I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Returning to Liverpool again, Pei Xiang saw not only George Rexha standing tall, but also Rhett Butler with wanton eyebrows on the pier where people were coming and going.

Edward stepped forward, introduced each other to the Hamilton brothers and sisters and Captain Butler, and then talked about the travel experience.

Pei Xiang saw that Melanie was being taken care of by Edward, and that Charles also had a conversation with Butler, so he took Rexxar's arm and told him how much he missed after parting.

The two made their relationship a month ago, and they could see each other every day. At that time, they didn't think it was special or rare to get along day and night, but after a small parting, those harmonious and intimate times were especially memorable.It can be seen that time and space not only did not melt away the tenderness, but instead made people more addicted.

When we meet again, Pei Xiang and Lexa are both masters at managing expressions, and the corners of their eyes and brows can't help but be full of lingering affection.When raising hands and throwing feet, every time the eyes touch and the eyes meet, it is just like a pool of tenderness like water, rippling in silent tacit understanding.

The sun shone down on the shoulders, the breeze blew through the ends of the hair, and the two slowly fell behind.

"You made an appointment with Rhett?"

"I just happened to meet," Rexxar looked sideways at his sweetheart, his voice was low and gentle, "Captain Butler came to the pier today, it seems to be seeing off a close female friend. After he saw me, he Thinking of the fact that you arrived in Liverpool today, I stayed with you."

Pei Xiang understood: "I'm just saying, why did Rhett suddenly play the role of a close friend? He should be sitting lazily in the club, playing cards and smoking, and he will wait until Edward and I are ready to enjoy a sumptuous dinner." Come and visit with a bottle of good brandy."

From Pei Xiang's tone, Rexxar heard her familiarity and affection for Captain Butler, so he smiled and raised his eyebrows and asked:

"Perhaps I can also have the honor to have dinner at Hoffman's house tonight?"

"George, didn't you spend all your time tonight with me in your original plan?" Pei Xiang prolonged the tone pretending to be surprised, and then pretended to be angry, "That's impossible, I can't think of it." Good reason for you not to stay for dinner."

These words made Rexxar feel good, but he still sighed regretfully:

"It's a pity I didn't have a bottle of good brandy as a gift."

Pei Xiang comforted the "preoccupied" lover with a smile:

"What I ask of you is different from what I ask of Rhett, dear. Not only do you have to wait for my return at the pier, but you also have to be reluctant to leave me. You can't leave me until midnight + two o'clock. go."

"I actually hope that you can become Mrs. Rexxar, and then take my hand and leave with me in the carriage at midnight + two o'clock."

"Dear George, please be patient."

"Okay, Lucy, please be soft-hearted to me."

While talking, the two walked near Rexxar's carriage.

On the other side, Edward also helped Melanie into the Hoffman family's carriage, followed by Charles Hamilton and sat next to his sister.Reiter, who was left behind, wanted to take Lexxar's carriage, but after receiving Pei Xiang's "disgusting" look, he could only wave to his coachman with a smile.

Not long after, three carriages stopped in front of Hoffman's house.Neither Rexxar nor Butler got out of the car, because the host's family had just finished a long trip and had invited guests from afar, so there must be many things to be arranged and busy at this time.They +very empathetically bid farewell in advance and left, promising to visit again before dinner.

That night, Hoffman's house was brightly lit and the atmosphere was harmonious. The young men and women were chatting with each other with relaxed smiles on their faces.

In the living room, Captain Butler walked up to Pei Xiang with a wine glass, looked at Rexxar who was talking to Edward not far away with interest, and said with a low laugh:

"I remember someone once said swearingly that she doesn't want to get married and be bound by a man. Why did she go to the United States and feel like she belonged after she came back? I originally planned to form a single alliance with you. Now It seems that I can probably apply to be the godfather of Young Master Rexxar or Young Miss."

Pei Xiang would not be shy just because of a few jokes from her friend, she raised her chin proudly:

"Such a good gentleman, of course you have to hurry up. Take a look at George's handsome appearance, and then think about his temper and intelligence. Being with him, how can it be considered restraint? It is obviously a kind of enjoyment."

Rhett raised his eyebrows noncommittally: "Lucy, be more reserved, don't scare away your good professor."

Pei Xiangyu smiled: "He knows many of my little secrets. Rhett, he knows how to respect women's independence and freedom better than you."

