Chapter 246: Advice From The Mentor
Selina coughed out loud as she heard the answer. She immediately covered her mouth with a napkin. Her ears were already burning red as she avoided looking at her grandfather.
"L-Lily..." she whispered, slightly embarrassed.
Gray pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Lily, eat your food." His tone was calm, but his eyes warned her a little.
But Lily wasn’t scared. Instead, her grin only widened. It was as if she were even proud of herself.
"What, brother? I’m just telling the truth! Sister Selina is always with us. She even ate breakfast with us yesterday!"
Conrad’s eyebrows lifted. His lips curved into a knowing smile as he leaned back on his chair, tapping the table lightly with his finger.
"Is that so, Lily?" His eyes flew from Lily to Selina, then finally to Gray. "Always together, hmmm?"
Selina’s cheeks became even redder. She grabbed her glass of water and took a quick sip, as if it could cool her down. Her heart was thumping wildly inside her chest.
"Grandpa..." she muttered softly.
Gray, on the other hand, stayed composed on the outside, but inside, it was another story. His heart was beating heavily, and his thoughts were running wild.
’This old man... he’s testing me again.’ He could feel the weight of Conrad’s eyes staring at him.
Lily, unaware of the chaos she had started, continued to talk.
"And Sister Selina sometimes even helps me with my homework! She’s really smart, Grandpa! I like it when she’s with us. Brother also likes it—"
"Lily!" Gray quickly cut her off, afraid of the words she was about to say.
That finally made her stop.
"Fine, brother..." She pouted and went back to her food, though her mischievous eyes still sparkled.
Selina let out a small sigh of relief. When she glanced at Gray, her eyes met his. For a moment, everything else around them faded.
The sound of plates, the smell of food, and even Conrad’s presence became all blurred.
Her gaze lingered on him, and so did his.
Of course, Conrad noticed it. He didn’t miss even a sight of their silent exchange. He may be old with his eyesight slowly blurring. However, when it comes to this? His eyesight was easily 20/20.
Slowly, he leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
’Good... that’s the look I wanted to see,’ he thought.
"Well then, I suppose it’s a good thing that neighbors are looking after each other. Especially when family becomes like this." Breaking the silence, Conrad cleared his throat. He said those words with seriousness, but it was obvious that there was an intention behind them.
"Grandpa..." Selina lowered her gaze, her hands gripping the napkin in her lap. Her heart was racing, but she couldn’t deny the warmth rising inside her chest.
’Family...’ The word made her throat tighten a little.
Gray stayed quiet, but his jaw eased. For once, he didn’t argue. Instead, he glanced at Selina again. He watched the was her lips curved into a small smile, her blush refusing to leave her cheeks.
And Lily? She couldn’t help herself. She giggled softly, as if she were the only one who truly understood what was happening at the table.
The rest of the meal continued with small chatter here and there. Conrad occasionally asked about Lily’s school, and she answered with excitement, swinging her legs beneath the chair as she stuffed food into her mouth.
For Conrad, it was rare for him to meet young kids. It reminded him of the times where Selina was still little. His heart couldn’t help but warm at that.
From time to time, Selina and Gray would join the conversation. But then, they will just get more teasing from the two. It was like Conrad and Lily suddenly teamed up against them!
Still, the lunch was impeccable.
The food was good. Selina’s nanny had really outdone herself. The short ribs were tasty, and the soup was warm and filled with flavor. The salad was also fresh and tangy.
When lunch finally came to an end, the dishes in the middle of the table were almost empty. It seemed like every one of them had a good appetite. Eating together with your closest people really makes your appetite better.
"Lily, would you like to see my room? Maybe a little tour of the place?" As Selina placed her utensils down. She turned toward Lily, her lips curving into a gentle smile.
"Yes! Yes, Sister Selina! I want to see!" Lily’s eyes lit up instantly at the question.
Selina chuckled softly, pushing back her chair.
"Alright then. Come, I’ll show you."
