The feeling of arriving in Seattle is as bad as ever. December, and damn it, it's raining again here.
The dry climate of Las Vegas is quite comfortable. Although the summer can get very hot, the shade and air-conditioned rooms block the sunlight, making it feel much better.
Needless to say, autumn and winter are the peak tourist seasons in Vegas, attracting hoards of visitors at this time of year.
Glory's record in November was inconsistent, but their home game tickets have constantly sold well, selling out every match.
The ticket prices keep going up, with lots of people queueing desperately to buy them. Some tourist fans would rather pay a little more.
It's just one game to see in a season, 41 chances throughout the regular season in a year, money is not an issue.
Gan Guoyang, now a middle-aged man, realized, after spending a period in Las Vegas, that it's indeed pretty comfortable here, especially the dry air, which is conducive to injury recovery.
Due to weather conditions, the plane had to circle the sky for more than an hour before landing at Seattle Airport.
Gan Guoyang gazed through the porthole at the incessant rain outside rather than the bright sun and couldn't help but complain, "This damn rain, this lousy weather, really gives me a headache."
Sitting next to him, Porter muttered, "Spent a few days in the desert sun and already forgot where you came from."
Gan Guoyang ignored Porter. For whatever reason, he was in a bad mood.
This rainy day, these clouds, this damp air. After stepping off the plane and seeing this grey sky again, everything feels oppressive; bad weather truly matches a bad mood.
"Seattle people have hated me for a long time, no wonder I feel uncomfortable coming here. Besides, Michael came to this damn place too, gonna show them tomorrow night."
Gan Guoyang explained to himself internally. Upon checking into the hotel with the team, he saw many fans holding "Welcome back, Ah Gan" signs and banners, welcoming and waiting for Gan Guoyang at the door.
A significant portion of them are Chinese fans. After getting off the car, Gan Guoyang went to sign autographs for them and expressed gratitude.
But even after signing autographs, Gan Guoyang's mood didn't improve, yet he had to overturn the conclusion that "Seattle people hate me."
Surely something else was bothering him, and he believed it was still due to the weather.
In the evening, Gan Guoyang accepted Jordan's invitation and went to his house. Jordan had bought a small villa north of Lincoln Park.
As truly good friends privately, Jordan only invited Payton and Ewing.
Some old friends gathered at home, chatted and reminisced, while Jordan arranged for lots of fine wines to be tasted.
As soon as Gan Guoyang arrived, he asked Payton, "Gary, why are you here? You're 35 now? Were you drafted in the '80s? Do you qualify to sit here?"
This season, Gan Guoyang and Jordan from the class of '84 are already the most senior players in the League.
Since players drafted prior to 1984 have all retired, Dale Ellis and Mark West from 1983, as well as Terry Cummings from 1982, left the League after the 1999-2000 season.
And from the golden class of 1984, aside from Gan Guoyang and Jordan, only a few old-timers like Kevin Willis, Stockton, and Olajuwon remain.
Last season, players like Sam Perkins, Thorpe, and Jerome Kossie also retired.
Gan Guoyang initially wanted Kossie to come to Vegas, but Kossie said he really can't play anymore and doesn't want to hold the team back, stating Porter being there is enough.
While Gary Payton, drafted in 1990, is also 33 years old.
"Come on, boss, I just wanted to see you, give me a break."
Gan Guoyang smiled, patted Payton's shoulder, telling him he was joking.
Gathering with friends somewhat alleviated Gan Guoyang's gloomy mood.
The group had a few drinks and played golf in the backyard of the villa.
Gan Guoyang asked Jordan if his wife and kids aren't with him?
Jordan replied with a bitter smile, saying, "A wife? Probably soon-to-be ex-wife."
It turns out Jordan and his wife Juanita have separated, their relationship had reached its end.
It likely won't take long, once handling relevant matters and finding a lawyer, Juanita will file for divorce from Jordan.
"Xie Te, you're about to be single again?"
"What kind of thing to say is that? Why do you sound happy?"
"Aren't you happy?"
"I'm going to lose half my assets!"
"So what, money can always be earned again, Air Jordan gives you so much in dividends every year."
"Easy for you to say while standing, try having half taken if you get divorced."
"Taken, so be it, I can still earn even more, and besides, my ten championships are still more than yours even halved."
The two almost turned their golf game into a sword duel, fortunately, Ewing and Payton intervened, preventing the old pals from fighting.
On the evening of the game day, before the match, at the KeyArena, Jordan said in a huff during the press conference, "Beating Ah Gan is my biggest motivation for coming back, whether it's regular season or playoffs, I'm determined to win more."
At this age, people tend not to hide anymore.
The grievances between Jordan and Ah Gan are well known among everyone.
It's also a fact that Jordan struggles against Gan Guoyang on the court, he does not avoid this reality but faces the harsh life head-on with determination to resist and strive forward.
Thus, there's no need for formal rhetoric or polite talk, I'm coming back just to take you down.
But Gan Guoyang's mind seemed a bit detached from this match, as his pre-game interview was somewhat fuzzy and incoherent, talking nonsense.