[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Scarlett was in a good mood when she left Tommy's house, but when she returned to Aunt Pete's house, she felt her temples throbbing again.

Anyone who was stared at by a man who helped you drive the car with weird eyes all the way, asked him and he didn't say anything, and he was not in a good mood, right?

What Scarlett would never admit was that at this point in time, she felt a little hesitant, just like what Rhett Butler felt at the moment—it's a pity that Scarlett didn't know it.Fascinated by the authorities, the two shared the same feeling by coincidence.For Scarlett, after she had made up her mind to either live alone or marry Tommy, in short, she would no longer be entangled with Rhett Butler, but at a critical juncture, she revisited her uncooled love.And Rhett's unabashed performance for everyone to see, as well as the obvious nervousness, seemed to be a hint.Scarlett vaguely sensed that the relationship between the two might take another step in the near future—to the direction she expected, but she didn't dare to take the initiative to push this step, for fear that everything would come to naught.As for Rhett, he had just witnessed Scarlett's almost abnormal concern about Tommy's distress the night before, and then she even chased after him for Tommy!It is impossible for Rhett to know that Scarlett is worried about her when she catches up, and it is even more impossible to understand Scarlett's shadow of Tommy's death in her previous life.Therefore, he had some doubts in his heart that he would be rejected if he opened his mouth. He would rather do a few practical things first, such as improving his reputation, before he had the confidence to propose marriage.Bell could see this mental activity clearly, but it was both sad and funny, so he just ignored it after clicking a few words casually.So now Scarlett and Rhett are actually at a very delicate point.

The next step is perfection, otherwise I don't know how long it will take.Fortunately, the two of them still had a few friends who cared, so as soon as Scarlett walked in, she found Melanie sitting on the sofa knitting.

"Merry?" Scarlett yelled uncertainly, walked in, and hung up the bag she was carrying, "Why did you come here?" She asked with concern, "How is Ashley's injury? Geez, he hurts worse than Tommy, I thought you were supposed to take care of him."

Melanie stood up and rubbed the center of her brows wearily: "Yes, but Dr. Meade gave him some tranquilizers, and Ashley fell asleep after drinking... Now, besides letting him rest, there is actually nothing to do. There's not much to do."

Scarlett was a little apologetic.

"Sorry, dear, this time it's all because of me..."

"No," said Merry softly but firmly. "Don't bring that up, my dear. It's never wrong for a Southern man to take revenge for insulting our Southern ladies—you don't have to think about it."

"Then don't talk about it." Scarlett followed the good advice, and it's not good to always bring up other people's troubles. "By the way, Mei Li, are you waiting for me?"

Melanie stretched out two fingers, her face was a bit embarrassed but determined.

"Two things," she said softly. "First, Scarlett, if I say I want to—I want to thank Mrs. Belle Watling, would that suit you?" She lifted her face, brown eyes Flashing light, "I mean, she helped us so much this time, I think I should come to the door to thank her personally. But if the Yankees find out, will it bring danger to Ashley and the others? I think Find a safe way, Uncle Peter will never agree to drive me there, and I don't know the way at all—”

"Oh, Merry." After being slightly surprised, there was a feeling of "it really is". Scarlett knew that her friend had made up her mind, so she didn't persuade her at all, and said angrily, "Okay, okay, in two days I'll take you there by car. We parked the car at the back door, where there is a deserted railway, and there will be no one there during the day, and then we called Watling down to talk. So, is it okay?"

"Scarlett, you are so kind," Melanie said softly, "I don't know what I would do without you."

Scarlett glanced at her sideways: "If I don't agree, you will really come to the door, won't you? I can't just watch you go like this, it would be much more—" She stopped, Meera Ni was a little embarrassed.

"Well, anyway, you helped me a lot." She said sincerely, then cast her eyes at Scarlett, and asked with some hesitation: "By the way, what did you say to Tommy today?"

"He's a nice guy, you know." Scarlett said with a sigh, "but it's not what I want. Today we have made it clear."

Meili let out a small sigh of relief, not knowing whether it was regret or sigh.

"Then," she asked tentatively, "Captain Butler, what do you think?"

Scarlett's face collapsed: "Oh, Mellie, don't tell me this now..." But Melanie didn't like her, she leaned over, hugged Scarlett's arm affectionately, and sat on the sofa together Turning her head, brown eyes looked at her tenderly and sincerely: "Honey, it's time for you to think about your life."

Scarlett blushed at what she said, she waved her hand in frustration, and muttered, "Don't mention it, Merry, it's not something I can—oh!" She shouted angrily, "He doesn't mention that , what can I do?"

Melanie looked shocked, but the two soft arms firmly surrounded her: "Is... like this?"

"Otherwise?" Scarlett rolled her eyes, "It's not like you don't know him, Rhett Butler is a bastard through and through..."

