Dear Professor Smith,
How is your research coming along? I am looking forward to seeing the results after they are published.
I regret to inform you that l will be unable to attend our scheduled meeting next week．My father has just been admitted to hospital with late-stage cancer，and I do not want to leave his bedside during this unfortunate time．I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope we can arrange to meet at a later date when my personal circumstances permit me to travel．In the meantime，I am available to talk over the telephone if you would prefer．
Please accept my sincerest apologies once again．
Kind regards，
Li Ming
