Half an hour later, the thoroughly drunk soldiers gradually left.
Having heard about the ball, everyone had gone up to the second floor early.
The tables and chairs had been cleared away, leaving a wide-open space.
An old-fashioned gramophone stood by the window, its soothing, tranquil melody flowing out and echoing through the second floor.
Those soldiers with impure intentions surveyed the ladies present with furtive, restrained glances.
Some were unmarried battlefield nurses, some were young local girls carefully selected by the town mayor, and others were civilian staff from the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
Like blooming flowers, they were at that lovely stage just before full blossom, waiting for someone to pick them.
"Commander, I've always been confused about something."
Dugan, nicknamed "Dum Dum," stroked his thick beard and asked, "These guys' ultimate goal is to trick women into bed. They have no interest in dancing at all."
"Then why don't they just state their intentions directly? That would save time, get straight to the important part, and leave more time for what really matters."
"Dugan, tell me, when you proposed to your current wife, did you hold a gun to her head? Otherwise, why would she have agreed to marry you?"
Luke joked as he handed over his glass.
"You walk up to any woman and say, 'Let's skip all the preliminary steps and get straight to the point—exchange bodily fluids. What do you think?' Then she'll slap you clean across the face and take you for a filthy pervert."
"But change your approach. Walk up, invite her for a drink, tell a few amusing jokes, talk about your experiences—don't worry whether they're true or not. As long as you sound cool and attractive. Once the mood is right, suggest going to her room, or inviting her to visit yours! If you're good enough, afterward she'll only nestle in your arms and say passionately, 'You're the best man I've ever met!'"
"Do you understand now, Dugan? Being direct gets you treated like a thug. Sweet talk is how you bring home the prey."
Dum Dum looked utterly bewildered. Back then, he had only managed to get married because he had been lucky.
"Luke, I really have to look at you in a new light. I never expected you to have such profound insights. We should talk and exchange ideas more often when we have time."
Luke, leaning against the bar, saw Howard approach.
The arms tycoon was dressed flamboyantly in a suit, vest, trousers, and polished leather shoes. His hair was slicked back until it gleamed, and his tiny mustache had been meticulously groomed.
"You're still the expert in this area. I'm just an armchair strategist with plenty of theoretical knowledge."
Luke smiled and conceded defeat. Being a charming womanizer was a Stark family trait; he could not compete.
Howard nodded without the slightest modesty, readily accepting the young commodore's praise.
It proved that one of the best ways for men to grow closer was to talk about women.
Dum Dum, who had always been prejudiced against rich people, had become drinking buddies with Howard after only twenty minutes.
The former was fascinated by the playboy's stories about picking up Hollywood starlets, while the latter simply lacked someone to play along.
The two hit it off immediately and chatted enthusiastically.
"Steve, come listen to Howard's live lesson."
Luke spotted Captain America coming up the stairs and quickly waved him over.
Rogers had always been good-natured. After accepting a glass of whiskey, he put Luke's earlier teasing behind him.
The four leaned against the bar, drinking as they watched the young men and women sing and dance.
"Howard, why aren't you dancing?"
Luke was a little puzzled. Howard, a man born to chase romance, was actually willing to remain single instead of going out to have some fun.
That was quite rare!
"A true master always makes his entrance last."
Howard stroked his little mustache and smiled faintly.
A few minutes later, he saw Carter ascend to the second floor in a red dress that outlined her graceful curves.
He raised a hand to straighten his collar, picked up a glass of gin, and strode over with a smile, his head held high.
"I bet he won't last more than two minutes!"
Luke was the first to place a wager.
"Five minutes!"
"Eight minutes!"
Dum Dum and Rogers said respectively.
After listening to Howard's lessons, they both agreed that he was an experienced hand among women.
"Three glasses of gin!"
As soon as Luke named the stakes, Howard returned to the bar dejectedly in less than a minute.
"Drink!"
