Lu Geng rose briskly.
"Everyone who answered the questions just now, including those who gave well-reasoned objections, totals twenty-eight people. Add Yu Banmeng and Cha Xinran, and that makes thirty. You'll form a research team, with you as the group leader. Start a group chat after class, then meet at the Old Laboratory at seven tonight. I'll assign you some work!" Song He said.
"Understood!" Lu Geng replied at once, then looked troubled. "Teacher, I can't remember who they were."
"It's fine. I remember their names. Have them find you and join the group after class. I'll check the members, and kick out anyone who shouldn't be there." Song He gave his instructions.
The classroom erupted in a commotion. Those who hadn't been selected were dejected, while those who had been chosen screamed excitedly.
Some were unsure whether they had been selected. One of the girls who had stood up earlier to work out the answer on the spot nervously raised her hand. When Song He nodded, she stood and asked embarrassedly, "Dean, am I one of the thirty?"
"You are!" Song He said with a smile.
Several students whispered in an uproar:
"That works too?"
"Huh? If I'd known, I would've raised my hand and tried to answer too!"
"Wasn't there supposed to be a punishment? How did it turn into a reward?"
Song He raised his hand, suppressing the commotion. "Wei Liqun once told me a little story. I'll tell it to all of you."
"When Wei Liqun was young and hiring people for his startup, he met a clever young man. His written test and interview were both decent. In the end, Wei Liqun asked him a crucial question: 'The company just ordered such-and-such equipment and such-and-such industrial software. Do you know how to use them?' The