As Close As Brothers

The old man looked surprised and observed Tang Xiu for a while. Then, he forced a smile and said, "I followed the old leader for thirteen years since I was ten until I left due to a special reason when I was 23. Now I'm 73 years old, I never had seen him for 50 years . I don't even know if the old leader still remembers me."

"Is this old leader the person from the Tang Family who is celebrating his birthday today?" asked Tang Xiu.

The old man nodded in response. His slightly trembling hand pulled out a half-pack of crumpled cigarettes from his pocket and then fished out one from the inside. Just as he was about to lit it up, he suddenly seemed to recall something, secretly shook his head, and just looked at the cigarette in a daze.

Not a word came out of his mouth as he seemed to be caught in a reverie of his past.

"Old man, I think I can guess something from you. But your present condition is likely not good," said Tang Xiu.