"But he's always been fond of you," said Melanie seriously. "Anyway, Scarlett, I think you—" She blushed again. "Ashley told me a little bit about that night." I think you'd better not let yourself regret it. It's for the man to take the initiative, but you have to give him the confidence to speak up."

"He deserves to be rejected ten times!" Scarlett said angrily, but she listened to Mei Li's words in her heart.

For his own happiness, it's okay to find him a ladder?Although she felt that Rhett Butler was so confident that it was impossible for him to hesitate - but when he proposed, she must let his mother deal with him severely!Scarlett thought so.

But Scarlett's ladder was not handed out in time.

Two days later, according to the agreement with Mei Li, Scarlett finished work early around four o'clock, and then drove the carriage to pick her up.After the conflict outside the city, Atlanta was temporarily calm.Tommy is still recovering from his injuries today, and Rhett has disappeared again—Scarlett feels that her good mood is gone!So she is traveling alone.Fortunately, you don't have to worry about mobs when you walk on the main road in the city, Scarlett thought.She stopped the car and waited for Merry to come out.

Although the conflict between the Ku Klux Klan and the Yankees was designed by the Yankees, his own humiliation was the trigger after all, and Tommy Welburn even flirted with Hernance face to face.Originally, Scarlett was very worried that this would bring unnecessary danger to Tommy. After all, it is not easy to offend the high-level military.However, by God's blessing, Hernance, Jonathan and several high-level officials who were friendly with them were all killed in the conflict that day, and there was a small-scale reshuffle among the Yankees.Scarlett didn't know the result yet, but Tommy's matter was finally exposed, and she could feel a little relieved.Otherwise, in order for Tommy not to be troubled by the Yankees, she could only ask Rhett once for help-although Tommy would definitely not be happy, but who would know if she didn't tell?All in all, it's really a good thing that things can pass like this this time.

Melanie Wilkes emerged, solemnly dressed and tired.Ashley had a fever these two days, and Scarlett thought she hadn't rested for a long time, so she said to Melanie as soon as she got into the car, "Shut up for a while, I'll drive."

Melanie nodded, so she was speechless all the way.The carriage rattled and ran over the road, and when it finally reached the back door of Watling's brothel, Scarlett parked the carriage beside the desolate railway, and then jumped out of the carriage.At this time Melanie also woke up.

Scarlett drove Aunt Pete's carriage today, and there was a carriage, which was not open.Sitting inside, as long as the curtains are drawn, no one else can see.This is also Scarlett's idea, and Mei Li must not be allowed to go into a brothel and talk to Watling!Scarlett asked Meili to wait in the car, and walked around the back door by herself—no way, she also thought about asking Rhett to borrow the key, but she couldn’t open her mouth after all—to the front door, and she was quite familiar with this time.It was still afternoon, and there were few people. Scarlett grabbed a beautiful woman at the door, and said in a strong tone:

"Call Watling down, yes, just say Mrs. Wilkes heard about her husband and wants to talk to her."

The woman was quite angry at first, but after hearing what Scarlett said, she understood everything.She gracefully walked in to find Bell, but Scarlett hurried back after reminding her that it was the back door. She couldn't stand the environment here.Sure enough, not long after, the back door opened suddenly, and Bell Watling came out in a hurry, shouting anxiously: "Mrs. Wilkes, how can you come here in person! It's so inappropriate—" Her words suddenly She paused because she saw Scarlett leaning against the carriage.The two women looked at each other for a moment, and Scarlett snorted and walked away first.Bell looked a little gloomy, and she climbed into the carriage.

Scarlett was impatient to hear Merry thanking Belle, though she had to admit that the woman had saved everyone—probably for Rhett!She thought sourly, she might as well jump over the side rails and kick stones.After a while, there were footsteps approaching her. Scarlett thought it was Bell, and said casually, "Okay, I'll take Meili back." Turning around, it was Melanie smiling hesitantly.

"Scarlett," she whispered, "Mrs. Watling seems to have something to say to you."

Scarlett was taken aback for a moment, and then a burst of anger rushed into her heart.She only said to Merry, "Wait here for a while and don't wander around", then strode towards the carriage, and when she lifted the curtain, Bell Watling was waiting inside.

Damn it!Scarlett cursed inwardly. She didn't think the woman was going to praise her courage.To be honest, what else could Bell talk about besides Rhett Butler when he was looking for her?However, this is exactly what Scarlett is not willing to tell her.What about Rhett? It was between her and him. What did it have to do with Belle Watling?She sat down with a frown, and asked bluntly, "Mrs. Watling, what do you have to say to me?"

But to her surprise, Bell Watling's first words were indeed compliments, and she said to Scarlett:

"You're a little braver than I thought."

Scarlett frowned tightly.