[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Ashley Wilkes's bookstore was doing well, Scarlett had heard about that for a long time.This is proved by the obvious rich food on the table and the happy and carefree smiles of friends during several visits to Melanie's house.It's just that Scarlett is usually too busy, and she doesn't have much interest in the bookstore, so she never went to see it with her own eyes.

"That's not okay, honey," said Melanie affectionately, taking her arm. "We haven't thanked you for the foundation you've laid—and besides, I'd love to share with you what Ashley is doing right now." Performance."

"Okay." Scarlett always had no resistance to Melanie, "What time? I'll come back as soon as possible."

Melanie put on a happy smile on her face: "Honey, you are so kind! Ashley and I are going to be on the second floor of the bookstore on Friday night—you don't know? It's newly built, we've expanded, It was Tommy who helped, but it’s not open yet... By the way, where did I go? Friday night at eight o’clock! We plan to invite friends to dinner on the second floor of the bookstore at that time, to celebrate the second floor It will open soon, and I wish everyone a better life, and thank you for taking care of us." She grabbed Scarlett's hand and said, "Honey, you must come! You know how important you are to me! "

Eight o'clock on Friday night?Scarlett's mind raced to calculations.Hmm... It's nothing too important, at most it's not accounted for!She smiled and said, "Well, Merry, I'll try to go."

"I must go." At that time, when Melanie corrected her earnestly, Scarlett still didn't understand why she was so serious.But when it was Friday night, 10 minutes before [-] o'clock, she entered the bookstore from the closed door with a warm yellow wooden door, and climbed up the stairs, she understood the friend almost immediately. We were moved by their hearts at the same time.

Today is her birthday!

Eyes full of colorful stripes and flowers, friends dressed up, rushed to her one by one, with enthusiastic and happy smiles on their faces, shouting: "Happy birthday, Scarlett!" Many of them participated in the Ku Klux Klan The men in action booed: "Our wonderful Miss O'Hara!" A very large cream cake was placed on the long table, with "Happy Birthday Scarlett" written on it.Next to the cake are scattered wine glasses, grapes, champagne, etc.I don’t know how many wives contributed their beloved flowers and trees to make this place so beautiful and lovely!And the music, the touching singing, which seemed to start the moment she came in, made Scarlett dizzy.Almost all her friends were here, including the Wills, Catherine, who she thought had gone back to Tara, and Tony Fontaine and Fanny, who shouldn't be here at all!Everyone, almost everyone is here!At this time, Melanie left the crowd and walked up to her, Guazi's face was full of smiles:

"Let's say you were so busy that you completely forgot your birthday! Surprise?"

"I'm so happy!" Scarlett couldn't help raising her voice, and hugged Melanie in her arms.She was so happy, so happy, so many friends got together - celebrating her birthday!And she herself forgot!At this moment, at this lively and noisy birthday party, Scarlett once again felt the warmth of her friends—she was never abandoned by the South, and she stood with all her friends heart to heart.Although they may think that her words and deeds are out of line, she really feels warm and comfortable around them!Her home and roots, she's always there - she's so happy!

"Happy birthday!" she said, raising her glass and downing it.

"Happy birthday!" Friends also raised their glasses one after another, wishing her good health and beauty forever, and then drank it all.

It was like a dream, the best dream!And better yet, it's not a dream!Scarlett thought so when she was surrounded by the crowd and walked towards the birthday cake. The thick cream was decorated with all kinds of flowers and chocolates, and she couldn't bear to cut it. Amidst the booing of everyone, Scarlett made a wish by the candlelight.

She didn't make any wishes, but sincerely thanked God for giving her a chance to do it all over again.Now, everything is the best, and all the bright futures can be realized by themselves.Scarlett thought of the faces of her friends she saw when she was surrounded by the crowd, how familiar, kind and lovely they were!Melanie, Ashley, Tommy, Tony, Hugh, Fanny, Catherine, Karin, Will, old Frank... Ah, and Sue Ellen, who is also damn cute today!Alive, lovely friends!Her heart was so fluttering, the scene was simply bad--it was just that one person!

And this one won't be too far away.

