Chapter 154 A Kiss

New York, Queens, near the outskirts.

The setting sun dyed the clouds in the western sky a deep, crimson red. A gentle breeze swept down across the hills and the asphalt road, causing the yellow wheat fields on either side to ripple like the waves of an ocean.

A few farmers labored in the fields, wiping away sweat while their faces radiated a sense of fulfilled contentment. World War II had just ended, and people yearned for and cherished a peaceful, comfortable life all the more.

Sparks flickered and vanished in the sunlight. In the middle of the previously empty road, a silver-haired young man materialized out of nowhere. A hood concealed most of his hair and face, and his tall, muscular frame was clad in stylish black leather and jeans. Between his flawless appearance and his cold demeanor, he naturally drew the attention of the farmers.

Glancing around at the vast expanse of wheat fields, the silver-haired young man lowered his gaze to look at the residential photograph pinched between his fingers. He furrowed his brow, realizing that due to the lingering physical abnormalities caused by his spellcasting, it had malfunctioned slightly, failing to land him at the exact address shown in the picture.

"Young man, is there something we can help you with?" A middle-aged couple emerged from the adjacent wheat field, asking with kind and benevolent expressions.

"Pardon me, do you happen to know where Peggy Carter lives?" Raising the photograph to show the fronting pair, the silver-haired young man asked calmly.

"Peggy Carter?" The middle-aged couple's expressions shifted. Exchanging glances, the look they directed back at the silver-haired young man lost its warmth and grew considerably more guarded.

The bearded uncle raised an eyebrow, tightened his grip on his farming tool, and said in a slightly stern tone, "Who are you? Are you from the military? How many times do we have to tell you, Peggy is not going back to work there."

"I was indeed in the military once, but I retired long ago." The silver-haired young man shrugged. Not wishing to waste breath on unnecessary explanations, he said simply, "She and I were comrades. I'm leaving New York soon, so I came to pay her a visit."

"I see..." The farmwife hesitated. Beside her, the bearded uncle shook his head, resting his agricultural tool against the ground as he declined, "Whatever business you have, you can just tell us, and we'll pass it along. Peggy is resting quietly and isn't receiving visitors."

Faced with the blunt rejection, the silver-haired young man did not seem angry. He nodded and asked, "May I ask who the two of you are..."

Before the middle-aged couple could reply, a sweet yet cold female voice called out from not far behind them, "Father, Mother, what's going on?"

Wearing an elegant lady's hat and a tailored, casual Western suit, a woman carrying a basket stood at the corner of the wheat field road, standing as straight and upright as if drilled in military posture.

"Oh, Peggy, why did you come over?" The farmwife exclaimed, quickly jogging over to the woman.

With a clatter, the bearded uncle dropped his farming tool and hurried over with a trace of anxiety in his steps, scolding her gently, "Didn't I tell you not to go out..."

The pair's obvious concern brought a slight smile to Peggy's face. She lifted her basket and said, "I brought food for you both."

"You could have just had your brother bring it out."

The middle-aged couple continued to fuss, but then, as if suddenly remembering the presence of an outsider, they whispered a reminder, "Oh right, someone claiming to be an old comrade of yours is here to see you."

"A comrade?" Startled, Peggy lifted her beautiful eyes. When her gaze landed on the cold, striking figure of the silver-haired young man standing ten meters away, she felt as though she had been struck by lightning, and her delicate frame trembled violently.

"Carter, long time no be." The silver-haired young man raised his head, revealing his chiseled, handsome face from beneath the hood, a trace of a smile lingering at the corners of his lips.

"Yeah, long time no see, Kyle." Unable to conceal her emotions, Peggy said with a trembling voice.

"K... Kyle?" The bearded uncle muttered the name with a sudden sense of familiarity, his eyes widening in profound shock as he stared at the silver-haired young man. "Is—is he that person?"

Peggy's mother's expression changed just as drastically. "The Symbol of Peace?!"

