CN-TST 2023 Problem 24

Let $n$ be a positive integer. Initially, a $2n \times 2n$ grid has $k$ black cells and the rest white cells. The following two operations are allowed : (1) If a $2\times 2$ square has exactly three black cells, the fourth is changed to a black cell; (2) If there are exactly two black cells in a $2 \times 2$ square, the black cells are changed to white and white to black. Find the smallest positive integer $k$ such that for any configuration of the $2n \times 2n$ grid with $k$ black cells, all cells can be black after a finite number of operations.