Du Heng didn't linger on it; he promptly signed Ma Zichen's internship form, giving him a very high score and genuinely excellent comments.
Ma Zichen beamed as he read it and thanked Du Heng again, "Du, are you free tonight? My dad would like to invite you to dinner."
TSK TSK, listen to that.
Du Heng wasn't petty, but Ma Zichen suggesting dinner right when he walked in, versus after Du Heng had signed the internship form, gave a very different impression.
"Not recently, I'm afraid. We have many inpatients. Doctor Li and I are the only doctors here at the hospital right now, and we also have night shifts. We can't get away. Once things quiet down a bit on my end, I'll treat your dad to a meal. I haven't even had the chance to thank him for signing my recommendation letter."
"Then it's settled, Du! I'll be waiting for your call."
"Heh heh, don't worry. I still owe you a meal."
"In that case, you owe me two meals!"
