[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Rhett repeatedly ridiculed Scarlett, saying that her current clothes were too outdated.Of course Scarlett knew this, but could the money she saved be used to buy clothes?So resolutely don't speak up, and besides, the current fabrics are too expensive.

Rhett looked at her miserly way and laughed, making a gesture of surrender to end the subject.But a few weeks later, on a bright summer morning, he came uninvited with a beautifully wrapped hat box.Scarlett happened to be alone at home that day, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the box.Rhett smiled and peeled off layers of tissue paper, and took out a beautiful hat: "See if you like it?"

The hat in front of her was really beautiful. Even before the war, Scarlett had never worn such a beautiful hat.But—thinking of this, Scarlett couldn't help laughing. After marrying Rhett in her previous life, she lived a luxurious life for a while.What beautiful clothes have you never seen at that time?So he put on a careless look on his face.Rhett looked funny, but he was not in a hurry, as if he was sure she would like it.Sure enough, Scarlett took the hat reservedly, but her eyes lit up:

Emerald green taffeta with pale green moiré lining.Light green mesh tulle hung down from the wide brim, and a ring of tiny emerald beads ran around the brim.The hat strap tied on the chin is also light green, and it is as wide as a palm.There is also an ostrich feather on the brim of the hat, which is curved and wonderful.

It was too difficult to maintain a calm expression on her face, Scarlett tried to pretend for a while, but she couldn't.Anyway, she was used to being exposed in front of Rhett, so she picked up her hat with great interest and looked left and right.This hat is really exquisite, why do you think it is more beautiful than the one he gave yourself in the previous life?

Rhett saw how she couldn't put it down, and said with a smile: "Put it on."

Scarlett glanced at him vigilantly, pouted her lips, and said coquettishly, "Is this for me?—I won't pay you."

Rhett laughed. "You know, little miser—who wears a hat like that but you. Don't you think I remember the color of your eyes perfectly?"

Scarlett snorted, secretly pleased, of course.But she still didn't put the hat on—a pair of crystal-clear emerald eyes just stared at Rhett, and there was a sly brilliance there.Because of the emotions that are unconsciously revealed in it, it is even more charming.

"Rhett," she said softly, calling out his name, "are you really going to give me this?"

Rhett's expression was also more serious, but there was still some remnants of cynicism.He imitated Ellen's tone perfectly, with a soft and solemn tone: "Baby, candy, flowers, poetry collections, photo albums, and a small bottle of toilet water are only acceptable to young ladies. You must not accept expensive gifts, even from your fiancé. Do not accept jewellery, clothing items, even gloves and handkerchiefs. As long as you accept such gifts, men will think less of you and want to be bold with you."

Scarlett looked at him without blinking.

Just like he had prevented her from breaking up with Atlanta society without thinking it through.It's not that he doesn't like seeing her rebellious and bold, but he has love for her in his heart and wants her to calm down before making a decision.Whether to accept and wear this beautiful hat is his question again after a few months.He even told her the consequences of accepting the hat, and then waited for her answer.Scarlett tightly held the hat in her hand, and a bright smile burst into the corner of her lips.

Of course she would be the brave girl.

Although her words that day were reckless, every word was her sincere words.Just as she would not be afraid to leave with him at that time, she will also be able to withstand the hardships of being side by side with him in the future.Although, at this moment, he just wanted to make sure or try to see if she would really be the girl who could make him fall in love—a girl with a practical mind, full of courage, and the courage to fight fearlessly against life.

"You wait for me!"

After she dropped these words, she grabbed her hat and ran to the mirror on the opposite side of the room.She put her hat on, swept her hair back to reveal her earrings, and tied her hat strap.The feathers in her hat fluttered and her green skirt spread out in waves as she tiptoed around with a smile on her face.Playful, charming, and determined, her green eyes were sparkled by pale green linings.Her laughter was crisp and sweet and unscrupulous, and she asked him loudly, "Rett, do I look good?".

At that moment, Rhett Butler thought, he would never have seen a more attractive girl.

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These days, Scarlett wore a smart green floppy hat and strutted about in Atlanta, so proud of herself.Everyone liked her, complimented her, and treated her as a great beauty.But every time she went back to Tara, no matter how Rhett made fun of her, Scarlett insisted on choosing her gray cap.

"I have to be a good daughter for the time being," she said.

