Too little info to tell for the specific case, but I heard many such stories, not just from east Asia. In general, gifts are complex. In some cultures you must

Too little info to tell for the specific case, but I heard many such stories, not just from east Asia. In general, gifts are complex. In some cultures you must refuse it some specific number of times, not to look greedy. But then you have to accept it, because getting help/gift is a bit submissive and results in gratefulness, and however little, the feeling of owing them back, which can create social ties.