Six glasses of gin were lined up, and Dum Dum and Rogers started guzzling them down.
"I... thought you really were some kind of master."
Dum Dum's tongue was tied, and his words slurred as he looked disdainfully at Howard, whose invitation had failed.
Howard snorted twice but had no retort.
"At least I had the courage to charge that iceberg, unlike you lot, who only dare hide off to the side."
Unable to find any other excuse, Howard could only save face that way.
"Steve, you give it a try!"
Luke encouraged Captain America, but fortunately, Steve could not get drunk and remained clear-headed. He shook his head in refusal.
Even Howard, a self-proclaimed romantic expert who had spent years among women without ever suffering defeat, had met his Waterloo.
If a rookie like him went over there, the outcome was obvious.
"Then Dugan? Hey, this guy's already down."
When Luke turned his head, Dum Dum was already sprawled across the bar, snoring away.
"Goodbye, gentlemen. I'm going to find a young lady with a generous bosom to soothe my fragile little heart."
Howard truly was an experienced womanizer. He quickly emerged from the shadow of failure and looked toward the busty girl sitting opposite him, waiting for an invitation.
She had long brown hair, a lovely face, and delicate features. Most notably, she had a generous bosom that made it hard to look away.
"Then Rogers..."
Watching Howard walk away, Luke turned toward Captain America.
Then the blonde girl who had stolen Rogers's first kiss came over enthusiastically.
"So I'm the only one left?"
Rogers gave him an apologetic look before the blonde girl dragged him onto the dance floor, leaving Luke alone at the bar, drinking without even being able to get drunk.
The night outside grew darker, while the second floor of the tavern grew livelier.
"You don't like dancing, Commodore Cavill?"
A cool voice sounded beside Luke. He set down his glass and smiled. "That's not it. I just haven't found a suitable dance partner, so I can only stay here by myself."
"Commodore Cavill, you seem not to understand why those women who are usually so enthusiastic about you, practically throwing themselves at you, haven't come to invite you to dance."
Carter, radiant in her red dress, picked up the untouched strong liquor on the bar in front of Luke and drained it in one gulp.
"Does Miss Carter know the reason?"
Luke asked in a relaxed tone.
"I told them you already had a dance partner reserved."
Carter spoke with firm conviction, but the fine beads of sweat on the tip of her pert nose, the thunderous pounding of her heart, and the rich scent of pheromones all gave her away.
"I thought Miss Carter would dislike someone like me, just as you rejected Howard. A frivolous, indulgent rake shouldn't be your type."
Luke stepped forward, a faint smile curling at his lips. "Or have you seen through the flashy surface I show the world and realized that I'm actually a man of depth and maturity?"
"I just... like challenging assignments, and I love adventure too."
Carter did not answer the question.
"Besides, I want to know whether you intend to treat me with a direct attitude, or use sweet talk to confuse me!"
Luke shrugged helplessly, silently cursing Howard for selling him out.
The man and woman looked at each other. There was no flirtatious atmosphere between them; it was more like a contest.
Neither side gave an inch, and neither was willing to lower their head.
"Then may I have this dance, Miss Carter?"
The young commodore let out an almost imperceptible sigh, bowed slightly, and extended his hand.
The ball was nearly over, and he had issued his invitation for the first dance.
The woman in red lightly bit her lip and placed her hand in Luke's palm.
The gentle melody flowed like water, surrounding the two as they danced.
The night was still long.
P.S. Thanks to Ning Daiqing for the 10,000-point donation, Era Cycle for the 1,000-point donation, Unease for the 500-point donation, Wade Sky 2 Vision Mo 3 Ramo Decay for the 100-point donation, and mqidiancom for the 100-point donation. Hearts~
P.S. 2: I overslept. When I woke up, I thought I had already updated. Covering my face (_)
P.S. 3: I saw a reader in the review section asking about the post-World War II plot. Well, I'll be using a comic arc. Feel free to guess which one~
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