From Reel to Real

XVII. The Plan

"Is everyone here?" Dylan asked. They were all gathering at Xi Ze's apartment. It was a rare occasion to have a reunion again after the Hualien trip but Kang and Kuan showed up despite their busy schedules.

"Xi Zi is not here yet," Xi Ze said.

"Call him. Or else he will be out of my friend list. I mean it." Dylan said firmly.

Kang and Kuan looked at each other questioningly. They turned to Jia Qi for clues but she politely smiled and gestured them to wait.

"Didi, it's not his fault." Yue said. Dylan pursed his lips together and nodded knowingly. "Do you really want to be in this meeting, Yue?"

"Yes, I want him down just like you do."

"Okay but if you feel the need to sit out, please do so." He placed her hands in his. Kuan and Kang looked at each other. "10 yuan," Kuan whispered to Kang.

Xi Ze overheard. "What's that, guys?"

"Nothing. We had a little bet. If Didi and Yue are dating. Kang lost." Kuan grinned sheepishly. "What the hell! Grow up!" Xi Ze mumbled.

Yue could not help but smile. Despite the situation they were going through, having a light moment seemed good. Kuan winked at her back and whispered, "Good catch, Yue," giving her a thumbs-up. Dylan was just watching them, and could not help smiling either. He put an arm around Yue and squeezed her shoulder.

"Xi Zi is here!!" Jia Qi announced.

"Hey guys! What's up?? Woah, everyone is here. Didi! Are we having a games night?" Xi Zi said, looking really excited.

Dylan lunged forward with his fist up but Xi Ze was quick enough to stop him. "Didi! Stop being immature. Do you really wanna hurt him before we start the meeting?"

Dylan sneered. "I just wanna scare him. I will let you facilitate the meeting, Xi Ze."

"Xi Zi, please sit down."

Xi Zi looked blur. "What's going on?" Nobody bothered to answer him.

"Everyone, I know we have called this meeting urgently but it's at this moment we need your help. Dylan and Yue are at stake here. This is the situation..."

When Xi Ze finished his briefing, there was a commotion in the room. Kuan who was normally calm stood up and got mad. "Xi Zi, how could you introduce such a friend to them? If Didi doesn't punch you, I will!" Kang had to hold onto him. "Kuan, cool down please!"

Poor Xi Zi was trembling in fear and wishing he did not show up tonight. "I'm sorry Didi , Yue  I really had no idea. He didn't seem like a bad guy to me."

Kang chipped in, "You have poor taste. You better redeem yourself!"

Xi Ze motioned them to sit down. "The battle is not in this room, brothers! The enemy is out there, why fight amongst ourselves?"

Dylan stood up and spoke "Brothers, this is a serious matter. if Shang Yan can do this to Yue and I, he can do this to you and other celebrities. God knows, how many people he had blackmailed. We cannot continue to serve bullies like him."

"You're right, Didi. But how can we go about this? We need professional help." Kang said.

"First, we need to establish some facts of what we know and understand. We know that he got hold of their photos, from stalking them. And he wants money."

"What about harassing Yue? I get so angry when I think about it," Jia Qi said, looking at Yue. Yue had not spoken a word since the meeting started. Her face was expressionless. Dylan was still holding her hands.