American Affairs

When Alex returned to America, a whirlwind romance had swept across the nation. Countless people had been moved to tears. It was even more heartrending and soul-stirring than Waterloo Bridge that summer.

"Ghost? What's that?" The moment Audrey stepped off the ship, she spotted an enormous poster standing on the dock. A man and woman were embracing, their figures hazy and unreal, impossible to make out clearly. She could only vaguely recognize the woman as Vivien Leigh. "Is this Vivien Leigh's new movie?"

Alex looked over at her words, somewhat surprised. "Ghost is already out?"

"Yeah! If you'd come back any later, you would've missed the show!" Just as he was marveling at it, someone rushed over and threw his arms tightly around Alex, his face full of excitement.

Alex looked at Bucky's wide grin and teased, "Hey, Bucky, you've gotten bigger again!" He then turned toward Steve, who stood nearby with a faint smile on his face. Alex slung an arm around Steve's shoulders and complained, "Steve, you need to eat more. You're way too skinny!"

At that moment, another crisp female voice rang out, slightly breathless yet brimming with excitement.

"Brother!"

Hearing her, Alex released Steve and Bucky and turned toward her. Marilyn Monroe stood there in a pink princess dress, looking sweet and lovely, her bright eyes filled with glistening tears.

"Monroe, I missed you so much!" Alex scooped Monroe up and planted a hard kiss on her smooth forehead.

Monroe's pretty face flushed faintly. She wrapped her arms around Alex's head and suddenly began to cry. Between sobs, she cried out hoarsely, "Brother, please don't leave Monroe behind again. Never again."

While Alex was busy comforting Monroe, Audrey's little face had tightened as she simmered with anger. Behind her, Ella's expression also changed. She realized that Alex did not seem to be as good as she had imagined.

Just then, another woman's voice sounded. A graceful woman wearing a veil approached, her sweet voice tinged with anger. "Great hero, you finally decided to come back!"

Alex turned toward her in confusion, wondering who this woman was and why she was angry at him right away.

"Vivien Leigh." Steve noticed the confusion on Alex's face and quietly reminded him, "She was very worried when you disappeared too."

Alex smiled awkwardly and waved a hand. "Come on, let's go to Chinatown. I'll treat everyone to a big meal as an apology. How does that sound?"

Amid everyone's cheers, the group got into cars and headed for Chinatown.

After a hearty feast, everyone said they forgave Alex. Hearing that, Alex could only smile bitterly. So he was only worth one meal?

After the meal, Alex found Vivien Leigh, with Audrey Hepburn behind him, and naturally Marilyn Monroe was there as well. Little girls' friendships really were strange. After only a few hours together, the two girls had become good friends and insisted on holding hands wherever they went.

"Miss Vivien Leigh, how has Monroe been doing lately?" Alex glanced at Monroe before turning to Vivien Leigh.

"Just call me pussy." Vivien Leigh reached out and rubbed Monroe's little head, smiling softly. "Monroe has been doing very well. She has already appeared in a movie, and the director praised her for being beautiful!"

Monroe raised her head with a proud expression, like a haughty swan waiting for Alex's praise.

Alex gently patted Monroe's head and smiled. Looking at Vivien Leigh, he said gratefully, "Then I have to thank... pussy for teaching her so well. And thank you for taking care of Monroe during this time."

Vivien Leigh smiled lightly, radiating maternal warmth. "It was only natural. After all, I'm Monroe's godmother."

Alex smiled along with her and gently pulled Audrey forward from behind him. Looking somewhat embarrassed, he said to Vivien Leigh, "Pussy, I have another favor to ask!" As he spoke, he pointed to Audrey. "This is my sister. She likes movies too, and I was hoping..."

"You really do have a lot of sisters!" Vivien Leigh rolled her beautiful eyes at Alex, then casually pulled Audrey to her side and looked her over from head to toe. She clicked her tongue in admiration. "Beautiful, elegant—she has the makings of a film actress."

"So you agree?" Alex was excited. As the war developed, he would inevitably have to leave America. If he could entrust Audrey to Vivien Leigh as well, he would feel more at ease.

Vivien Leigh gave a soft snort and said in a strange tone, "I'm raising two sisters for you. What do I get out of it?"

"What do you get?" Alex pondered for a moment, then looked up at Vivien Leigh. "I'll give you a few more stories. I guarantee they'll make you a huge star in Hollywood."

Vivien Leigh stared steadily at Alex. After a long silence, she finally said, "I don't like acting, and I don't want to become a star... Forget it. Why am I telling you this?" She raised a hand to wipe at the corner of her eye and gave a dry laugh. "I'll take care of your two sisters for you!"

Alex gave Vivien Leigh a strange look but did not ask further. Everyone had their secrets.

That night, Alex returned to his apartment. Taking advantage of the quiet night, he secretly used Teleportation to return to the laboratory from before. But to his disappointment, the laboratory seemed to have been abandoned. All the equipment had been moved away, and nothing was left behind. When he pushed open the main door, the long, narrow passage beyond was pitch black, with no guards in sight. Following the passage out, Alex discovered that he was actually in Berlin.

Alex searched all of Berlin but found no trace of Red Skull or Zola, much less the legendary Hydra. Toby Manes's trail had completely gone cold, and it was unknown whether he was dead or alive.

Unable to find any information, Alex could only return to America helplessly. While preparing good stories for Vivien Leigh, he was also busy finding a place for Audrey and Ella to live. Audrey was different from Monroe. Monroe was alone, so it did not matter if she followed Vivien Leigh. But Audrey still had her mother. Even if she moved in with Vivien Leigh, Alex still needed to find somewhere for her mother to live.

In the blink of an eye, Alex had been back in New York for two days.

He had already given the completed stories to Vivien Leigh, and he had also found a home for Audrey and her mother, Ella. It was near Vivien Leigh's house, only a hundred meters away. During that time, Alex had accompanied the women to see Ghost. They all cried their eyes out, leaving Alex exhausted as he consoled one woman after another.

Just when everything had finally settled down and Alex was about to take a proper break, another upheaval arose. A storm suddenly descended.