Chapter 176: Wakanda's Representative to the United Nations

Back in New York, Lady He Ben had Henry contact UNICEF to prepare for resuming visits and aid work in countries around the world.

As the all-purpose assistant, Henry, suit crisp and briefcase in hand, followed behind Lady He Ben. Led by UNICEF staff, they were heading to meet the representatives from Wakanda.

In a short while, they arrived at a small conference room. Seeing a lady enter, all of Wakanda's representatives politely rose to greet her.

The UN staff introduced both sides simultaneously: "Representative Jabari, this is Lady He Ben. Lady, this is Mr. Jabari, Wakanda's representative to the United Nations."

They shook hands politely and exchanged pleasantries: "Lady, it is a great honor to meet you. On behalf of His Majesty King T'Chaka, I offer you my greetings."

"Representative Jabari, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please convey my respects to your king."

"Please, sit."

"Thank you."

Once everyone was seated, Lady He Ben got straight to the point: "Representative Jabari, I would like to ask about the application for a visit to your country submitted earlier; has your nation provided a response yet?"

"I apologize, Lady. The King's position is that it is inconvenient to accept your visit. Our domestic facilities are rudimentary and unable to host United Nations officials and a distinguished guest such as yourself."

"Is it not precisely because of this that we need to go and see what areas in your country require assistance?" Lady He Ben did not give up easily and continued to persuade.

The Wakandan representative, neither annoyed nor angry, smiled and replied: "Lady, I hope you are not equating poverty with the need for assistance. I do not deny that by Western standards, Wakanda is a poor, backward agricultural nation.

"With a per capita GDP of less than one hundred dollars, it is impossible for everyone to own a Chanel or LV bag. But this does not mean we necessarily need international aid. The African continent, as a mother, nourishes all the people living upon it.

"Those nations suffering from famine actually do not lack food sources; they suffer due to the ravages of war. I can say with pride that Wakanda has protected its people well, keeping them far from the horrors of war.

"Wakanda's children are not only fed; in terms of medicine, perhaps we cannot afford Johnson & Johnson or Novartis drugs, but we have our own medical technology. As for education, every year we are able to send qualified students to study in Britain, America, and other nations.

"So I believe that the so-called poverty of Wakanda is merely poverty in the eyes of the Western world. But we consider our lives abundant and do not need assistance from other nations, or even the United Nations.

"Please, Lady, direct your limited resources to those who need them more. Whether in Asia or the Americas, there are also children suffering from hunger. They deserve your care even more."

Lady He Ben crossed her arms and said: "I am very sorry. If my words have offended you, please accept my apologies. Perhaps, as you say, I should focus on those who need help more.

"It is just a pity that I cannot see the situation in Wakanda with my own eyes, nor personally offer my greetings to your king. I hope we will have the opportunity to visit your country in the future."

"I hope that will happen." Representative Jabari smiled, showing a row of white teeth that contrasted sharply with his skin tone.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they rose to take their leave. Lady He Ben rarely visited the United Nations, and she had many appointments to attend to.

On the way to the next location, the Lady asked Henry, who was following behind her: "Child, do you think everything that ambassador said was true? Could it be like North Korea, where the country is in a mess internally, yet everyone is forced to sing its praises?"

Despite the two golden brands of the United Nations and Lady He Ben, there are places in this world where they still hit a wall.

However, regarding that land of North Korea, even UNICEF staff do not recommend going there. The Lady did not have an attitude of insisting on going regardless.

Regarding today's question, Henry thought for a moment and said: "Perhaps they truly do not need assistance. Unlike North Korea, where they just puff up their cheeks to appear fat."

"Why do you think that?"

Henry said: "It is the feeling given by their attitude. They are not like people from an autocratic country, where every word and action must maintain an air of superiority, fearing being looked down upon.

"They are not afraid to use words that mock their own country, even though this is an informal and non-public setting. But to dare speak like that, either they have the qualification to do so, or what they say is the truth.

"Whichever it is, it represents that they come from a place where one does not get into trouble for speaking out of turn. So even though his words were somewhat out of line, unlike a qualified diplomatic envoy.

"But considering he was communicating with you, the boss, in a closed-door setting, it is not so unexpected. Even..."

"Even what?" Lady He Ben asked.

"Even from their words, one can feel a sense of condescending contempt, criticizing the values of the Western world in their mouths. I am also a bit confused as to where such an attitude comes from."

Lady He Ben pondered carefully; the previous conversation did indeed have that feeling.

This was different from frequently visiting some backward countries, where officials in some nations like to put on an air of being fierce on the outside but weak on the inside. This United Nations representative from Wakanda truly possessed a strange confidence that made one involuntarily believe his words.

"So, are we really not going?" Lady He Ben asked.

"If you want my advice, then do not go. Since the other party feels they do not need help, if we insist on forcing ourselves on them, it will only please neither side. UN staff make things complicated, and the people of Wakanda would be unhappy." Henry spoke the plain truth.

"Then do you think there are other suitable locations? I recall from the report you organized for me earlier, that Central and South America seem to have gone quite some time without a visit."

Henry spoke with reservation: "Boss, regarding this part, let us discuss it after we arrive at UNICEF. Let us see if the working group has organized any data and propose other suggestions."

"Hmm, that works too." Just as the words were spoken, Lady He Ben suddenly stopped in her tracks. She bent slightly, leaning against the wall to stand.

Henry hurried forward and asked: "Boss, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. It was just a sudden abdominal cramp a moment ago, but it's gone now." Lady He Ben straightened up and was about to continue walking.

Standing nearby, Henry, unsure whether he should offer support, said helplessly: "Actually, I feel you haven't been resting enough during this period. It seems some illnesses accumulated in the past have all come out during this break.

"How about we rest for a while longer. Although you hold the title of Goodwill Ambassador, as long as we don't make requests, the UNICEF staff are happy to take it easy. Unlike you, who now treat this work as a full-time job, running around every day."

"What a lot of nonsense." The Lady pouted and complained.

(End of Chapter)