Hmm, they usually acted terrified of him. Yet they dared to make bets using his grading system – half of that fear was fake. Since they had energy for such nonsense, perhaps the workload could be increased and standards raised even higher… These were thoughts that Professor McCarthy didn’t need to voice – Xia Xiaolan interpreted them herself.

The Devil Professor must have studied psychology, knowing exactly how to make people most anxious. After checking other groups’ assignments, he deliberately left the groups of Jonathan and Xia Xiaolan for last.

Professor McCarthy’s intentional discrimination meant he would grade these two groups more strictly. Even the usually confident Heidi was affected, stealing glances at Jonathan.

Jonathan remained expressionless. When Heidi looked at Ning Xue – well, Ning Xue was equally composed. Was she the only one inexplicably nervous? That uncomfortable feeling surfaced again – Ning Xue and Jonathan were eerily similar!

If even Heidi was nervous, Richard’s group needn’t be mentioned, but Xia Xiaolan remained remarkably calm.

Finally, Professor McCarthy finished checking other groups’ assignments. Among seven or eight groups, only half passed, with none achieving an A grade – B+ was the highest. As for grades below C? McCarthy never gave anything lower than C. If you couldn’t earn a C, it meant failing the course. Why bother with a D when failing was failing?

It was Jonathan’s group’s turn.

This time, McCarthy examined their model and asked two questions, mainly directed at Ning Xue. Of course, Ning Xue wasn’t stumped. She showed barely any emotional fluctuation – the ice flower maintaining her direct, matter-of-fact demeanor even when facing the Devil Professor.

When you truly possess knowledge, you needn’t fear questioning.

“…Professor, that’s my complete answer.”

Ning Xue’s response, while not extremely fluent, showed clear confidence. She thoroughly understood the group’s work and even knew about topics beyond the syllabus.

Cornell students didn’t know Ning Xue’s background. She should have shone earlier, but Xia Xiaolan’s mid-term transfer had interrupted her chance to demonstrate her abilities. But how could a true pearl’s radiance be concealed for long?

A genius remains a genius. If mere relocation reduced one to mediocrity, they wouldn’t be a true genius.

Listening to Ning Xue’s answers, Daisy was astonished. “Xia, tell me again, which university in China are you and Ning from?”

What kind of school was it? Daisy had experienced Xia Xiaolan’s capabilities, but Ning Xue was equally formidable. Previously, only Jonathan had managed to withstand Professor McCarthy’s questioning for so long!

“Hua-Tsing University, one of China’s strongest architectural departments. Daisy, I know you’re finally seeing Ning Xue’s abilities – believe me, she’s even more impressive than you imagine.”

How could Professor McCarthy, however strict, surpass Ning Yanfan’s professional level?

While some professors might not keep up with the latest international theories, Ning Yanfan’s years of accumulated practical experience surely outmatched McCarthy’s.

Students who could complete all courses under McCarthy with A+ grades were sought after by top global firms. So how could Ning Xue, who had received years of personal tutoring from Ning Yanfan, not be exceptional?

Professor McCarthy finally nodded approvingly: “You’re worth the tuition spent to study at Cornell, Ning. You may return to your seat.”

A wave of whispers swept through the classroom as heads turned to watch Ning Xue sit down. The Devil Professor had just called her “Ning” and said she was worth her tuition!

The Devil Professor remembered a Chinese exchange student’s name.

“Getting called by name correctly means Professor McCarthy was very satisfied with Ning Xue’s answer. Her group will get an A this time.”

They wondered what grade McCarthy would give their group.

Richard envied this, wondering when the professor would remember his name correctly. Just as this thought arose, McCarthy called out:

“Charlie, you’re next. Let’s see what kind of work warrants an A for your entire group!”

He called Richard’s name but kept his eyes on Xia Xiaolan.

Ever since the exchange student’s arrival, it was as if a small shark had been released into this course, swimming everywhere.

This change seemed positive for now, but this exchange student needed to prove her worth.

“Exchange student, what have you designed? A building?”

“Professor, we positioned ourselves as an architectural firm, designing a commercial plaza for clients, primarily focusing on electronic products. This is the main building…”

As soon as Xia Xiaolan began speaking, others started laughing.

“They pretended to be an architectural firm?”

“Haha, is this role-playing?”

Even Heidi couldn’t help laughing, “Ning, can you imagine any firm hiring Richard and his two friends?”

Professor McCarthy frowned, “Silence! What’s so funny about this? The law school has mock trials – why can’t the architecture department simulate a firm?”

The Devil Professor’s wrath instantly quieted all discussion.

Ning Xue thought that herself, these mockers had no idea that Xia Xiaolan had already designed hotel renovation plans in China and led the planning of a residential community. These students thought working at a firm was unreachable, but if they provoked Xia Xiaolan enough, she might just start her firm…

As they say, your enemies often understand you better than your friends.

Ning Xue, as a competitor, understood Xia Xiaolan very well.

Though Xia Xiaolan appeared embarrassed by the laughter, what was so funny? Couldn’t she just open her firm and hire Richard’s group if she wanted?

McCarthy brought the topic back: “Continue. Your client commissioned you to design a commercial plaza focusing on electronic products. What was your thinking?”

McCarthy’s response surprised Xia Xiaolan. The Devil Professor was never gentle – his characteristic hooked nose gave his face an aggressive look, and he could pour out torrents of costly sarcasm at specific times, enough to make any top student want to jump off a building in shame.

But now, Professor McCarthy didn’t mock Xia Xiaolan’s supposedly childish ideas, instead gesturing for her to continue.

Xia Xiaolan took a moment to recover.

Of course, why should the Devil Professor be surprised? Students who successfully earned good grades from him, armed with a Cornell architecture degree, would surely find decent work. Joining an architectural firm was perfectly normal!

“Our concept, based on client requirements and considering costs and land area, was to design this commercial plaza as a comprehensive complex combining electronic products with leisure shopping, dining, and accommodation. This is just the main building – we also have auxiliary shopping areas. Modern urban residents live at an increasingly fast pace. While they can concentrate on comparing and selecting electronic products, wouldn’t they want to find a restaurant afterward? They might also shop for other items…”

Building requires an architect’s mindset.

For a shopping mall, Xia Xiaolan’s shrewd mind aimed to maximize profits!

McCarthy studied the hexagonal prismatic main building with its staggered layout, silently picking up the accompanying documentation.

Well, the data was quite detailed.

Even more thorough than his usual requirements, as if a client was waiting for Xia Xiaolan’s group’s design…