Usually, only one interpreter and one female student are needed; the interpreter handles communication with the hospital, and the student provides companionship. However, the delegation had only one interpreter, and one was even more necessary for the trip to Washington. Secretary Tang couldn't help but feel indignant toward the three people who had forced their way in; if they hadn't taken up the interpreter’s spot, things wouldn't be so difficult today.
After Secretary Tang raised the issue, everyone discussed it and ultimately concluded that since Wu Hua had a high level of English proficiency and could communicate with the hospital without barriers—and was also a long-time neighbor of Song Xinmei, with their fathers being colleagues—he was the most suitable person to look after her.
Deputy Department Director Yao and his daughter, Yao Hui, had just arrived from Washington and had planned to spend a few days touring New Jersey and New York. They volunteered to skip the Washington trip and stay behind to assist Wu Hua in caring for Song Xinmei. His daughter had already been in America for four years, so she had no issues with the language at all.
Chapter 39