Chapter 1: The Workplace "Gu" Battle—The Tenacity of a College Graduate Warrior

In a towering office building amidst the bustling city, there was a design company named “KunKun Creative,” a place where all sorts of extraordinary talents gathered, daily enacting the dramas of workplace joys and sorrows.

On this particular day, as the clock neared the end of work hours, the design department was shrouded in an atmosphere thick with tension, resembling a battlefield. The department manager, known as the Mushroom Boss, wore a scowl as he paced back and forth in the corridor clutching a stack of design requirement files. He kept shouting, “Is it really that hard to render a single image by working overtime? The client’s been blowing up my phone! They need it first thing tomorrow morning. Can you get it done or not?” The entire department fell into a heavy silence; everyone kept their heads down, feigning focus on their computer screens but secretly grumbling in their hearts.

Just as the tension reached a breaking point, a voice cut through the stillness: “It’s simple. I’ll do the rendering.” All eyes turned to see Zhou Dan slowly rise from his seat. Usually unobtrusive within the department, none expected him to step forward now. In an instant, the restrained aura around him surged like a rising tide; it was the legendary peak mastery of a technical college graduate! The design department fell silent once more, every eye wide with astonishment.

A faint smirk curved Zhou Dan’s lips, a touch of rebellious spirit gleaming in his eyes. He raised his hand, and three peculiar gu insects shot forth with a whistle. The first, the Labor Gu, emanated a ghostly blue glow, accompanied by the faint sound of distant, deep labor chants wherever it passed. The second, the Ox Horse Gu, was agile and robust, seemingly infused with endless endurance. The third, the Clever Gu, small and nimble, chirped lively, radiating sharp wit. Throwing his head back, Zhou Dan laughed heartily, “I am the peak of technical college mastery! Who dares to challenge me? Who can challenge me? Ha ha ha ha!” Then he recited loudly: “In the office tower, cold winds blow; on the rendering post, gods and immortals return. Endless shifts drive thousands away; thirty hundred in salary, tears fall in vain. Today at my keyboard’s station, rendering machines, rendering shells, even rendering the sky! Fate destined me to be ox and horse; I regret nothing, unlike those with bachelor’s degrees!” The bold spirit in his voice seemed to vent all the frustrations of the workplace in one breath.

Deep into the night, most of the company had fallen into darkness, but the design department remained brightly lit. Zhou Dan firmly held his position, eyes fixed on the computer screen, fingers dancing swiftly over keyboard and mouse. The three gu insects assisted him, occasionally flickering with light as they optimized the rendering effects.

Yet, the prolonged intense labor began to take its toll on his body. Suddenly, his brow furrowed as a sharp pang of hunger gnawed at his stomach. His eyes flicked to the corner where packets of Wang Wang Snow Cakes and Wangzai Milk sat. With quick hands, he formed seals, instantly refining the energy from the food, transforming it into strength to continue the fight. He exhaled deeply, murmuring, “Ha, laughable. It’s just a little night shift.”

Meanwhile, in another corner of the company, Chuan Shen—the technical backbone of the firm—and Bao Bi Ge—the affable peacemaker known for smoothing things over with management and shielding colleagues from blame—watched Zhou Dan through the glass wall. Chuan Shen shook his head slightly, sighing, “Zhou Dan has drive, no doubt, but this rendering task is tough. If he carries it alone, he’s bound to suffer.”

Bao Bi Ge patted Chuan Shen’s shoulder, worry etched on his face. “Should we go help him? Though he took this job on himself, we’re all colleagues after all.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chuan Shen nodded. “Alright, let’s go check on him.”

Approaching Zhou Dan’s workstation, they saw the complex rendering parameters glowing on the screen and the busy gu insects flitting about. Chuan Shen couldn’t help but exclaim, “Zhou Dan, you’ve really brought out the big guns. But the client’s demands are sky-high. Can you handle this alone?”

Without looking up, Zhou Dan replied gruffly, “Don’t worry. If I dared to take it, I’m confident I can deliver.”

Bao Bi Ge quickly handed him a freshly brewed cup of coffee with a smile. “Brother, have a sip first, get some energy. Let’s work it out together—maybe we can help.”

Only then did Zhou Dan pause, accept the coffee, a flicker of gratitude shining in his eyes. “Alright, thanks.”

Just as the three prepared to unite their efforts and tackle the challenge, the Mushroom Boss appeared silently behind them. Standing there, watching the busy trio, his expression was inscrutable...