Miranda curled her lips slightly, and I ignored her.
She continued talking, "Elise is really unreasonable. The kindergarten offers a free dinner, but she refuses to eat it, insisting on having chicken nuggets that costs tens of dollars after school. What a waste of money!"
I offered a faint smile, choosing not to interfere.
She continued, grinding her teeth, "I was so angry I scolded her. She cried and promised that she would eat plenty of the free meals at kindergarten."
With a self-satisfied air, she said, "That's the right attitude!"
I scoffed inwardly. Miranda treated raising children like an investment focused on cost-effectiveness, always suppressing Elise's true needs. A child growing up this way would surely become sensitive and insecure.
My relationship with Miranda gradually grew distant. I began to deliberately avoid her. We transitioned from being close friends to just ordinary neighbors.
Vivian's personality was vastly different from her previous life.
She was lively and cheerful with delicate skin. I regularly took her for grooming. She never suffered from the appearance anxiety that other teenagers did.
She always stood out in a crowd, exuding confidence and optimism.
I also had a sweet dilemma—to watch over Vivian and prevent her from falling into early romance.
Vivian was just too adorable.
In contrast to Vivian, Elise next door had dull skin, and her once bright eyes had lost their luster.
Her eye sockets were sunken as if she were seriously ill, but Miranda seemed oblivious.
Time rolled around to Vivian's coming-of-age ceremony once again.
I made a special call to a renowned designer, who tailored a gorgeous dress for Vivian, taking a month to create it.
Vivian was ecstatic.
"Our teacher said that the school will host a unified coming-of-age ceremony for us, like a campus party."
She was full of anticipation.
I went out to take out the trash and caught Miranda eavesdropping.
She coughed awkwardly and said, "I was just passing by. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."
She had been pressing against my door with her bottom sticking out, yet she still claimed she wasn't eavesdropping.
I didn't want to say a word to her, but she clutched my arm.
"Elise also said that the school is holding a large coming-of-age ceremony, and that you spent a fortune on a particularly beautiful dress for Vivian."