This is a question with answer options. Goal: How much thermal paste should be applied on a CPU before installing the CPU fan?

Which of the following methods is more reasonable for accomplishing this goal?

Pick from: i. You should do an X on the CPU with as much thermal paste as will fit, to make sure once the fan is installed, paste leaks onto the motherboard.. ii. You should put an amount of thermal paste similar in size to a green pea, directly at the center of the CPU.....I think the answer is
ii.