"The expert proclaimed, 'Fungi, indeed, fungi. They may seem innocuous, for their quest is not to kill, but to control. Hallucinogens derive from ergot, a fungus, and psychedelic mushrooms too belong to the fungal realm. Viruses may sicken us, lead us to death, but fungi—they have the power to alter our minds.'

'There exists a fungus known as the 'zombie-ant fungus' that infects ants, infiltrates their brains, and compels them to abandon their nests, ascend to the apex of plants, and then, using its tissue, replaces the ant's flesh. Upon the ant's demise, it releases spores into the air to infect other ants, thus fulfilling its instinctual drive to propagate.'

The host pondered, 'But as far as I'm aware, such fungi do not afflict humans. The fungi that do appear on us usually pose little harm, like fungal dermatitis or athlete's foot. More often than not, fungi serve as decomposers within the natural ecosystem, do they not?'

'Indeed, you are correct,' the expert agreed. 'Most fungi lack lethality, and the zombie-ant fungus does not occur in humans. As long as the human body temperature exceeds 34.4 degrees Celsius, it cannot survive. There's no reason for the fungus to evolve to withstand higher temperatures…'

The expert paused, then slowly continued:

'But what if… circumstances changed?'

'The ancestors of chickens were theropods, yet today, chickens are a common sight in fast-food establishments. The technological explosion of humanity spans merely the last century or so, insignificant when compared to the timescale of species evolution. Thus, from our perspective, the world seems stable.'

'Yet in reality, every species in nature is evolving, constantly adapting to environmental shifts. Suppose… the global temperature rose slightly, giving fungi a reason to evolve, and they've already quietly done so to endure higher temperatures?'

'All it would take is a random genetic mutation, and any fungus could potentially invade our brains, much like the zombie ants infecting their kin. Billions of minds, puppeteered by fungal invasion, would be locked onto a singular goal—to infect… every human being.'

The host inquired, 'So if such an event were to occur…'

'Then the end would be upon us,' the expert declared. 'With no cure, no preventative measures, no antidote, humanity would be defeated.'

The video concluded, automatically transitioning to the next.

Hua Zhen smacked his lips.

The fungus sounded formidable, it a pity he had already been infected by a more potent strain.

A fungus that infects everyone upon reaching adulthood, compelling them to toil like those zombie ants…

Indeed, this fungus is 'work.'

It consumes the prime years of one's life.

Toiling in youth, spending the earnings in old age for survival…

Such a thought is truly disheartening.

As Hua Zhen's mind wandered, a text message suddenly arrived on his phone.

Sent by his girlfriend.

What could it be at this late hour?

He opened it to find a glaring, conspicuous line of text.

'My dear Xiao Zhen, let us part ways.'

'I apologize, for I have fallen for another. I know this may cause you pain, but it is unavoidable. If blame must be assigned, it falls upon you.'

'You spend your days engulfed in dust at the construction site, leaving no time for me. Do you realize how lonely I am, alone in a foreign place? Yes, I acknowledge your toil pays for my college tuition…'

'But setting aside the facts, are you truly blameless?'

'Had you the strength, the family background, any semblance of adequacy, you wouldn't be toiling in the dust. You would have more time to spend with me.'

'But you lack wealth, you lack power.'

'Thus, I feel lonely.'

'Thus, I met the senior.'

'Initially, I didn't know him; it was my classmate who insisted on taking me to the bar.'

'It was supposed to be just us girls, but then the senior and his friends arrived.'

'Since they were there, we all had a bit to drink.'

'And inadvertently, I drank too much.'

'The senior offered to escort me back to the dormitory.'

'I initially refused, but after he helped me into his Mercedes, my head suddenly felt dizzy, drained of strength.'

'He then lost his way, accidentally leading me back to a hotel.'

'And truly, it was just the atmosphere that took over.'

'There's nothing more to say; my heart belongs to the senior now. He has promised to take responsibility, for marrying me after I graduate next year. Our relationship, Xiao Zhen, is over.'

'Yes, I admit I once claimed to be a premarital non-sexual activist, but why didn't you assert yourself? Surely I couldn't have resisted you, right?'

'Compared to you, who speaks of 'pure love' yet remains inactive, the senior—humorous, strong, sporting a head of handsome blond hair—does not conceal his desire for me. Such a man is what I desire.'

'I am now the senior's woman, Xiao Zhen.'"

"Return is no longer an option."

"Yet, I am loath to let the affection of our childhood companionship be in vain."

"Can we still be friends in the future?"

Hua Zhen remained silent for three minutes.

Then, he quietly released the fingers pinching the philtrum.

It seems that years of childhood friendship cannot outweigh a night's capricious encounter.

Her final question about remaining friends, perhaps, was to avoid repaying the tuition fees supported over the years?

Id est, aminos!

But Hua Zhen was composed.

Anger towards such a person is unwarranted.

The seasoned construction workers on the forums have always said:

Business trips, toiling in dust, and betrayal.

These are the inevitable main quests for those in construction.

Looking on the bright side, at least it wasn't a message from the boss!

So, it's a breakup.

I thought it was a call back to overtime!

Hua Zhen lay in bed, staring at the dark ceiling, feeling neither sorrow nor joy.

Though lacking any special talent, Hua Zhen's resolve was firm.

He almost instantly let go of the relationship, decisive, refusing to be a scapegoat.

Yet, he felt a void.

Not the emptiness of lacking a woman's presence, but because he had diligently toiled, and persisted in his job, all for the goal of supporting her through college.

Now that the goal had vanished, the hardships he endured seemed meaningless.

It's like diligently grinding in a game, about to collect the last piece to create the character you've longed for.

Suddenly, the game developers announce they're giving that character to all players for free.

Wouldn't you be infuriated?

Hua Zhen couldn't help but ask himself.

What is life truly about?

To work, clock out, work overtime, until retirement at sixty, living a life with an end in sight?

What's the meaning of such an existence?

At that moment, Hua Zhen's thoughts became clear.

Indeed, with no family to care for, why shouldn't I live more comfortably?

He checked his phone, glancing at his savings.

50,000.

That amount was commendable for a college graduate two and a half years out.

Just a few hundred more years of effort, and he could afford a house in a first-tier city.

He could have saved even more if he had not supported that treacherous childhood friend.

Hua Zhen silently turned off the display of his savings.

Time to sleep, I am having worked through the night for three days straight, with a meeting awaiting him in the morning.

Perhaps just a few more years, then he would quit his job.

Then, he would use his savings to do what he wished, unbound, living a happy life, free from work, bosses, and betrayal…

Hua Zhen felt his heart racing faster, his consciousness sinking.

Finally, his vision faded to grey.