Chapter 8: Villa

As Li Yang's taxi pulled up to the entrance of Red Phoenix's villa, he was immediately awestruck. The sprawling estate was unlike anything he had ever seen. The façade was grandiose, with intricately carved stone statues flanking the front gate and a long, winding driveway lined with perfectly manicured trees.

Upon entering the villa, he was greeted by an entourage of butlers, maids, and housekeepers. The opulence was staggering, from the vast marbled halls to the ornate chandeliers that hung overhead. It was a stark contrast to the modest environment of the orphanage, and Li Yang felt like a fish out of water.

As evening approached, a grand banquet was prepared in Li Yang's honor. As he made his way to the dining hall, he felt the weight of many eyes upon him. Red Phoenix, dressed in an elegant gown, sat at the head of the table. On either side of her were two young men, both bearing a striking resemblance to Red Phoenix.

"Li Yang, meet my younger brothers," Red Phoenix introduced with a sly smile, "Lin Wei and Lin Fei."

Li Yang extended his hand, trying to be polite despite the evident hostility in their eyes. "Pleased to meet you both," he said, attempting a friendly smile.

Lin Wei, the older of the two, looked Li Yang up and down, his lips curling into a smirk. "So, you're the new pet project our sister has taken under her wing," he remarked with evident disdain.

Lin Fei, not wanting to be outdone, added with a sly grin, "Quite brave of you to enter the lion's den."

The dinner progressed with palpable tension in the air. Red Phoenix tried to steer the conversation towards neutral topics, but her brothers took every opportunity to belittle Li Yang.

The real drama unfolded when dessert was served. Pretending to reach for a spoon, Lin Wei "accidentally" knocked over a glass of red wine, drenching Li Yang's white shirt. The table fell silent, all eyes on the unfolding spectacle.

"Oh, my apologies," Lin Wei feigned innocence, but the mischievous glint in his eyes told a different story.

Li Yang's cheeks flushed red, both from embarrassment and anger. But he took a deep breath, choosing to remain calm. "It's alright. Accidents happen," he responded diplomatically.

Red Phoenix's gaze hardened as she looked at her younger brother, her disappointment clear. "Lin Wei, apologize properly," she commanded.

Lin Wei, not used to being reprimanded, grudgingly muttered an apology.

The evening concluded with Li Yang retiring to his room, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. The grandeur of the villa and the complexities of the relationships within its walls were a lot to process. It was evident that while he had Red Phoenix's support, he would need to tread carefully around her brothers.