When Jordan discovered that the Supersonics might not fulfill their promise to give him shares, it was hard for him to keep his balance.
Once the Supersonics were sold, the boss's previous verbal promise was worth less than a scrap of paper, and there was no paper.
"Six bamboos."
"Bump! I won! All one suit, bump to win."
Gan Guoyang bumped Barkley's six bamboos and won again.
Jordan was angry, saying, "Charles, you're not going to tell me you don't have bamboos!"
Barkley shrugged, saying, "You guessed right, Michael, I just don't have bamboos!"
Ewing said, "Let it go, Michael, these two are playing their own game, let them play, at least we're not losing money."
Jordan picked up a cigar and took a few fierce puffs, saying, "Charles, you're really addicted to hugging Sonny's thigh."
"Who hugs who knows, do you want to try, Michael?"
Jordan scoffed with a laugh, while Gan Guoyang shuffled the tiles, saying, "Michael, maybe you should really consider coming to Vegas. I'll tell you, Seattle's boss is not going to give you shares, I have definite news they will sell the team, this year."
"Where did you get that information?"
"Never mind where I got it, can't you believe me?"
Jordan fell silent, Ah Gan's information was indeed well-informed, you don't even know where he learns so much random stuff. There's a rumor that he knew the perpetrators behind the Twin Towers attack were Al-Qaeda before the CIA and the United States Department of Defense, and accidentally let it slip.
Jordan shook his head, saying, "I came back to beat you, not to join you, I don't want to become a joke."
"The world is different now, haven't you noticed? It's easier to become a joke by failing, not by joining. Look, everyone is mocking Charles for his weight, does anyone mock his ring? It's because he doesn't have a ring that he gets mocked. Anyway, you're not joining without a championship during your peak, nor because you can't win. We're all ageing, don't you understand?"
Saying this, Gan Guoyang got up from his chair, pulled open the curtains and looked out the window.
"The world's changed, we are no longer the main roles being pursued, but side roles everyone wants to step on. Charles should be the clearest, on TV programs, is it criticism that's more popular, or praise for us?"
Barkley dug out a burger from somewhere and started munching, saying, "You guys have reached the point where people mourn your death, I mean your careers. Fans watch programs with expectations, if it meets expectations they like it, if not they change the channel. Most fans want to see stories of promising youth, it's not your Time anymore, old pals."
Gan Guoyang said, "Join me next season, we'll fight against the world together, instead of continuing internal strife."
Jordan remained silent, the season wasn't over yet, and Ah Gan was causing discord again.
Ewing said, "I'm too old, once this season is over, I'm retiring, I'm already 39."
"You're already 39, what's wrong with holding out for one more year? Think about it. Don't get stepped on by Charles. Of course, if you guys win the championship this season, then pretend I didn't say anything."
Gan Guoyang took a puff from his cigar, blowing out a smoke ring, he too felt deeply the world's hostility, despite once being so popular, he still received a ton of votes in this All-Star.
But Gan Guoyang could feel that many votes weren't out of affection, but out of habit, or respect.
It's like a book that's about to end, people become impatient with it, even wishing it would end early, but still cast their votes on time, turning to look at the newly released books, with protagonists still on the road of hope.
Beauty like famed generals in history, not allowed to be seen with white hair.
Any struggle against ageing inevitably looks ugly.
But Gan Guoyang believes he'll be the exception because he's Ah Gan, after all.