"Ding, a task has been triggered: Pepper Rose."
Pepper Rose: Pepper Potts is a good girl, young and fresh, with outstanding abilities. Please become her boyfriend. (She currently only has an employment relationship with Tony.) Reward: Skill—Soulmate.
Soulmate: Your girlfriend or wife won't mind you having other women.
Steve executed a flawless drift, overtaking Tony from behind and pulling ahead. He reached the Mikaelan Casino in Las Vegas first, leading by a mere second.
Stepping out of the car, Steve felt a strange sensation. Why had this task popped up all of a sudden? And the reward—wasn't it asking him to make a mistake?
On the red carpet at the casino entrance stood a stunning woman in her twenties. Blonde hair framed her delicate face, fair skin glowing under the morning light.
Light makeup highlighted her rosy cheeks and crimson lips, while black pearl earrings added a touch of sophistication.
Her tailored suit accentuated a tall, graceful figure, and her black high heels completed the elegant ensemble.
Steve's eyes lit up. This Pepper was young, vibrant, and utterly captivating.
Indeed, age could be a woman's advantage.
He recalled her evolution from Iron Man 1 to Avengers 4—she had always been beautiful, but now even more so.
Screech! Tony's car screeched to a stop. He jumped out, frustrated.
"I didn't think an old ice pop like you could beat me! Using the drainage ditch to drift—you actually thought you wouldn't flip over?!"
"Hehe, you let me win. You're paying for tonight's expenses!" Steve laughed, slinging an arm around Tony's shoulder.
His gaze, however, was fixed on Pepper, who stood elegantly with her hands clasped. "Do you know that beauty? I want to pursue her!"
Tony froze. "That's my secretary, Potts! Don't you already have a girlfriend?"
Steve grinned. "New York State law doesn't prohibit marrying more than one! I'm devoted; I don't chase shallow women. I just want someone to settle down with."
He gestured to the socialites and party girls around them, their revealing outfits and hungry glances obvious.
Then he squeezed Tony's shoulder. "Are we good brothers or not? Help me out!"
Tony blinked. Good brothers trying to woo my future wife?
He yanked his shoulder free. "If you want her, go get her yourself. She's single. And if you're not going to play here, then how does that make you the 'modern Captain America'?"
"Dancing is fine, but physical intimacy is not! I'm not that kind of person!" Steve replied righteously.
Tony's mind reeled. Walking through a garden of flowers is being promiscuous, marrying two wives is devoted? He handed the car keys to Happy, who dutifully drove off.
"Sir, I'm here to remind you of tonight's awards ceremony," Pepper said, holding a dense schedule.
She glanced at Steve. Handsome, strong, calm—he exuded a natural aura that was hard to ignore.
Tony waved her off. "No, no, no. That kind of event is boring. I'd rather gamble here. By the way, this is Steve. He wants to woo you."
Tony smirked and entered the casino first, leaving Steve to introduce himself. Genius and mischievous—classic Tony Stark.
Steve extended a hand to Pepper. "I'm Steve Rogers. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Pepper shook it, her expression calm and professional. "Pepper Potts. I'm Mr. Stark's personal assistant, responsible for his communications and scheduling."
They looked at each other for a long moment; the air felt subtly charged with curiosity and intrigue.
"You're beautiful and intelligent. Beautiful women are common; an interesting soul is rare.
Would you accompany me for a walk inside? I want to properly experience modern life." Steve's words carried a faint melancholy, as if tinged with a sadness only someone who had seen so much loss could possess.
"Of course." Pepper's interest piqued; he felt strangely familiar.
The Milanka Casino, the largest in Las Vegas, was alive with energy.
Incandescent lighting, perfumed air, waitresses carrying trays, gamblers everywhere—it was easy to lose track of time here.
"Steve, you look familiar… I feel like I've seen you somewhere before." Pepper finally spoke, breaking the silence.
Steve leaned closer. "Do you know why Tony calls me an old ice pop?"
Pepper's curiosity deepened. Nicknames were personal—they implied recognition and friendship.
"I'm actually almost a hundred years old," Steve whispered.
"I fought the Nazis in World War II, but they had an atomic bomb on a plane. If it had gone off, all of New York would have been destroyed.
I crash-landed in the North Pole and lost consciousness. When I woke up, only two days ago, everything had changed."
Pepper gasped, her hand covering her mouth, eyes wide with shock and admiration. "You… you're Captain America! The war hero!"
Steve shook his head humbly. "I'm no hero. The soldiers who gave their lives for peace—that's heroism. I just survived."
Despite his words, the proud posture of his chest and the straight line of his back betrayed the modesty.
Pepper linked her arm through his, her face radiant with joy. "You're really Steve? Oh my god, I actually met a superhero! Can I… get your autograph later?"