repeating the same mistake. But at the same time, she’d also learned to keep her distance from people too far above her world.
Because, as her mother always said, “Friends get along best when they stand on the same ground.”
When she finally got home, Fang Xian opened the door and saw her mother sitting by the coffee table, phone pressed to her ear.
Her mother didn’t even notice her come in.
“I’m sure it’ll be over soon,” she was saying, her tone firm. “Please handle this as soon as possible. If we drag it out any longer, it’ll crush us. Don’t try to talk me out of it—my mind’s made up. I need that money for Fang Xian’s tuition.”
Fang Xian froze in the doorway.
What’s going on?
She didn’t dare interrupt, only listened as her mother’s voice grew tighter.
Then, catching sight of her daughter, Fang’s mother straightened immediately. “Alright, that’s enough for now,” she said quickly into the phone. “Please find a good buyer for me. My late husband and I will be grateful.”
She hung up.
“Mom,” Fang Xian asked carefully, “what are you selling?”
Her mother sighed. She knew she couldn’t hide the truth forever.
“I can’t pay the loan anymore,” she said quietly. “So I sold the orange orchard. I’ll use the money to pay off the debt—and the rest will go toward your college tuition.”