This title transcended mere importance; he was a god-like superhero who should only exist in the epics of war.

"Pardon the interruption, but may I borrow Carter for a moment? I only need to say a few words and I'll be on my way," Kyle said, his gentle tone nevertheless carrying a subtle, unquestionable authority.

Amidst the vast fields.

Along a path overgrown with wildflowers, Kyle and Carter walked side by side in silence, strolling aimlessly.

Glancing sideways, Kyle's gaze fell upon Carter. A year had passed, and the woman's figure seemed slightly fuller than before. Her exquisite face wore minimal makeup, with only vibrant red lipstick on her lips, retaining her cold and striking beauty.

With a soft chuckle, Carter broke the silence. "Seeing my parents' stunned and adoring expressions just now reminds me of when I first met you two or three years ago. Back then, you were just a green recruit almost chased out of the training camp. Who would have thought you'd become the military's proudest legendary role model and the symbol of world peace?"

"Coincidentally, I was just thinking back to that time too. You were the sexy agent keeping a close eye on Steve and me," Kyle teased with a rare wink.

"Who would have known? A superhero covered in glory is actually just a rogue at heart." Lost in the memories, Carter scoffed softly, her cheeks flushing with a bashful pink under the sunlight.

"Well, that was all a misunderstanding," Kyle muttered inwardly, wondering how much longer he would have to take the blame for Venom.

"Right," Kyle said, his expression turning serious as he looked at Carter, recalling the scene from earlier. "Why did you resign? Seeing how nervous your parents were, are you dealing with some kind of illness?"

"No, I was just tired of working for the military, so I chose to come home to live a peaceful life. My family is just overly dramatic when it comes to worrying about people." A ripple flashed through her eyes as Carter answered expressionlessly.

"As long as you're well. Before Steve crashed his plane, he made me promise to look after you. If anything were to happen to you, I wouldn't be able to leave with a clear conscience." Kyle smiled faintly. His words caused Carter's expression to dim. She paused in her steps, quickly turning her head away to ask with surprise, "Leave? Where are you going?"

"I am leaving New York, leaving the Americas, to go to a faraway place," Kyle said calmly, his voice devoid of joy or sorrow.

"When are you coming back?" Carter asked, taking a deep breath.

"I don't know. I might come back, or I might not." Smiling faintly, Kyle looked at Carter and said, "I've already had Howard sign the paperwork to transfer one million US dollars into your personal bank account. You can go to the central bank to withdraw it officially. Besides, once I'm back, I'll have Fury and Joseph intervene so that no one from the military will ever come to bother you again."

"You can go live whatever life you want."

With that, Kyle raised his right hand. Two invisible fate-enhancing cards materialized between his fingers. With a flick of his hand, the cards vanished rapidly into Carter's body, taking effect immediately.

Two rare blue fate cards granted a total of sixty years of natural lifespan extension. Given Carter's longevity into her nineties in the original timeline, living well into the middle of the next century would be more than enough.

Choosing to give her only the fate cards was a decision Kyle had deliberated over carefully.

The life Peggy Carter desired was something Steve could not give her, and it was even less possible for him to provide.

Whether she chose a long, lingering wait or a peaceful, happy life as an ordinary person was entirely up to her own free will.

"I understand." Peggy smiled softly, radiant and seductive like a blooming rose. Suddenly stepping forward, she embraced Kyle and pressed a dragonfly-kiss to his cheek near the corner of his mouth. "Consider this my farewell gift."

Kyle felt a brush of fragrance and the lingering warmth of moisture on his face. By the time he registered it, Peggy had already turned and walked a few steps away, her back facing him as she said, "Go on then."

"Take care." He instinctively touched the spot where she had kissed him, then nodded and cast a spell to open a portal right where he stood.

Looking at Carter's retreating figure, a strong premonition suddenly gripped his heart that after this parting, he might never see this woman again.

Yet, a moment later, Kyle shook off the chaotic thoughts in his mind and stepped resolutely into the portal.