A young media staff led the way, glancing back at Šuker now and then.
His eyes were full of awe, disbelief, and joy.
Clearly, he was a big fan.
Šuker, meanwhile, kept eyeing the steamed buns the young man carried—wrapped in plastic, containing four big meat buns.
His mouth watered instantly.
All along the way, the young man stared at Šuker, and Šuker stared at the buns.
When they arrived at the interview area, Šuker didn't get a bun.
"Zero generosity, and no one even offered!" he muttered quietly.
In front of a simple stage, numerous cameras and reporters focused on Maldini being interviewed by Huang Jianxiang.
Maldini spoke eloquently, and a translator relayed his words.
Huang grinned like a child, eyes squinting with delight.
After the interview, Maldini waved to Šuker.
Before stepping on stage, Šuker turned to the young media guy:
Flashes popped nonstop as Šuker ascended the stage.
He was currently Europe's hottest player.
Most people here were fans who had watched him dominate last season's Champions League and league games.
Teams they admired had been mercilessly dismantled by Šuker.
His appearance drew huge attention.
But there was an even bigger reason.
Huang Jianxiang looked at Šuker and said:
"Guess we don't need a translator, right?"
Šuker turned to the translator and said in perfect Chinese:
"You can go off duty now."
The translator grimaced.
Wow!
The media below erupted.
Before last season, videos claiming Šuker was ethnically Chinese and spoke Chinese had circulated.
Some suspected they were fake.
But as Šuker's performance and popularity grew, the hype exploded.
Many media outlets wanted interviews, but both Milan and Šuker's agent declined due to match schedules.
Even Šuker himself didn't know he'd received so many interview requests from China.
Huang Jianxiang sighed:
"It's hard to imagine hearing standard Chinese on this stage. Can you say hi to all the Chinese fans?"
Šuker blinked.
Say hi?
He actually prepared a speech.
Šuker clasped his fists and loudly said to the camera:
"In a few months, it'll be the 2008 Spring Festival. I want to wish everyone an early happy New Year: 'Wishing you a prosperous Year of the Rat, good fortune, and a joyful spring!'"
He bowed deeply and added, "Happy Year of the Rat to all!"
Silence.
Everyone stared blankly, some forgetting to click their cameras.
What the hell? A New Year greeting? In August?!
Huang Jianxiang paused before awkwardly explaining:
He added helplessly, "It's still months away."
Šuker blinked: "Exactly! I said, an early greeting!"
Way too early!
Huang had no words.
Šuker seemed different from his TV image.
Even the quick-witted official commentator couldn't keep up with Šuker's brainwaves.
After the interview, Šuker went to leave, munching on a now-cold bun.
The young media guy grabbed him suddenly:
"Please sign an autograph!"
Šuker blinked.
Signing for a bun? Fair deal!
He quickly signed and ran off, sensing other media closing in and knowing he'd be stuck signing for a while if he hesitated.
Back in the airport hall, Gattuso blocked Šuker excitedly.
"I love it here! They love me! I never thought so many people would cheer my name like this. Tens of thousands shouting, man! Milan's fans at San Siro never did this!"
Gattuso, like a child, grabbed Šuker's arm:
"I want to give back. Teach me a phrase in Chinese."
Šuker looked at him and asked:
"What do you want to learn?"
"Teach me 'Milan, go!'"
Šuker's eyes twinkled mischievously.
He put his arm around Gattuso's neck and teased:
"I'll teach you, but you gotta say it like this — repeat after me."
"GuóMǐJiāYóu!" (Idk wtf is this hope it go awa fast)
Gattuso:
"GuòMìJià~Yòu!"
Šuker nodded enthusiastically:
"Guó Mǐ Jiā Yóu!"
Gattuso repeated, then raised his arm shouting to the reporters:
"Guò! Mì! Jià! Yòu!"
The airport instantly fell silent.
Milan fans and media stared at Gattuso in disbelief.
A Milan legend openly cheering for Inter Milan?!
Headlines exploded:
Capital Evening News: "Milan Legend Gattuso Shouts 'Go Inter!' in Public!"
Sports Evening News: "Gattuso Cheers 'Go Inter!', Šuker Runs for His Life!"
Workers Daily: "Why Did Gattuso Cheer for Milan's City Rival?"
Photos showed Gattuso chasing Šuker around the airport!
AC Milan and Inter Milan arrived in China's capital the same day.
But Milan's buzz crushed Inter's on day one.
Mainly because Milan was full of antics.
First Šuker's New Year greeting, then Gattuso's "Go Inter!" shout.
Both topics overshadowed all Inter news.
Chinese fans and media were no longer interested in Inter's statements.
They only wanted to know why Gattuso shouted that phrase publicly.
Word was, after shouting, Gattuso got a call from Milan's management.
He was even taken aside by Ancelotti and Maldini for a serious talking-to.
The next day, Milan officially explained via media:
"This was a joke taught by Šuker between friends."
To convince Chinese fans and media, they detailed the love-hate relationship between Šuker and Gattuso.
Instantly, Milan fans' worldview shattered.
In this pre-internet era, impressions came from imagination.
For example, they thought Gattuso was a hot-tempered, fierce thug.
Who would've thought this grim-faced enforcer was actually the team's… punching bag?
And Pirlo!
The elegant gentleman image?
Turns out, he was really quite mischievous!
Maldini's stories revealed how Pirlo pranked Gattuso endlessly.
As for Šuker, no one knew how to judge him!
At first, Milan fans were uneasy about these changes.
Soon, though, they found it down-to-earth and relatable.
This contrast only made them more curious about AC Milan.