Once when Rhett drove her back to Aunt Pete's house in a carriage and teased this question again, Scarlett still gave a negative answer.Kerrett showed a mouthful of white teeth with a grin:

"Temporary?" He smiled strangely, "How long are you going to wait? Or do you know in your heart that this old routine will not survive for long?"

Scarlett hated his eccentric look the most: "Speak up." She was angry with him, rolled her eyes, and said with a sweet smile, "I don't know how long it will take. But there are not so many handsome boys in the county. Who are you wearing a beautiful hat for?"

The words came out too fast, Scarlett seemed to be a beat behind before she understood the meaning.Then, her eyelashes slowly covered her green eyes.Scarlett didn't look at Rhett's expression anymore, she was immersed in her own mood.

The boys of the county...

Those twin brothers with long hands and long legs.

Leif who ran away with her from home and went back together because he was hungry.

Boyd, the man in the limelight at the ball.

These handsome lads all went to war and... never came back.

Now because she is not yet married, the twin brothers are still full of hope for her favor.Just yesterday, she received a fiery love letter full of typos from two people.Scarlett was always willing to accept love letters, but never bothered to return them.Yesterday, she didn't know what happened to her, but she replied to both brothers seriously.It's short though.

Brent will not pursue Karin, Karin will not become a monk, and Tara will have an extra labor force... Two years of cotton have been sold, and [-]% of the donation to the hospital is due to her and Rhett. After fighting with each other, she secretly withheld some in the form of medicine, and everything will be fine, even if the tax is raised again, she is not afraid.There is already medicine at home, and my mother will not die...then those boys will not come back after all.

"Don't think about that, it's useless at all!" Scarlett warned herself secretly. At the same time, she heard Rhett's voice drawn from Charleston, which was extremely calm and reassuring:

"Scarlett, don't think about useless things."

Scarlett sniffled and did not accept a handkerchief Rhett offered.She replied in a muffled voice: "Then what is useful?"

"Useful things," Rhett dragged his tone deliberately, with a hint of a smile, "like money, like guns, like how charming a hat from Paris makes you look, like—a kiss? "

"What nonsense are you talking about again?" Scarlett glared at him fiercely, but cheered up all of a sudden, "Rhett Butler, I've never seen such a thick-skinned person like you!"

"Thank you for your compliment, I'm ashamed." Rhett smiled, as if he didn't feel embarrassed at all, "Scarlett, I'm serious, look how good you look in that hat. Besides, I'm not joking— —Beauty, I’ve done you such a favor, and you really don’t want to give me a kiss in return?”

Scarlett frowned, and pretended to be indifferent: "What kind of talk is this - how long ago did you say, and you still expect me to admit it?" At the end, she couldn't help but smiled lightly, thinking for herself He is proud of being able to play tricks on Rhett.

Rhett's eyes flashed, and he laughed.When he had laughed enough, he pretended to be mysterious and said:

"No, Scarlett, there was a reason why I didn't try to kiss you then. Even now, I don't mean to kiss you."

Although she knew that he was provocative, but whenever Rhett said such words that did not take her charm into consideration, Scarlett became very angry:

"Speak as if you want to kiss me and I promise you!"

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she felt that she had made a slip of the tongue. Whether she was in the carriage or outside, Scarlett's face burned instantly.She should have scolded how rude the subject was!Rhett laughed and said:

"Don't talk like that, Scarlett. Really, we both know it—" he drawled out, "but you do need someone to kiss you, and that's the problem. Your lovers take it too seriously." You, keep your tail up. But you're panicking again, Scarlett, you really ought to be kissed, and you need someone who knows how to do it."

"You think you're that expert?" Scarlett shot back angrily, wondering what he meant by that.

"Ah, that's right, if I don't mind the trouble." He said presumptuously, "People say I'm good at kissing."

"Captain Butler, if you continue to play around like this, I will be angry."

"Really, beauty?" He smiled strangely, "Then what do you want me to do? Like a real gentleman, never say a word beyond the rules, try to be considerate to make the lady feel comfortable, be respectful and respectful every day Calling you 'Miss O'Hara', even kissing hands has to be careful..."

The gentleman and lady's mode of getting along with her and Rhett is almost not right. Scarlett has to admit that she still prefers the way she is now, even though Rhett often makes her angry.But Rhett's words were not finished yet.

"This kind of getting along is not only boring, but also obviously consumes patience. Since I have a different purpose from those gentlemen—" His black eyes flashed with joy, "then why should I follow their stupid way? Come? I have no intention of proposing to you."