But before she stood, she glanced at Gray. It was brief, but clear. Her eyes carried that look. It was the silent signal of what she had promised earlier.
"This is your time." She mouthed to him.
Gray understood it right away. He didn’t even need words. He gave a small nod in response.
"Come, Lily."
"Yes, Sister!"
Selina stood up with Lily. She held her hand as the little girl practically bounced with excitement a the thought of going inside her room.
"We’ll excuse ourselves first, Grandpa." Selina smiled at Conrad. Afterward, they started walking out of the dining area. They disappeared toward the hallway, their voices already echoing faintly as Lily asked her some question.
And then, silence.
The condo’s dining area became different without the two of them. Still, Gray sat upright, staring at the table for a moment before finally lifting his gaze toward Conrad.
"What do you need, Gray?" Conrad raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. His eyes sharpened, the warmth from earlier disappearing into the void.
Conrad was no fool. The moment Selina asked that question of Lily, he knew that something was up with them.
"I need your help," Gray said quietly.
"Help?" he repeated. Conrad suddenly became interested in what Gray was about to say.
"Yes. It’s about work." Gray nodded once. He exhaled slowly, though his heart was already beating loudly in his chest.
"It’s about the construction of the grocery store," Gray leaned back slightly, his hands resting on the edge of the table.
"Construction?" Conrad’s brow furrowed, his sharp eyes narrowing.
"Yes." Gray nodded. He hesitated for a second, choosing his words carefully.
"I’m not asking an advice as my business partner. Not even as an investor. I just... need guidance. Advice from someone I know who can help me."
Conrad tapped the table slowly with his fingers.
"Advice," he repeated. "That’s all?"
Gray inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "Yes. As a friend," he said, then paused to quickly correct himself.
"No, not just as a friend. More importantly, as a mentor. I don’t have the kind of background you have. You’ve built empires, while I’m still putting my foundations together. If I can avoid costly mistakes before they happen, then I will do it."
For a moment, Conrad simply stared at him. His silence was heavy, almost suffocating. However, Gray accepted it and didn’t look away. He kept his back straight and his voice steady.
He wanted Conrad to see that this wasn’t weakness. It was honesty.
Finally, the old man leaned back, a low chuckle escaping his lips.
"Hah... you’re more honest than most men I’ve worked with. They always come to me with flowery words and hidden motives. But you? You sit here with nothing but your pride laid bare. Asking for help not as an equal, but as a student."
Gray stayed silent as he talked.
"Alright then. If it’s advice you want, I’ll give it. Tell me, what stage are you in?" Conrad nodded to himself, his expression softening just slightly.
Gray explained slowly. He spoke of his plans, the talks he’d been having with contractors, the proposals laid out in front of him. Some were too expensive, others promised the world that seemed too good to be true.
"I know what looks flashy, and I know what’s cheap. But I can’t yet tell which is good one."
Conrad listened intently, nodding every so often. His sharp gaze never faltered, as if he was dissecting every word that came out of Gray’s mouth.
When Gray finished, the old man folded his hands together on the table.
"First thing," Conrad said, "never choose a contractor who sells himself too cheap. If a man shouts he’s the cheapest, it’s because he has nothing else to show. He’ll cut corners, use weak steel, cheap cement, and by the time the cracks show in the store, he’ll be gone with your money."
Gray thought back to the man he’d met days ago—the one who laughed about being "dirt cheap." His jaw tightened unconsciously.
"Second," Conrad continued, "reputation matters. But not just the reputation written on the web. Talk to people they’ve worked with. Not the big names, but the small ones."
Gray nodded slowly, each word sinking into him.
"And lastly," Conrad said, leaning closer, "don’t get carried away with trying to make it grand. A building that works will always outlast a building that only looks pretty. Remember that."
Gray sat with those words, repeating them in his head.
"I gave you something in the past, didn’t I?" Conrad leaned back.
Gray looked at him, confused for a moment. Then it clicked for him.
"Use that. You’ll know when." Conrad’s lips curved faintly