Chu didn't want to lie to him nor did she want to discourage him . Her hesitation to answer made him restless . He tried getting up by putting his entire weight on the right side but it still required his sister's help before he could sit up .

"Don't get worked up . As per the doctor, the recovery period is dependent upon the patient . If the patient is someone as lazy as you, maybe it can take years . If it is someone diligent and sincere like me, I guess it would take just a few months," she teased him .

At his unimpressed stare, she continued, "well, what I meant was that it varies from patient to patient . The same goes for the extent of recovery . It depends upon the person's willingness and body's response to the treatment . So, basically…" she was stopped by Tang's raised hand .

He typed again, "who all know about my condition? Has Jia Li been in touch with you?"

"No one apart from the four of us and the lawyers know about it . As for Jia Li, no, why would she be in touch? She hasn't written or called ever since, well… since the episode in Shanghai . Funnily, the only person who has been messaging me frequently is brother Li Jie . And he really is curious to know about your whereabouts," she told him .

"I didn't know that you and he were this close . Somehow in my head, it has always been brother Deng Chung instead, who was closer to you . Li Jie was always Jia Li's buddy . At least that's been my impression for all these years," Chu spoke her thoughts out loud .

Tang was getting worked up with the non-stop drool leaking from the side of his mouth . It was a weird, obnoxious feeling . He didn't even want to imagine as to how did he look currently . On top of that, his body felt as if it was a heavy piece of lumber which couldn't be moved . One hour into consciousness and he was beginning to hate it already . His inability to communicate anything verbally was not helping the matters .

He had so many questions but little patience to be able to type everything down . He felt as if he is going to choke with frustration .

He typed out two lines, "I don't want you to mention anything about me or my condition to Li Jie or anyone else without checking with me first . Make sure dad and mom follow the same . "

Leaning back into the bed, he was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted . He handed back the phone to her, only to s.n.a.t.c.h it back immediately, yet again .

"How soon can I start the physiotherapy?" he typed .

Chu said, "I am not sure . You have just woken up . Take it easy . The doctor wants to run a few tests . We haven't discussed about starting the physiotherapy yet . "

"I want to be included when that discussion happens . Henceforth, make sure that I am kept in loop on every matter pertaining to me and my health, no matter how encouraging or discouraging it is . And get me a phone with a big keypad where I can type easily with one hand," his message read .

"OK, big brother Tang . I shall convey and follow all your instructions precisely . Now, can you please rest for a while . Your eyes are looking strained to me already," Chu said to him .

Tang nodded slightly and shut his eyes . Within minutes, he was asleep and snoring . Chu got up and wiped his mouth clean . She didn't want to do it while he was awake . He had been an introvert, independent man all through his thirty one years . Suddenly, he was going to be dependent upon others for even the smallest of his needs . He will need time to wrap his head around this fact . She sighed and leaned back in her chair .

For a second, when he asked about Jia Li, Chu had become hopeful that he may have reached out to her in the recent past . But he hadn't said anything . Maybe he didn't want Jia Li to know about him in the current state, like how Ethan had said . Under the current circ.u.mstances, though Jia Li was upset with him, she would probably turn up out of pity and maybe that's what brother Tang wanted to avoid . Chu couldn't blame him for thinking like this .

Men often tended to confuse themselves between self-respect and pride!

Had the choice been left upon her, she would rather inform Jia Li than not . If it meant that she would come and help him get better, why not? But after the diktat that her brother had issued, she dare not do it . No matter how rebellious she had been all through her life, she would never go against her brother!