Ariana arrived at the company early in the morning, only to find someone waiting for her. Tyler was squatting at the entrance, looking up at her with a broad smile on his face.

“Arianal!" he exclaimed happily.

Ariana's eyebrows lifted up in surprise as she saw Tyler waiting outside. It was still early, and the air was chilly with a frosty bite. She couldn't help but wonder how long he had been waiting there.

"How long have you been here?" she asked, a tinge of worry in her voice.

Tyler gave her a small, restrained smile.

"Not long," he replied.

Ariana didn't press the matter, but she could see the tell-tale signs of the cold on his ears, which were a bright shade of red. She took his arm and led him across the street to a cozy restaurant.

"Let's have breakfast. I'm starving," she said.

"Okay," Tyler readily agreed, following her obediently as they walked into the warm, inviting eatery.

After finishing their meal, Ariana led Tyler to the meeting room. She left him there and went to the HR department alone to retrieve the contract.

With the document in hand, she retuned to the meeting room and handed it over to Tyler.

Without much thought, Tyler grabbed a pen and was ready to sign the contract. But Ariana stopped him in his tracks, her eyes wide open in disbelief.

"What are you doing? You can't sign without reading it, or you'll get scammed," she warned him.

Tyler looked at her with sincerity, his tone muffled but determined.

"I trust you."

Ariana was taken aback. Her heart skipped a beat as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

“We've only just met, and you're willing to trust me so easily, kid? Remember, the world is a dangerous place, and you can only rely on yourself. If you're still so naive, I can't sign this contract with you. Trust me, things are way more complicated than you think in this industry.”

Tyler cast his gaze downwards, staring at the contract lying on the table. With a heavy heart, he muttered, "I know."

Ariana sighed, seizing the document and commencing to clarify the clauses to him.

"It's a basic level B contract, valid for ten years. As you're a newcomer, that's the best I can offer you. Applying for a higher level is tough, and the chances are slim."