Chapter 549 - Haunted by the Past (2)
The large room was divided into two sections. One part was turned into a cafeteria while the other was turned into the kitchen, where volunteers prepared the meals. The smell of food wafted in the air and reached Feng Tianyi's nose.
Madam Ning excused herself and went to the kitchen to give a hand to other volunteers.
"I didn't know you and Lu Tianxin have made something as spectacular as this." Feng Tianyi told his wife.
"It's something we both saw potential in. It would be a waste if we cannot help them. We might not be able to sustain everyone's needs, but we are able to help people find an opportunity to rise from the ashes." Tang Moyu said in a low voice. "Do you remember Mr. Yan? The one I recommended to you for Xiao Xing?"
Feng Tianyi nodded.
"Yes, what about him?" He asked curiously. What did Yan Xie have to do with their conversation?
Aside from Meng Yanran, the other person that Tang Moyu invited to join Xiao Xing was Yan Xie. The man was already in his forties and was very efficient when it came to working. Yan Xie had helped him and Song Fengyan tremendously when they were just starting to put Xiao Xing together months ago.
"I met Mr. Yan here." Tang Moyu said in a matter of fact tone before they followed Madam Ning to the kitchen. "He's one of the rare gems that could be found here. You see, Tianyi. Not many homeless people are totally useless, some of them had faced an obstacle in life that left them in such a situation. Mr. Yan was one of those people."
Feng Tianyi was rendered speechless. Never did he imagine that the soft-spoken and kind Mr. Yan came from here. Now, as Xiao Xing's Marketing director, Yan Xie has taken the first step to live a better life compared to what he had in here.
"You are right. I don't know who's luckier. Us, for having Mr. Yan in our team, or Mr. Yan himself." He chuckled at the thought.
"It doesn't matter. It's a win-win for each party." Tang Moyu said and smiled when she saw the owner of the shelter, Jia Yuntao. Like Madam Ning, Mr. Jia was already in his late fifties. "Mr. Jia, it's been a while."
"Oh my, Miss Moyu. I didn't expect that you would be coming here today. You should have given us a call before coming. You've been gone from the news lately. How are you, my dear?" The old man spoke softly and gently to the empress.
"I've been well. Just being busy as always, Mr. Jia. I'm happy to see that you've already recovered from your illness."
The two conversed happily until Jia Yuntao caught Feng Tianyi and noticed his presence, his eyes narrowing upon recognition.
Meanwhile, Feng Tianyi was rooted on the spot upon seeing Jia Yuntao. His eyes widened in shock as he couldn't believe who he was seeing right then.
"Feng Tianyi? Is that really you?" Jia Yuntao spoke clearly, pulling Feng Tianyi's attention back to reality.
"Yes." Feng Tianyi replied. He didn't think that he would be able to see this old man here of all the places.
"I would have never thought the devil would personally come to see me again. So, what brings the almighty Feng Tianyi to my humble shelter?"
Feng Tianyi felt a cold sweat forming on him. Yes, he also didn't expect that they would meet again.
"I'm here to accompany Moyu. I haven't seen you in years, Mr. Jia," he responded to the old man, aware that his wife was giving him a questioning look.
"Indeed." The old man nodded. "It has been twelve years, hasn't it?"
Had it been more than twelve years already? Feng Tianyi was surprised that the man was able to remember everything from the past.
"Tianyi? You know Mr. Jia? How do you know each other?" Tang Moyu could sense her husband's uneasiness upon meeting Jia Yuntao, but she couldn't understand why. She needed to know what made Feng Tianyi react that way.
"Oh, that's because Feng Tianyi took over my business twelve years ago." Jia Yuntao let out a laugh while Feng Tianyi felt more uncomfortable in his presence.
Wasn't this one of the things he was afraid to happen? That someone out there still holds a grudge against him and wants to exact revenge, hurting his family in the process?
As if his explanation wasn't enough, Jia Yuntao continued.
"Feng Tianyi took me by surprise when he presented a very appealing deal to me. It was something I so desperately wanted to have before. Little did I know, it was his ingenious plot to take away my company from me. I have to give it to him. He played me well." He laughed but silence filled the room.
It was Tang Moyu's turn to be shocked and Feng Tianyi was trying not to look ashamed or embarrassed at that moment, but it was hard. He'd never felt guilty of what he'd done before as the 'Devil' until this very moment, especially in front of his wife. He didn't know how to explain this to Tang Moyu.
The empress's eyes grew wide as she looked from her husband to Jia Yuntao. She could have never imagined that Mr. Jia was one of those people that the "Devil" had inconvenienced before. Had she known about this, she wouldn't have brought Feng Tianyi with her.
She also knew the story of how Jia Yuntao lost everything, including his family and business before starting this shelter. It was just that she'd never imagined that Feng Tianyi was the one responsible for all of it.
"But why would you do that?" Tang Moyu couldn't stop herself from questioning her husband.
"I presented a deal to him and he accepted it. However, Mr. Jia failed to fulfill his part and paid the price for it. His company had the resources I needed back then."