88 How dare you?

"The doctor says that Tang has suffered only external injuries including a minor fracture. He is just waiting for him to regain consciousness. But what happened?" asked Jia Li in a small voice.

"We found ourselves on a slippery terrain but big brother was driving cautiously. Suddenly, there was some sort of an animal which came in front of the car. He swerved the car to avoid it and ended up losing control. We banged the car into a tree. He lost consciousness and both Ethan and I were so dazed. Thank God that Ethan had the sense to dial for the emergency services asap. I am sorry I forgot to call and inform you. I finally realised it when we reached the hospital and asked the hospital staff to inform you," she babbled, nervously.

Jia Li squeezed her hand gently and assured her that she didn't need to feel guilty about anything presently. Together they went to the room where Tang was lying down. Jia Li took in his pale pallor and something broke in her heart. Tears rolled down out of their own accord and she reached out to take his unhurt hand into her own. Sitting on the bed beside him, she brushed the unruly hair which had fallen on his forehead.

She never realised when Ethan came into the room and took Chu away, leaving her alone with her thoughts and Tang's steady breathing beeping in the room.

"I felt so guilty lying to Jia Li just now. You should have seen her when she checked on me for any injury. I wanted to just blurt out everything to her, there and then," Chu sniffed.

As per plan, Tang had made Ethan and Chu get off on the side of the road and driven further ahead to bang into a tree deliberately. Chu had been so worried when they had reached the car and seen him actually unconscious and bleeding. She had prayed fervently for him to be ok else she would never forgive herself for agreeing to the mad scheme of her crazy brother.

Jia Li woke up with a bad crick in her neck early next morning. She blinked at the unfamiliar surroundings before last night's events came rushing back to her. She realised her hand still lay nestled in Tang's. His face seemed to have regained some of its colour and that comforted her. The nurse came into the room at that moment and gestured that it was time for the doctor's visit and that she should step out.

Jia Li went to find a washroom to freshen up and ran into the entire Xie family. Mr. Xie was shocked to see her there. But it was Mei Zhen who immediately pounced upon her.

"This is all your fault. How dare you try and seduce my husband behind my back?" she screeched.

Realising her intensions, Mrs. Xie tried to grab Mei Zhen's hand but she was too late.

"Thwaaack!"

She slapped an unsuspecting Jia Li right across her cheek. Caught unaware at the sudden aggression, Jia Li reeled backwards and would have fallen had it not been for Wei's arms which came and enveloped her from behind. She turned her moisture laden eyes to look at him and then lowered them in embarrassment.

Wei pulled her deeper into his arms and addressed a furious looking Mei Zhen.

"How dare YOU…Who gave you the right to hit her? If there is anyone responsible for this mess, it is your lying and cheating husband. So, go take out the anger on him instead of others. Next time if I see you raise even a finger at Jia Li, I will forget that you are a woman," his words were full of fire.

"Can we please stop this? I want to go see my son. Where is he, Jia Li?" Mrs. Xie intervened.

Jia Li didn't get a chance to respond as Chu and Ethan arrived there.

"Oh, you guys are here. Come, I will direct you to Tang's room," said Ethan, oblivious of what had transpired a minute ago.

At the same time, Wei began pulling Jia Li in the direction of the exit.

"Are you leaving already, Jia Li?" Wei's possessive arms around Jia Li didn't go unnoticed by Chu.

"I think its best if I leave now. Your entire family has arrived anyways. But can you please keep me posted on Tang's health? Will you call me the minute he regains consciousness?" she pleaded.

At Chu's confused nod, she smiled tremulously and left from there. Chu stared after the retreating back of Jia Li, lost deep in thought.

"My worry is that he hasn't woken up even once since his accident. I want you to find the best neurosurgeon in Shanghai and get him here," Mr. Xie barked instructions into his phone.