Chapter 178: Interrupted Visit

Near dinner time, Lady He Ben finally woke slowly from her sleep. A fragrant aroma made one's mouth water.

This was the result of Henry using his own portable stove and ingredients to cook a small meal: a bowl of egg-drop congee. The water was European bottled water, the rice was Thai fragrant rice; the eggs were local, though it was unknown what kind of chicken they came from.

Seeing Lady He Ben wake, Henry brought over a small tray that could be placed on the bed, scooped a small bowl of congee, and carried it over. He said, "Boss, are you able to eat by yourself? Or would you like me to serve you?"

"It's that time again."

"Yes, I figured you haven't been used to the local African cuisine lately, finding it either too gamey or worrying about hygiene. So often you barely take a few bites at main meal times, then return to the hotel to cook a small meal. So I just made this directly, saving the trouble and not missing the main meal time."

"Hehe, I'll do it myself. I'm not a patient." With Henry's help, Lady He Ben, with several extra pillows propped behind her back, sat up, speaking firmly.

Henry shook his head and said, "No, the doctor said you are."

Looking at the small bowl and spoon before her, Lady He Ben did not immediately act, but asked calmly, "What did the doctor say?"

"The doctor said we must go to a hospital with more advanced equipment for an examination. Here, he cannot perform more detailed checks. Moreover, he said your abdominal pain does not appear to be temporary; the lesion might be deeper. Relying solely on painkillers to suppress it, the illness will not cure itself."

"But I feel very good right now. Tomorrow's schedule seems fine."

"Really? Then, stand up and dance a bit of Swan Lake?" Henry asked, tilting his head.

Lady He Ben looked embarrassed and said awkwardly, "Child, you are putting me in a difficult position."

"I have already asked the United Nations people to contact a plane. We will return directly to Switzerland to get checked at a large hospital. I have also notified Robert; we will return to Switzerland."

The reason for returning to Switzerland was that Lady He Ben regularly underwent various examinations at the same hospital, possessing the most complete medical records.

"Then what about the children we are scheduled to meet?" The lady did not give up, asking on her own.

Picking up the documents from the briefcase beside him, Henry said, "For today's unfinished schedule, according to Backup Plan C in the visitation plan, personnel have been sent to deliver the materials scheduled for distribution."

"And we have also explained to the other party your general physical condition and that you cannot proceed. The schedule after tomorrow will also be implemented according to Plan C. All aid supplies will be distributed to the designated destinations."

"And they will be supervised by United Nations personnel, who will also conduct field inspections. After returning to New York, everything will be compiled; a report on this visitation trip can still be organized. The only difference from the original plan is that you won't be there."

"Oh my, hearing that truly makes one feel sad and upset. It feels as though I am dispensable." Lady He Ben said self-mockingly.

Henry said, "How could that be, Boss? If it weren't for you, the aid supplies would likely be sold directly by the local government upon reaching the port, exchanged for other things that cannot be used for the children, such as weapons and ammunition."

"Precisely because you supervise, asking seriously about the children's treatment at every stop, the supplies sent by the United Nations can reach the children. Instead of being misappropriated. Your usefulness is far more important than imagined."

"But we still have to leave." Lady He Ben said disappointedly.

"Only with a healthy body can one do things better. Otherwise, continuing activities in a half-dead state like yours only creates trouble for others and helps very few people."

Lady He Ben pretended to be dejected and said, "Child, don't you think the current me needs comfort more than these heart-stabbing words?"

"Then, Boss, you have no problem, your body is super strong! Then you can follow the implication and insist on continuing the upcoming schedule. Stop joking."

"Leaving absolutely no room at all." Lady He Ben picked up the spoon and ate the congee slowly and deliberately.

Henry spread his hands and said, "I can't help it. I'm starting to suspect that your body was ruined because I did too much for you. Allowing you to arrange more schedules, visit more places, and make yourself even more exhausted."

"If I didn't help and you did everything yourself, would the work be arranged less, not so dense, and thus not so tiring? So now I'm going to slack off; don't expect me to do everything."

Looking at the big boy sitting by the bed, wearing a look of sadness and self-blame, Lady He Ben wanted to reach out and rub his head. Unfortunately, the boy seemed to see through such an intention, sitting far away, giving not a single chance.

So Lady He Ben could only say, "Good child, you wouldn't really want me to shoulder so much work alone, would you? I am a patient, you know."

"Heh, now you admit you're a patient again. Since you know you're a patient, then obediently eat something; an empty stomach hurts the stomach. Wait until we return to Switzerland tomorrow and see the doctor, you still have a lot of work to busy yourself with."

"Protest! I am your employer, your boss, right?"

"Yes, so I am just trying to save your little life so I can collect a salary for a few more years." Henry pouted and muttered, "Dead people don't pay salaries."

Realizing she couldn't win an argument with this child, Lady He Ben simply stopped speaking. But she still had to finish that bowl of congee, because her irregular diet over this period was definitely one of the factors affecting her health.

To recover health as quickly as possible, regular meals and a regular schedule are indispensable.

After finishing the small bowl of congee and feeling her body regain quite a bit of strength, Lady He Ben said, "Child, add a little more for me. What I just had wasn't enough."

"Okay."

This time, the congee Henry served had less watery broth and more soft, well-cooked rice grains and egg drops. Lady He Ben finished it as well, without asking for more.

After tidying up, Henry asked, "Do you want to see the others? Or rest?"

"Please ask the person in charge to come over. I want to confirm some matters with him."

"Alright, please wait." Henry then left with the pots, bowls, and other utensils, and returned with the United Nations team leader.

He was an African American, also very young, under forty. A dreamer eager to do a little more for his homeland.

As soon as he entered the room, he greeted, "Lady He Ben, how is your health?"

"I am very sorry, but it seems I must temporarily leave the team." When facing outsiders, Lady He Ben did not speak with the slight coquettishness she used with Henry, but clearly stated her condition.

"I have already heard the explanations from Henry and the doctor. Your health comes first; please take good care of yourself."

"Thank you." Lady He Ben said with a smile, and asked again, "Then for the upcoming arrangements, are you all prepared?"

"Yes." The old black man spoke about the subsequent changed plans.

Although he was the team leader, the person before him was a living billboard, the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF. When he made decisions, it was ideal for both sides to have a unified voice.

So when the lady asked, he naturally answered diligently. Especially regarding the distribution of supplies; if no one supervised, who knew where they would end up or whose pockets they would enter. This was the greatest difficulty in aid operations.

And the night belonging to Africa, and also belonging to this half of the world, quietly covered the sky outside the window.

(End of Chapter)