Two People, One Dance

Half an hour later, the drunken soldiers gradually left the venue.

Having learned of the dance, everyone had already made their way to the second floor.

The tables and chairs here had been cleared, creating a wide open space.

An old-fashioned gramophone was placed by the window, and soothing, tranquil music flowed out, echoing on the second floor.

Those soldiers with impure intentions eyed the ladies present with veiled and subtle glances.

Some were unmarried battlefield nurses, others were young girls carefully selected by the local mayor, and a portion were civilian staff from the Strategic Scientific Reserve.

They were like delicate flowers, in the beautiful stage of budding, waiting for someone to pluck them.

"Commander, I've always been curious."

Dugan, nicknamed "Dum Dum," stroked his large beard and asked, "All these guys' ultimate goal is to get the women into bed; they have no interest in dancing at all."

"Then why don't they just state their intentions directly? That way, they can save time, skip straight to the crucial step, and dedicate more time to where it's needed."

"Dugan, tell me, when you proposed to your wife, did you hold a gun to her head? Otherwise, how could she have agreed to marry you?"

Luke handed the other man a drink while joking.

"You walk up to any woman and say, 'How about we skip all the preliminary steps and get straight to the point, the part where we exchange bodily fluids?' What do you think will happen? She'll slap you clean across the face and dismiss you as a vulgar pervert."

"But if you do it differently, you walk up, invite her for a drink, tell a few funny jokes, talk about your experiences—it doesn't matter if they're true, as long as they're cool and attractive enough. When the mood is right, you can then suggest going to her room, or invite her to see your room! If you're good enough, afterwards, she'll just snuggle into your arms and say emotionally, 'You're the best man I've ever met!'"

"Understand now, Dugan? Being direct will get you labeled a scoundrel, but sweet talk is what harvests the prey."

Dum Dum looked utterly bewildered. The only reason he managed to get married was pure luck.

"Luke, I truly have a new appreciation for you. I never expected you to have such profound insights. We should exchange ideas and discuss more when we have time in the future."

Leaning against the bar, Luke saw Howard approaching.

The arms dealer was dressed quite flamboyantly, in a suit vest, trousers, and leather shoes, his hair slicked back, and his mustache meticulously groomed.

"You're the expert in this area; I'm just a theorist with extensive book knowledge."

Luke smiled and conceded. Howard's womanizing ways were a family trait of Stark's, something he couldn't compete with.

Howard nodded without false modesty, graciously accepting the compliment from the young Commodore.

As it turned out, one of the best ways for men to bond was by talking about women.

Dum Dum, who had always been prejudiced against rich people, was already calling Howard "brother" and drinking heartily with him after just twenty minutes.

The former was very interested in the latter's amusing anecdotes about charming Hollywood actresses, while the latter needed an audience to play off of.

They hit it off immediately and were deep in conversation.

"Steve, come listen to Howard's live demonstration."

Luke waved when he saw Captain America ascending the stairs.

Rogers, always good-natured, took a glass of whiskey and put Luke's earlier teasing out of his mind.

The four of them leaned against the bar, sipping their drinks while admiring the young men and women dancing and singing.

"Howard, why aren't you dancing?"

Luke asked, a little confused. Howard, who was naturally amorous, was willing to remain a bachelor and not seek pleasure.

This was quite unusual!

"True masters always make their entrance last."

Howard stroked his mustache and smiled faintly.

A few minutes later, he saw Carter, wearing a red dress that accentuated her beautiful curves, ascend to the second floor.

He adjusted his bow tie with a flick of his hand, picked up a glass of gin, and walked over with a smile, head held high and chest out.

"I bet he won't last more than two minutes!"

Luke started the betting.

"Five minutes!"

"Eight minutes!"

Dum Dum and Rogers stated their guesses.

After Howard shared his experiences, they both agreed he was quite the seasoned player.

"Three glasses of gin!"

Luke declared the stakes. In less than a minute, Howard returned to the bar, looking dejected.