These words made Captain Butler show a genuinely surprised expression, and he squinted his eyes to look at Rexxar not far away for a while, and said meaningfully:

"If this is the case, then you really have to hurry up. It's not easy to meet a man who knows many of your little secrets but is not scared away. What's more... such a conservative and serious British gentleman."

Pei Xiang also looked at Rexxar following Butler's gaze, the corners of his lips curved.

"By the way, Rhett, after we come back this time, are you planning to return to the United States?"

"Well, it's time for me to visit some old friends in Washington. I haven't been in touch for a long time. I'm afraid they have forgotten my dear Captain Butler."

Pei Xiang pondered for a moment, then said:

"Rett, in another year or so, the Hoffman family will probably have their own merchant ship. At that time, I plan to travel with the ship and even become a real captain."

"Edward agrees?"

"Well, he actually misses the life at sea. Of course, if he plans to get married in recent years, I don't think he will travel too many times."

Butler poured Pei Xiang a glass of wine, and said slowly:

"You don't have to be a captain just because you want to. You have to have experience and courage, and you have to have a few seasoned and stable confidants on the crew."

Pei Xiang smiled leisurely, knowing that Rhett had understood his intention of bringing this matter up to him.She raised her wine glass and gestured slightly towards the black-haired captain:

"My friend, I think that's where your help is needed. How would you like to have a guy named James Hoffman study with you for a while?"

Butler smiled heartily: "If you want to follow me, you have to be smart enough, and you have to have some special abilities."

Pei Xiang looked determined: "You will definitely not feel that you are at a disadvantage. Maybe you will have to ask me to stay with tears in your eyes. Of course, I will definitely refuse you with regret and a firm attitude."

"Haha, you are such a confident girl." Butler's chest trembled slightly, his eyes sparkled, "Then I will wait and see."

"Cheers, Captain."

"Cheers, my friend, and good luck."

After drinking a glass of wine, the two exchanged a few more words.After that, Charles came over with a glass of wine and asked Butler about some things. After listening for a while, Pei Xiang got up and went to Melanie's place to discuss with her the travel arrangements for the next few days.

After a while, Rexxar and Edward came to the two ladies with wine glasses and asked them if they had any ideas about playing cards.

Melanie declined, but Pei Xiang remembered the ending of the last time he played cards with Ritter, and he immediately felt motivated to fight.She asks Rexxar to be her partner and prepares to team up with her boyfriend against Rhett Butler.

Edward, who is also good at playing cards, saw that his younger sister chose Rexxar without hesitation, and felt a little depressed in his heart.He snorted softly, preparing to cooperate well with Captain Butler tonight, and "teach" the dog man who stole his sister's heart...

The relaxed and happy days passed quickly, and the Hamilton brothers and sisters stayed in the UK for more than three months. During this period, they not only visited many famous scenic spots, but also invested in the business of the Hoffman brothers and sisters on a whim.

For this reason, Charles Hamilton specially wrote to Uncle Henry in Atlanta to discuss the matter with Henry Hamilton, the property custodian of their brothers and sisters, and prepared to sell several real properties in exchange for sufficient working capital.

If under other circumstances, the traveling nephew and niece suddenly wrote back, saying that they wanted to use a large sum of property to invest in a friend's business, the shrewd and prudent old lawyer would definitely refuse, and deeply doubt the two young children. Fooled by so-called friends.

Not so with the Hoffmans.

During Edward's stay in Atlanta, many business contracts were handled by Henry Hamilton, an old lawyer who knew the Hoffman family's business situation better.In addition, the current customers who have a cooperative relationship with the Hoffman family were introduced by Henry himself, and they are all friends who know everything about life.Therefore, the old lawyer knew very well that investing in the Hoffman family's business was more reliable and profitable.

Therefore, Henry Hamilton did not allow his nephews and nieces to use the fixed property under his name like he did when he rejected Miss Pittypat in the past, but wrote to them and told them to consider the pros and cons of it.

It is true that investing in the shipping trade may be profitable, but it is also possible to lose the principal.In contrast, if you have been holding real estate in a good location in Atlanta, although the value of the property will not increase rapidly, the chance of loss is also very small.

Charles Hamilton has grown quite a bit these days.After carefully considering his uncle's advice, he talked with his sister Melanie, and then wrote to his uncle and property custodian again, expressing his desire to invest in the Hoffman family's business.

