Familiar yet strange

Upstairs, on Taobao Mall, she made a phone call to him. He temporarily stopped the meeting, went to the office to pick up the keys, then took the elevator downstairs. She had forgotten to bring the house keys. During that time, on the homepage of Taobao's women's fashion section, a question arose in their relationship without any clear reason. If one were to look for a cause, it would be that they had been married for over ten years.

Living under the same roof for ten years, sleeping in the same bed, eating from the same pot, watching the same TV programs - encountering problems is normal. For ten years, he had been busy with his so-called career, or perhaps, with providing for the family's stable life. She had been a housewife for ten years, taking care of the children, cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry - just like any other housewife's life, but unlike others, she never complained.

Without complaints, there was no quarrel in life, and the days flowed by like a wide river, steady and swift.

On the opposite side of the road, at the bus stop, she stood there. The sunlight was dazzling, and she held an umbrella for shade. Bicycles, buses, cars - all rapidly formed a flowing barrier. Standing across the street, separated by the traffic, he suddenly felt as if his hardened heart had been pricked by a needle. After the pain, there was calmness. He suddenly realized that the person waiting for him on the other side was the girl he once loved dearly. Ten years later, her beautiful appearance was almost his entire dream.

He forgot that on the day they decided to enter the marriage hall, it was also a sunny afternoon, and she also held an umbrella for shade. At that time, the youthful glow still lingered on her, and he, gesturing to the vehicles to stop, quickly crossed the road. At the edge of the bus station, he lifted her up and spun her around. Both of them were happy like children about to do something wonderful.

But now, he said he was older, though he knew he was just tired.

She also saw him. In the past, when they loved each other, upon seeing such a scene, she would have excitedly waved to him, then hurried back at his scolding, anxiously spinning in circles until he finally reached her.

But now, she made no move. Everyone around walked slowly, except her, who stood rigidly by the roadside, letting the wind blow her skirt. That posture clearly informed others that she was waiting for someone.

When he realized she was waiting for him, long-suppressed tenderness welled up inside him. Everything around seemed blurred. The familiar bus stop seemed transformed into a different platform, and she no longer seemed like just a housewife waiting for keys, but rather a lover coming to a rendezvous.

Amidst a series of honking horns, he ran quickly towards her.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Be careful!" she scolded.

"How did you lock the keys outside?" he asked, slightly blaming her.

She handed over the keys without a word.

"Be careful on your way back." He advised.

"Alright. You go to work." After saying this, he prepared to board the arriving bus.

He held her, embracing her briefly.

Back in the office, he made a decision - to take her to see the sea.