The interrupted visit

It was nearly dinnertime when Audrey Hepburn slowly awoke from her sleep. A delicate fragrance filled the air, making one's mouth water.

This is the result of Henry's own cooking, using his own stove and ingredients: a bowl of egg drop congee. The water is bottled water from Europe, and the rice is Thailand rice; the eggs are local, though I don't know what kind of chicken they are from.

As soon as Henry saw Audrey Hepburn wake up, he brought over a small shelf that could fit on the bed, along with a small bowl of congee. He said, "Boss, can you eat by yourself? Or would you like me to serve you?"

It's that time again.

"Yes, I was just thinking that you haven't been getting used to the local Africa food lately. You either find it too fishy or there are hygiene concerns. So you often barely eat anything during regular meals and end up cooking something special back at the hotel. That's why I'm just making this to save you the trouble of preparing it and making you miss your regular mealtime."

"Hehe, I can do it myself. I'm not a patient." With Henry's help, Audrey Hepburn, who had several pillows propped up behind her, sat up and said resolutely.

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

Looking at the small bowl and saucepan in front of her, Ms. Hepburn didn't start eating immediately, but calmly asked, "What did the doctor say?"

"The doctor said I need to go to a hospital with more advanced equipment for further examination. He can't do a more detailed examination here. He also said that your abdominal pain doesn't seem temporary; the lesion may be deeper. Relying on painkillers alone won't make it get better on its own."

"But I feel great right now. It seems like there won't be any problems with tomorrow's schedule."

"Really? Then, shall we dance a bit of Swan Lake?" Henry asked, tilting his head.

Audrey Hepburn looked embarrassed and said awkwardly, "Child, you're putting me in a difficult position."

"I've already asked the United Nations to arrange a flight. We'll go straight back to Switzerland to get a checkup at a major hospital. I've also informed Robert that we'll be returning to Switzerland."

The reason for returning to Switzerland was that Ms. Hepburn regularly underwent various examinations at the same hospital, which provided her with the most complete medical records.

"Then what about the child we were supposed to see?" the woman persisted, asking Yuan Zi.

Picking up the documents from his briefcase, Henry said, "The unfinished itinerary for today has been addressed according to the backup plan (Plan C) in the visit schedule. We've already sent people to deliver the supplies that were supposed to be distributed."

"And I also explained to them your general health condition, which prevented you from traveling. Regarding your itinerary after tomorrow..."

Plan C will be implemented accordingly. All aid supplies will be sent to their designated destinations.

"The trip will be overseen by United Nations officials, who will also conduct on-site inspections. Once we return to New York, we can compile a report on the entire trip. The only difference from the original plan is that you won't be there."

"Oh dear, hearing this is truly heartbreaking. It makes me feel like I'm completely dispensable," Ms. Hepburn said self-deprecatingly.

Henry said, "How could that be, boss? If it weren't for you, the aid supplies probably wouldn't have arrived at the port by then..."

They'll probably be sold off by the local government and exchanged for other things that can't be used on children, like weapons and ammunition.

"It is precisely because of your oversight, and your careful inquiry into the children's treatment at every stop, that the supplies sent by the United Nations have reached the children instead of being misappropriated. Your usefulness is far greater than we imagine."

"But we still have to leave," Ms. Hepburn said disappointedly.

"Only with a healthy body can you do things better. Otherwise, continuing to be active like this, barely alive, only creates trouble for others and doesn't help many people."

Audrey Hepburn feigned dejection and said, "My child, don't you think I need comforting words more than these hurtful ones?"

"Okay, boss, you're fine, you're in great shape! So you can go along with what they're saying and insist on continuing with the rest of the itinerary, right? Don't be silly."

"They really don't leave any gaps at all." Audrey Hepburn picked up a spoon and slowly ate her congee.

Henry waved his hands and said, "There's nothing I can do. I'm starting to suspect that your health has been ruined because I've done too much for you. That's why you can schedule more trips, visit more places, and end up making yourself even more tired."

"If I don't help and you do everything yourself, won't your workload actually be less, less hectic, and less tiring? So I'm going to slack off now, don't expect me to do everything."

Looking at the young man sitting on the edge of the bed, looking sad and remorseful, Audrey Hepburn wanted to pat his head. Unfortunately, the boy seemed to see through her intention and sat far away, not giving her the chance at all.

So Audrey Hepburn could only say, "My dear, you don't really expect me to shoulder so much work all by myself, do you? I'm a patient, you know."

"Ha, now you admit you're a patient. Since you know you're a patient, then eat something properly; an empty stomach is bad for your stomach. After you go back to Switzerland tomorrow and see the doctor, you'll have a lot of work to do."

"Protest? I'm your employer, your boss!"

"Yes, that's why I'm trying to keep you alive so I can collect my salary for a few more years," Henry said, pursing his lips. "Deadman don't get paid."

Realizing she couldn't argue with the child, Audrey Hepburn simply stopped. But he still had to eat that bowl of congee, because his irregular diet over the past few months was definitely one of the factors affecting his health.

To recover your health as quickly as possible, a regular diet and a regular sleep schedule are essential.

After finishing the small bowl of congee, she felt much stronger. Audrey Hepburn said, "Child, could you get me some more? That wasn't enough."

"Good."

This time, Henry served her less watery porridge and more soft, well-cooked rice and egg. Mrs. Hepburn finished it all without asking for more.

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

"Please invite the person in charge over. I'd like to confirm something with him."

"Okay, please wait a moment." Henry then left with the pots, pans, and other tableware, and then took back the United Nations team leader.

He was an African United States, also very young, not yet forty. A dreamer eager to do more for his hometown.

As soon as he entered, he greeted her, "Ms. Hepburn, how are you feeling?"

"I'm sorry, it seems I'll have to leave the group for a while." When speaking to outsiders, Audrey Hepburn didn't use the slightly coquettish tone she did when speaking to Henry; instead, she clearly stated her situation.

"I've heard what Henry and the doctor have said. Your health is the most important thing, please take good care of yourself."

"Thank you," Ms. Hepburn said with a smile, then asked, "So, are you all prepared for the next steps?"

"Yes," Old Black said, introducing the plans for subsequent changes.

Although he is in charge of the team, the person in front of him is a living advertisement, a United Nations Children's Fund Goodwill Ambassador. When he has to make a decision, it would be ideal if both sides could agree on the same thing.

So when the lady asked, he answered her diligently. Especially the distribution of those supplies; if no one was supervising, who knew where they would end up or in whose pockets? This was the biggest hurdle in the aid operation.

And the night, which belongs to Africa and also to this half of the world, quietly conceals the sky outside the window.