The reason why he persisted in this way was, on the one hand, to help his friends whose capital was not sufficient, and on the other hand, he also wanted to learn to make some decisions on his own.

Charles is now the sole male heir of the Hamilton generation, and in a few years he will be old enough to be in charge of his own dowry and that of his sister Melanie.After that, he will also take on the responsibility of taking care of Aunt Pitty and Uncle Henry.Therefore, he must let himself get more exercise and grow up as soon as possible.

In order to convince the elders, Charles did not hide his true thoughts. He wrote his worries and hopes in the letter, and his true feelings were revealed between the lines, which was moving.

Sure enough, after reading his nephew's letter, Henry Hamilton was both relieved and moved.He thought about it for a long time, thinking about Charles' growth and responsibility, thinking about the situation between the North and the South—although he firmly believed that the South would win, but...what if?Thinking of Melanie's marriage again...

In the end, Henry not only agreed to the sale of several warehouses and shops in Atlanta by the brothers and sisters, but also signed a check himself, intending to invest in the shipping business of the Hoffman family.

——Regardless of making or losing money in the future, it’s all about encouraging the younger generation.

At this point, the Hoffman family's business has shares in Rexxar and Hamilton.

After that, Pei Xiang sent the Hamilton brothers and sisters back to the United States.Immediately afterwards, she began to use the identity of James Hoffman to run business with Captain Butler, occasionally returning to Liverpool to meet her lover Rexxar for a few days, and most of the time, she was floating at sea or traveling around.

Pei Xiang's learning and growth rate is very fast, and he quickly became a decision-making commander who can act alone.Edward also let go of his hand gradually, and stopped worrying too much about Pei Xiang who was running around by himself.

Later, the tension between the north and the south of the United States became more and more tense, and Rexxar received new instructions that he could no longer stay in Liverpool.

——Washington needs Rexxar to continue to engage in intelligence activities on the European continent as a scholar.

As a result, he had fewer opportunities to meet Pei Xiang.

In 1861, Pei Xiang sent his friend Charles Hamilton to the battlefield.She prepared a number of life-saving medicines, enough for Charles to deal with most of the ailments.Then, she accompanied Melanie to live in the Hamilton house on Peachtree Street for a period of time, until the date of Charles Hamilton's death in the original book was approaching, and she did not say goodbye until she received the news that Charles had recovered from a serious illness I left Atlanta to go about my own business.

It is also worth noting that Charles Hammerton did not marry Scarlett O'Hara of Tara before going to war.Ever since he realized that Scarlett loved Ashley and didn't care about Melanie's feelings, he had no love for that beautiful and stubborn green-eyed girl.

After Ashley lost the engagement with the Hamilton family, he was both relieved and filled with deep sense of loss.

In recent years, he seldom saw Melanie, so he naturally had no affection for her.But he also knows that facing the crumbling southern civilization that is about to be destroyed, perhaps only the existence of a typical southern lady like Melanie can allow him to retain his last thoughts about his past life.If he married her, he should be relieved and full of security, but unfortunately, the two of them missed it.

At the same time, he was still reluctant to completely stay away from the passionate Scarlett, but he couldn't make up his mind to marry her.

In other words, he knew that Ashley, whom Scarlett was obsessed with, was just an illusion that could be shattered at a poke. If he really married Scarlett, it would be really difficult for them to live happily ever after after marriage... No, Maybe even An Ning and Peace can't be achieved, that would be a tragedy for both him and Scarlett.

On the other hand, Scarlett O'Hara always felt that she had hope because Ashley had no news of her engagement or marriage, so she didn't marry herself in a hurry, but kept doing tower work. The eldest lady of La Manor is eagerly looking forward to the safe return of her sweetheart every day.

The war has already begun, and Pei Xiang left the United States to expand the business channels of the Hoffman family in various parts of Europe, while Edward and Rhett Butler acted as heroes bravely breaking through the blockade, delivering daily necessities to the residents of the southern states. Light industrial products .

I don't know from which day, love gradually developed between Edward and Melanie.Under the shadow of the war, amidst the separation of life and death all over the city, the hearts of the two got closer and closer.Gradually, Edward stayed longer and longer at the Hamilton home on Peachtree Street.

One day, Pei Xiang, who was discussing business in France, received a letter from Atlanta.There was a great joy in the letter, that her best friend was engaged to her brother, and that they were going to marry when Charles Hamilton came home for Christmas.