When Scarlett closed her eyes in front of the flickering candlelight and quietly thanked God for the happiness she had, the audience fell into silence.Everyone leaves this time to the green-eyed girl, her wish and God.Silence, a very long silence, until a ray of singing gradually sounded.When Scarlett pulled her mind away from gratitude, opened those wonderful green eyes, and returned her mind to the party, what she heard was this beautiful and mellow voice that was not very loud but permeated the entire second floor. singing:

"Say it once please tell me I love you again,

Even if you repeat it over and over again you'll see it as a cuckoo song.

Remember in the green hills and woods, in the valleys and fields,

If the string of cuckoo syllables is missing,

Even if the fresh spring comes in green clothes all over the body, it is not perfect..."

The baritone's singing is soothing and full of joy and sweetness of love itself, as well as pursuit and longing, as if the rain is pouring over Scarlett's heart.This voice, this love!Scarlett couldn't control the trembling of her body, and she couldn't help but cast her eyes on the figure that was finally exposed after the crowd parted.There, a man was playing a guitar and singing to her.

"Love, it's so dark all around, only the terrified heart can be heard in your ears,

In the midst of that painful disquiet I cried and said I love you again.

Who would think there are too many stars, each of which revolves in space;

Who would think there are too many flowers? Every flower is full of spring.

Say you love me you love me ringing the silver bell!

Just remember, you still have to love me with your soul, silently. "

He finally finished singing, and Scarlett's heart fell slowly.The last piece of the jigsaw puzzle was finally connected. Those relatives and friends who had experienced the pain of war surrounded her with smiles, watching her get—get her own happiness.This may be her most perfect birthday yet.The song of love and appeal that touches people's hearts seems to be still echoing in this empty building.But Rhett Butler had put down his guitar and stepped out of the shadows, out of the crowd.He came forward and knelt down in front of Scarlett in front of everyone.

"Dear Miss O'Hara," he said softly, and she trembled at the mere mention of her name.

"Forgive me for being rash and rude," he said, looking up at her with a smile, his dark eyes seemed to be shining. "My love for you has lasted so long that I can't help coming to you." , on your knees. Your eyes, your smile make me uneasy. I hereby implore you to return my love as my fiancée and future wife. Dear Miss O'Hara, Stein Carrie, would you like to?"

Willing?Scarlett's heart pounded.She felt that she was in a dream again.Looking around, relatives and friends are all there, and the party belonging to the south is so cordial and happy.Everyone witnessed this moment, flowers and ribbons seemed to bless them, and all her wishes came true on this day.So—then what could she be dissatisfied with?She took a deep breath, and a blissful blush appeared on her face, making her even more charming.Scarlett smiled and replied, "I do, Mr. Butler."

There were cheers, screams and applause in an instant!There is also warm music!But Scarlett couldn't tell the difference now—because just after she said she would, the black-haired man who was kneeling on the ground jumped up, his face full of unconcealable ecstasy.They stood facing each other, staring into each other's eyes as if they were looking in a mirror, exactly the same, exactly the same joy!Rhett pulled her into his arms, lowered his head and kissed her deeply.

Scarlett didn't have time to exclaim—naturally, she didn't have time to comprehend the exclamation of others.All she could feel was her lips, only fanatical and intense love, only infinite joy and joy, only endless happiness—she put her arms around Rhett's neck, and kissed him back deeply.When the two finally let go of each other because they were out of breath, Rhett looked at her and smiled happily.He suddenly took out a delicate little box from his pocket.

"My God!" he sighed and laughed, "I almost forgot about that!"

Before Scarlett could react, Rhett Butler quickly opened the small box and took out something.With a flash of green light, he had already put the ring on Scarlett's finger.

"Now the name is settled." He said triumphantly.Scarlett stared at him for less than three seconds, then laughed out loud.She smiled and looked down at the engagement ring—a beautifully set emerald, so beautiful.

"I can't forget the color of your eyes," he said on the top of her hair, making her a little uncomfortable with his chin. "We belong to each other now," he said softly.

Scarlett felt her eyes turn sore, and she stared deeply into the black eyes of the man in front of her—how long has it been?From the previous life to the present life, she finally stood with this man.Although he knew that such a day would come when he proposed for the first time, when this moment really came, Scarlett still couldn't help but be moved.She put her arms around the man's neck.

"I love you," she said.Then he whispered in her ear: "Me too."

"I love you," they said together after a few seconds, and laughed softly.

The author has something to say: The sugar factory exploded XD

Rhett sang the song "say thoudost love again".A poem by Mrs. Browning that I like very much.