Chapter 23: The Diamond Barbie

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“Can you stop looking?” Levi felt uncomfortable and was about to walk past Leslie—but the other grabbed him.

“Your hands are for controlling fighter jets—why would someone tie them so tightly?” Leslie’s eyelids were drooping, Levi couldn’t see his gaze. His fingers pressed hard on the mark on Levi’s wrist, seemingly gentle—but the force of his fingers seemed to want to break Levi’s bones.

“Thank you for your praise of my hands.” Levi pulled his hand back, “Besides flying fighter jets—they can also hold tight to those beautiful women who crave love when I’m flirting, and pick up knives and forks when I’m eating…”

“But when someone has ulterior motives towards you—they can only be uselessly tied up?” Leslie tilted his head, Levi thought there would be mockery in his eyes, but when he looked carefully—he found nothing.

“Leslie, I mean let’s not discuss this anymore, if you still consider me your friend.” This time—Levi was truly impatient.

“Did I say something wrong?” Leslie leisurely fiddled with his knuckles, making a few snapping sounds.

Levi had a black line on his face, “I said, even if I don’t want to bring it up anymore—you don’t need to beat me up, do you?”

As soon as the words left his mouth—Leslie grabbed Levi’s shoulder and pressed him hard against the wall.

“What’s wrong with you!” Levi used his elbow to push against the other’s chest, if this hit—Leslie would probably have to go to the hospital. But the other effortlessly pressed down on Levi’s elbow, and when Levi’s palm hit the wall—his bones ached and he broke out in a cold sweat.

“Did you learn your close combat for nothing?” A cold voice echoed in Levi’s neck—inadvertently provoking his nerves.

“i’ve just been in the hospital for two days and I’m a little tired!” Levi tried to break free from the other, but was only pressed harder against the wall—his face was already severely deformed, “Besides, what do I need such powerful close combat for as a fighter pilot?”

Of course he wouldn’t tell Leslie that his close combat score at the Air Force Academy was only B, and that was only because the instructor wanted him to graduate early and not stay behind to harm other students that he gave him a sympathy score. But Levi always thought that the close combat at the Air Force Academy was too rigid—and his own fighting skills were learned from fighting with others since he was a child, and were more practical. It’s just that Claude’s fighting skills seem to be more practical…

The force behind him increased—Levi lamented in his heart that his arm was about to dislocate.

“So you don’t care if you’re taken by another man?” Without turning around, Levi could guess that Leslie’s brow must be raised high.

“There aren’t that many perverts!” Thinking of Claude, Levi’s anger rose.

“You’re such an idiot.” Leslie suddenly let go—Levi’s arm loosened, he turned around and leaned against the wall to move his shoulder joint, his expression like he had eaten shit.

“Leslie, you really are a Diamond Barbie^[1]Delicate and feminine…”

With a face so beautiful that it makes people want to fantasize, but with strength that makes people afraid to approach.

As soon as he looked up—Levi met Leslie’s eyes, there was still no ripple in them, it was because they were too calm, there seemed to be something about to gush out and devour everything.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Leslie walked out the door, Levi could only follow behind him dejectedly.

The “Princess Leslie” at this moment was not to be trifled with.

What Levi was thinking about was the fried squid in the bar—but Leslie didn’t bargain with him and took him to a Western restaurant, ordering tonight’s dinner according to the nutritionist’s menu.

“A man should drink beer and eat barbecue…” Levi muttered softly.

“Or i’ll apply to have the military shut down all the bars in the city for your sake.”

Levi felt that Claude couldn’t do anything to him, how come he was so stifled by Leslie?

The music was elegant, slowly swaying silently with time. But this kind of music made Levi sleepy. All around were couples whispering sweet nothings—their eyes and brows filled with a romantic atmosphere.

Levi sighed in his heart—he used to love Leslie desperately, he foolishly fantasized about being with the Leslie in his heart, having desserts in such a high-end restaurant that girls dream of—but his fantasy came true, Levi felt even more miserable.

After finishing the chicken steak and fish floss—Levi boredly poked at the vegetable salad with his fork, occasionally glancing at Leslie sitting opposite him, the other’s eating manners were elegant and unhurried but not effeminate at all, even clean and neat.

“Eat the vegetable salad.” Leslie said lightly.

If Miller was sitting opposite him—Levi would have already started making off-topic jokes, and even wanted to tease him. But it was Leslie, Levi was never afraid of Leslie—it’s just that the other’s aura was too strong today, Levi was at a disadvantage, he could only feel wronged flicked his tongue and stuff the vegetables into his mouth.

Out of the restaurant, Levi thought Leslie would go back to the dormitory—but unexpectedly the other was still following behind him.

“Hey, don’t worry, I’m an officer—who can do anything to me on the street?” Levi had his own little plan in his heart, he didn’t want Leslie to follow him like this.

Leslie sneered, Levi knew of course that the other was mocking him for being an officer and almost being what in the ward.

This guy wouldn’t be “escorting” him back to the ward, would he? Levi was still thinking that he could detour to the bar after Leslie was far away!

Glancing at the young man standing under the eaves smoking—Levi stopped and smiled mischievously at Leslie, “If you keep following me, if something goes wrong with my health check next week, don’t blame me.”

Leslie raised his eyebrows, meaning “i’ll see what tricks you can play.”

Levi triumphantly walked towards the young man, said a few words, and the other readily placed a pack of cigarettes in his palm.

When the young man left—Levi grinned and shook the cigarettes in his hand at Leslie, “Want to come with me?”

Smoking is prohibited in the pilot’s code, for a very simple reason—smoking is harmful to health. The physical fitness of pilots is of paramount importance—as a pilot, many rights are deprived including smoking. Pilots cannot buy cigarettes in any store that sells cigarettes and alcohol, of course, buying from others like Levi is another matter.