Pei Xiang calculated the date and felt that he could sneak back to Atlanta on the eve of the wedding, so he happily wrote a reply letter and sent his sincere blessings.

"Well, it happens to be in France. I want to prepare some beautiful and fashionable ribbons and lace for the bride. By the way, there are also wedding dresses," Pei Xiang muttered to himself. "After all, it is a once-in-a-lifetime wedding. The clothes must always be beautiful. However, at this time, it is definitely too late to completely customize, and we can only buy some finished products."

Therefore, Pei Xiang temporarily put down the financial statements in his hand, changed back into a beautiful and fashionable women's clothing, and went shopping lightly.

In a boutique store with bright and clean windows, Pei Xiang put forward her purchase needs to the clerk:

"Ribbons and embroidered lace suitable for weddings, light-colored ones, yes, not the narrow ones, but wide ones. For laces, well, of course, the kind that are completely hand-drawn, if you can sew some pearls on it Very good."

"Is it for the bride?"

Looking at Pei Xiang's clothes, the clerk quickly judged that she was a lady with a fairly good financial situation, and warmly recommended:

"Ma'am, we offer bespoke styles in our store, and every detail is guaranteed to be exceptional. Many sweet brides-to-be love the uniqueness."

Pei Xiang smiled and shook his head, gently rejecting the clerk's recommendation.

"Oh, the wedding is in a hurry, if it's customized..."

Speaking of this, Pei Xiang's speech speed slowed down without a trace.While communicating with the clerk, she listened attentively, making sure that someone was indeed descending in the direction of the stairs not far away, but for some reason, the other party stopped suddenly.

"There is definitely not enough time, so I can only choose from the finished products. But I still hope that everything can be perfect, so that there will be no regrets in a wedding that was united because of love."

The clerk didn't have Pei Xiang's keen hearing, and he still focused on entertaining the guests.

"There are many different styles of exquisite finished products in our store. There are + two types of light pink ribbons alone, and even more styles of veils and laces. Miss, if you don't want to leave any regrets, it's better to let that Miss Happiness, who is about to become a bride, came to choose in person to see which one is more eye-catching."

Pei Xiang waved his hand and said softly:

"It's fine for me to choose, it's not convenient for her to come here now."

—Strange, is the person hiding in the stairs the owner of the store?Observing the working ability and working attitude of the clerk secretly?

The clerk showed a slightly embarrassed expression:

"Ah, well, because the material of the fabric is delicate, and it is prepared for the wedding, it has a special meaning, so we do not accept returns or exchanges. Miss, if you insist on choosing for the bride, if it doesn't meet the other party's wishes, wouldn't it be very troublesome?"

Pei Xiang guessed that the clerk was probably annoyed by some previous disputes, so he reminded and explained so much, and said in a firm tone:

"It doesn't matter, she will definitely like it, and the groom will have no objection. I promise, if there is no quality problem, I will never come to you to return the product."

Pei Xiang's insistence caused some misunderstandings to the romantic French male shop assistant.

He speculated that perhaps this unusually beautiful girl was the bride-to-be, but for some reason it was inconvenient to explain.He also thought that this was a hastily held wedding, so he couldn't help showing an ambiguous expression.

The clerk looked at Pei Xiang's beautiful face, graceful and slender waist, flat abdomen, and...the shiny jewelry on his body, and sighed enviously:

"Miss, your... Oh, no, I mean, the groom is a lucky man, I hope he can cherish the bride's love."

Pei Xiang smiled: "Both of them are very lucky, and they will definitely support each other through the rest of their lives."

The clerk nodded again and again, and greeted earnestly at the same time:

"Oh, if that's the case, Miss, please come to the rest area here to choose. I'll put these samples of ribbon and lace on the coffee table. Take a look. Please, take your time here. Be careful, there is a steps."

Pei Xiang blinked, and was about to follow the clerk to the cubicle rest area when he suddenly heard footsteps not far away from the direction of the stairs.Curious, she turned around and looked up, and happened to catch a glimpse of her lover who had been separated for more than half a year walking down the stairs at a leisurely pace.

"Miss, are you coming to the store to pick out wedding supplies?" The man who reunited after a long absence asked calmly, looking at the samples that the clerk was holding in his arms.

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows slightly, and said sweetly:

"Yes, the wedding will be held this Christmas. Do you have any suggestions, sir?"