"Drinks!"

Six glasses of gin were lined up, and Dum Dum and Rogers downed them in one go.

"I thought... I thought you were really a master."

With a slurred tongue, Dum Dum looked at Howard, who had failed to invite Carter, with disdain.

The latter grunted twice but had no words to retort.

"At least I had the courage to charge that iceberg, while you all just hid on the side."

Howard, unable to find any other reason, could only say this to save face.

"Steve, you go try!"

Luke egged Captain America on, but fortunately, the other man wouldn't get drunk and, remaining clear-headed, shook his head and refused.

Even Howard, who claimed to have been a ladies' man for years and never suffered a defeat, had met his Waterloo.

If a rookie like him went, the outcome was predictable.

"What about Dugan? Oh, this guy's already down."

When Luke turned his head, Dum Dum was already passed out on the bar table.

"Goodbye everyone, I'm going to find a young lady with a broad mind to comfort my fragile, little heart."

Howard, true to his reputation as a seasoned player, quickly recovered from his defeat. He looked at the voluptuous girl sitting opposite him, waiting for an invitation.

She had long brown hair, a beautiful face, and was delicate and lovely. Especially her ample bosom, which made it impossible to look away.

"Then Rogers..."

Watching Howard leave, Luke turned his head to look at Captain America.

As it turned out, the blonde girl who had stolen Rogers' first kiss was walking enthusiastically towards him.

"So, I'm the only one left?"

Rogers gave an apologetic glance before being dragged onto the dance floor by the blonde girl, leaving Luke alone at the bar, drinking without getting drunk.

The night outside grew deeper, but the second floor of the tavern became even livelier.

"Don't you like to dance, Commodore Cavill?"

A cool voice sounded in Luke's ear. He put down his wine glass and smiled, "Not really. I just haven't found a suitable dance partner, so I'm stuck here alone."

"Commodore Cavill, it seems you don't quite understand why none of those women who are usually so enthusiastic about you, practically throwing themselves at you, have come to ask you to dance?"

Carter, wearing a red dress and exuding dazzling allure, picked up the strong liquor Luke hadn't finished on the bar counter and drank it in one gulp.

"Do you know why, Miss Carter?"

Luke asked casually.

"I'd say you already have a dance partner booked."

Carter said with conviction, but the fine beads of sweat on her upturned nose, her rapidly beating heart, and the strong pheromones betrayed her.

"I thought Miss Carter would hate people like me, just like you rejected Howard. A frivolous and dissolute rogue shouldn't be your type."

Luke took a step forward, a smile playing on his lips, and said, "Or perhaps you've seen through my flashy exterior and realized that I actually possess a steady and profound inner substance?"

"I just... like challenging tasks, and I love adventure."

Carter answered evasively.

"And I want to know, are you planning to treat me with a straightforward attitude, or use honeyed words to bewitch me!"

Luke shrugged helplessly, cursing Howard for betraying him.

The man and woman stared at each other, with no hint of ambiguity, more like they were engaged in a competition.

They were at odds, neither willing to back down.

"Then, may I have this dance, Miss Carter?"

The young commodore sighed almost imperceptibly, bowed slightly, and extended his hand.

The dance was nearing its end, and he extended his invitation for the first dance.

The woman in the red dress bit her lip and placed her hand in Luke's palm.

A gentle melody flowed like water, enveloping the two as they danced gracefully.

The night was still long.

ps: Thank you to Ning Daiqing for the 10,000 point reward, Times Cycle for the 1,000 point reward, Unease for the 500 point reward, Wode Tian 2 Wei Sen Mo 3 La Mo Shuai for the 100 point reward, and mqidiancom for the 100 point reward. Sending virtual hugs~

ps2: I overslept and woke up thinking I had already updated. covers face (_)

ps3: I saw a reader asking in the comment section about the plot after World War II. Well, I'll be using a certain comic. Why don't you try to guess which one~