It's another evening when the lights are first lit, and the Su family has just finished a grand business banquet.
Without Lilian Pear's company, I am the only one called to Cedric Su's tea room.
I wear a well-tailored dark green cheongsam, sitting across from Cedric Su with a precious red sandalwood tea table between us.
The atmosphere is slightly awkward.
The tea room is filled with the lingering scent of sandalwood, and priceless antique paintings and calligraphy are displayed all around.
I carefully pick up the blue and white porcelain tea cup, afraid of accidentally breaking any of the treasures beside me.
My eyes are sore and hazy from the long nights of staying up late, with a hint of mist.
Cedric Su suddenly puts down his tea cup and slowly rises to his feet, pacing in front of me.
At this moment, we are only an arm's length apart.
My heart races as I secretly think to myself, could this old fox be trying to take advantage of me while drunk?
But he softly speaks, "You really do resemble her."
I suppress my inner complaints.
According to the experience of the sisters before me, one must never speak at a time like this, or else risk being eliminated.
I can only silently raise my head and let Cedric Su look his fill, playing the role of a quiet flower substitute.
The first rule of becoming Camellia White: only show the parts that resemble Camellia White, and hide everything else.
Seeing that I remain silent, Cedric Su doesn't react much either.
I think this awkward tea session is about to end, but unexpectedly, he speaks again.
"At the age of forty, I have already established my career.
The only thing left is to start a family.
It's time to find a matriarch for the Su Group."
he says, gesturing for me to put down my tea cup.
"Your eyes, they truly are identical to hers."
I continue to maintain my silence, listening as he goes on, "Many aspects can be slowly trained, but these eyes alone are a rare natural gift.
I have already found a candidate whose voice is strikingly similar.
Are you willing to become another indispensable role?"
I'm not sure if I should answer, but in this moment, I still choose to remain silent.
The next day, I understand Cedric Su's intentions.
Except for me, all the other girls in the Su family receive a generous severance pay.
Although they are puzzled, they don't dare to say much.
In less than an hour, everyone has packed their bags and left.
I bid farewell to each of them with a hug, my heart filled with unease, not knowing what awaits me.
I don't wait for Cedric Su's "verdict."
but instead, a young girl arrives.
She is youthful and beautiful, looking like a college student.
In fact, she has only just turned eighteen.
This Cedric Su is indeed an old pervert who likes young girls like her.
According to Housekeeper Chen, her voice is exactly the same as Camellia White's back then.
It suddenly dawns on me that this is the other indispensable role Cedric Su spoke of.
Following the rules of the Su family, we call her Haley Tang.
That night at 10 PM, Haley Tang and I are summoned to Cedric Su's study.
I still only reveal my eyes, while Haley Tang recites the "Book of Song."
to Cedric Su in her gentle voice.
The study is dimly lit.
Cedric Su suddenly speaks, "Talia, raise your head."
I do as he says.
Cedric Su remains silent for a long time, seemingly immersed in his memories of Camellia White.
Two hours later at midnight, Cedric Su falls asleep on schedule.
Haley Tang and I leave the study together.
Haley Tang's room is the largest in the Su family apart from the master bedroom, clearly highly valued from the start.
But for some reason, Haley Tang seems to have some hostility towards me.
I can only pretend not to notice.
After all, I'm already 23 years old and can't stay here for much longer.
However, Housekeeper Chen brings me a new contract.
His eyes are filled with approval, "Talia, I originally thought you were a good-for-nothing, but now it seems you have potential."
"Housekeeper Chen, just say what you have to say."
"This is a new contract.
As long as you sign it, you can become the grand mistress of the Su family."
I am shocked.
My goodness, so not only do they want me to sell my art, but also to sell myself and marry into a wealthy family? This is too absurd!
With trembling hands, I take the contract.
It lists out the various conditions in detail:
I need to learn classical etiquette, tea art, calligraphy, and other traditional arts.
I also need to deeply understand the Su Group's businesses and become Cedric Su's truly perfect wife.
In return, I will become Cedric Su's lawfully wedded wife and enjoy all the rights and benefits of the Su family mistress.
Even more enticing is that if I can give birth to a son and a daughter for the Su family, I can also obtain shares in the Su Group.
All these conditions are tempting me to accept this contract.
Looking at this contract that can be called priceless, I only have two thoughts in my mind:
First, can Cedric Su's old bones really handle it?
Second, as a young maiden in the prime of my life, why should I have to bear children for this rotten old man?