There is a physical examination every month—the content of nicotine in the body is very easy to track.

“Where to smoke.” Leslie walked up to Levi and took the pack of cigarettes without a word.

“Hey—why did you take them all?” Levi was a little surprised by Leslie’s reaction—shouldn’t the guy be sneering at his absurd behavior? He was stunned for two seconds, Levi quickly followed behind Leslie, and the two went to a supermarket.

Leslie silently scanned the crowd paying and the rows of shelves in front of him—locked onto a direction, and then pulled Levi’s wrist and walked, there was a sign indicating the restroom.

Levi vaguely guessed Leslie’s idea—if they were seen smoking by anyone and reported, a warning would be the least of their worries, the effort of writing a self-criticism in the documents would be a real headache, but the restroom was a safe place. But he really didn’t want to be pulled like this by the other.

The men in the restroom who were peeing looked at Leslie pulling Levi, plus Leslie’s handsome looks— they all unconsciously showed ambiguous looks, especially when Leslie opened the door of the cubicle and pushed Levi in—this made Levi have an urge to rush out and clarify everything.

But the cubicle door had already been “bang” shut.

Leslie leaned against the door—shook the cigarette box in his hand, a cigarette was shaken out, no matter how you looked at it, he looked like an old hand. The restroom was not wide, Levi felt like he was about to be close to the other, subconsciously stepped back, and sat on the toilet.

“Hey, don’t you think we’ll be misunderstood by people outside?”

“Misunderstood what?” The lighter made a click sound—the faint flame was only for a moment, but it seemed to burn the air.

Levi laughed at Leslie’s face, “You’re too beautiful, they’ll misunderstand that you and I are making out in here.”

“Want to try it.” Leslie’s words made Levi stunned.

“No need. Looking at your face can still make your heart flutter—take off your clothes and all the beauty is gone.” Levi showed a ‘too funny’ expression.

“I’m talking about cigarettes.” Leslie’s two fingers held the just lit cigarette, slightly tilting his head—there was a bit of mature charm in the disdain, “And even if it’s making out—you’re definitely the one being pressed.”

Levi didn’t get angry, with a ‘let you win’ expression he took the cigarette from Leslie’s hand, put it in his mouth and took a puff—the feeling… It choked his lungs, making him cough so hard that tears streamed down his face.

No wonder people say smoking is harmful to health.

“One cigarette reduces six seconds of life.” At this moment, Levi was imitating the teacher’s tone.

“I’m willing to use six seconds to exchange for a moment of pleasure.” Leslie looked at Levi with a sideways glance.

“Aren’t you afraid of the physical examination next week?”

“Idiot, with just two puffs, you tell the doctor that you have a friend who smokes, and you unfortunately smoked his second-hand smoke.” Leslie’s face leaned towards Levi—at a distance of less than a centimeter, he smiled and blew a smoke ring on Levi’s face.

In the swirling smoke, Leslie’s brows and eyes seemed to be softened beyond redemption.

“You’re so beautiful, Leslie.” Like a dream—Levi called out the other’s childhood nickname, that girl-like name.

“I’m not a girl. And I hope you never have similar illusions.”

“You’re so beautiful, Leslie. This is not an illusion.” Levi smiled—revealing a touch of self-deprecation.

Leslie extinguished the cigarette butt.

“Why aren’t you smoking anymore?” Levi was about to enjoy that unique posture.

“Second-hand smoke is more harmful to health, don’t you know?” Leslie smiled lightly, “Cigarettes are not for you.”

“Indeed—beer and beauties are more suitable for me.” Levi regretfully looked at the cigarette butt on the ground, then Leslie readily threw the whole pack of cigarettes into the trash can.

“If you can’t smoke, don’t pretend you can.” Leslie’s palm rubbed Levi’s head, “You’re so face-conscious—if you’re exposed, you’ll lose face.”

“Cut it out!” Levi shrugged, “How did you learn to smoke?”

“My mom smokes. Especially when she misses someone.” Leslie said calmly.

But Levi knew what kind of emotions were under this calmness.

“Can we not stay here?” Levi asked—he bet there were definitely a lot of people outside eavesdropping on what they were doing.

“There’s more to do in here than just smoke, are you sure you don’t want to try?” Leslie said, then pretended to unbutton his collar. His fingers were long and strong, and the way he pulled at his collar was so sexy that it was hard to look away.

“No need… I still want to live to be a hundred and fifty years old…” Levi had taken too many hits today—he didn’t have the energy to continue joking with Leslie.

As he came out of the cubicle—many people looked at Levi with envious eyes.

One person even whistled and said to Levi, “Brother, you finished with such a beautiful woman so quickly!”

“Hey! Want to race me to see who’s faster!” Levi’s male pride was insulted—he was about to step forward but was grabbed by the neck by Leslie and twisted out of the restroom.

Leaving the supermarket, Levi and Leslie walked down the street.

Levi stretched, “I’m telling you, Leslie, this is the happiest day of my life.”

“Because you smoked?”

“No, because you smoked with me. When I was little, I always hoped you would do the same things with me like eat lunch and snacks together, skip class and go out to play together, get beaten up by the older kids together.” Levi turned his head—the streetlights outlined a curve that was almost beautiful, “And right now, you’re breaking the rules with me, like committing a crime.”

Leslie stood not far away, looking at Levi in the light.

Bright, as if he was about to fly away to an unreachable place.

The next second, Levi was in Leslie’s arms—the force of the hug made his bones creak.

“Next time, don’t use your fighter jet to cover me again.”

Levi was choked so hard that his teeth were bared, “Okay, then you cover me next time.”

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Editor and Proofreader: Meowrii