[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Ellen finally agreed with Scarlett's decision to take the money out for investment, but Mistress Tara's frown showed her inner anxiety.

She didn't know what step Scarlett planned to take, and what form she planned to invest in.But what Ellen can foresee is that once she starts this way, it will be difficult for her to stop Scarlett from going down this road, but Tara has no other way now.Although Ellen didn't like this obviously unladylike behavior.

Scarlett didn't know how to comfort Ellen. She knew that her behavior would worry her mother, but it was absolutely impossible for her to give up the lumber factory.Scarlett was very surprised that her mother could try to agree to her doing similar outrageous behavior. Scarlett made up her mind to set off for Atlanta as soon as possible to settle the matter of the lumber factory—also, Aunt Pete never mentioned Rhett in her letter. Butler, she wondered if the man had come back.But no matter what, you still have to see it with your own eyes.

However, when leaving the account room, Scarlett's mood was inevitably depressed by Ellen's words.

"Scarlett," Ellen said softly, "my dear, when are you going to let us meet your boyfriend? You know, there were the most chasing boys before the war. Now Mr. Kennedy has asked Su Ellen Marriage proposal, Karin is also engaged to Mr. Benting, and your two younger sisters are settled. Do you have any plans for your future?"

To the future—Scarlett bit her lower lip, how was she going to tell her mother that the villain she liked still shamelessly seduced her to be his mistress?Her future... Can she really realize her wish?

When Ellen whispered to her that the names of several single boys in the county were rejected by Scarlett, Tara's mistress didn't say anything, she just stroked her eldest daughter's hair and said to her: "Go ahead, go to Atlanta and do what you want. But if possible, try to keep an eye on the boys around you. I'm looking forward to getting my daughter married."

Scarlett nodded distractedly.

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Because of the uneasiness caused by Ellen's last words, Scarlett passed the whole journey in silence.

Although Scarlett has shown her foresight and ability in this life, Ellen, who knows from Will that the law and order in Atlanta is now chaotic, does not agree with Scarlett traveling alone.Regardless of Scarlett's objection, she gave the big Sam to her, and at the same time wrote to Uncle Henry, Mrs. Merriwether and others, hoping that they could take care of their daughter.Scarlett had a bitter face, only feeling that there were many constraints.

She didn't bring much luggage.Gold coins and two changes of clothes, and—the bonnet that Rhett had given her, and two modest pieces of jewellery.Scarlett was a little annoyed by her actions, but she was still prepared for a possible meeting with Rhett, even though the other party didn't seem to take her seriously at all!

Sulking, Scarlett picked up her luggage and got off the train, stepping on a piece of scorched earth.The wind was blowing, and the gray sky was billowing with dark clouds.There was a desolate open space in front of me, with deep potholes and deep ruts.The station was blown up, and Scarlett led Big Sam to look for the road signs that could tell the direction, but sadly found that Atlanta was no longer what he remembered.A few buildings can't be seen as far as the eye can see. The Yankee in blue military uniform draws out the horror hidden in his heart. Scarlett walks uncomfortably through the mud, and it would be nice if there is a carriage to pick up the secret road—it's a pity that Pete The old horse of my aunt's family died a month ago, so the old lady wrote two pages with tears in her eyes.And they didn't know the news that they were coming, Scarlett curled her lips, and suddenly saw a blond hair, she immediately became happy: "Hi, Tommy!"

It turned out that it was Tommy Wellborn who was driving the carriage. Seeing Scarlett and Big Sam hastily called them into the carriage, Scarlett really doubted whether the wrecked wagon that was about to fall apart could last.And Tommy seemed to see what she was thinking, and said with a smile: "Sometimes you have to bring customers along when you do business, and you can't do without a car. And now I can't afford to buy better ones."

The road is very narrow, and there are ruins on both sides.The place where the buildings used to be crowded and crowded is now empty, and it is beyond recognition, which always makes people feel emotional.The streets where the prosperity of the past has disappeared are full of dust, and the dilapidated Atlanta is stuffed with countless free blacks and prostitutes running around the streets.Scarlett found acquainted names in some new shops and new facades, but more were strangers.Scarlett forced her thoughts not to wander, and she pulled herself back to her conversation with Tommy.

"Thank you for taking us on this journey, Tommy. Don't worry, you will be able to do a good job in the future and buy any car." She said sincerely.In her previous life, before the death of Tommy Welburne caused by the Klan avenging her, the business of building houses had already accounted for nearly one-third of the market in Atlanta.Of course, Scarlett knew his talent well, and even was enthusiastic about it.Scarlett went straight to the point, "But Tommy, are you interested in doing business with me?"

The blue-eyed lad was visibly taken aback.

"Oh, Scarlett, you mean—"

"It's literally." The green-eyed beauty smiled slyly, eyes crooked, "I'm going to buy a lumber factory. I think you need lumber to build a house——Tommy, enough of the owners of the lumber factories Are you asking a high price because of the urgent need now? Are you interested in being my first client, I promise you will not be disappointed."

The blond man stared at her several times, and finally fell on the bewildered face of Big Sam, who laughed out loud.Young and handsome—the most important thing is still alive Tommy Welburne said straightforwardly: "I trust you, Scarlett. When your lumber factory can produce, remember that the first batch is mine." She never asked Scarlett how she had gotten the money, how she had persuaded Ellen, or whether she was keeping things from the family.

"We can make an appointment to discuss the price later, after I can show you the finished product—" Scarlett said with a sweet smile, "Oh Tommy, I don't want you to order it out of the southern gentleman's demeanor of taking care of a girl's self-esteem. Order, I said that I don't intend to let you suffer." I silently added a sentence in my heart that I don't suffer, otherwise where would she make money from?

"I don't think so, Scarlett." The blond boy smiled heartily, but his expression was very warm, "Of course, my schedule will always be reserved for you. Scarlett, I believe you will Made a career out of it."

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The affirmation from a southern man naturally encouraged Scarlett, no matter what, it is always a joy to be trusted.However, Scarlett, who was pressed on Aunt Pete's plump breasts and almost out of breath, could only roll her eyes and scream loudly, trying to get rid of her aunt's passionate kisses and hugs.

How good the red brick house with the slate roof was not reduced to ashes!

Under the dim light of the dining room, Scarlett collected herself and asked Aunt Pitt about her financial situation.Aunt Pete had been supported by her for a large part of her previous life, and Scarlett, who was used to carrying heavy burdens, didn't think there was anything wrong.In short, it was better to find out early that Ellen would not let her watch her relatives starve to death as soon as the burden fell on her head.Scarlett thought while touching the gold coins in the purse.

Aunt Pete finally had someone to talk to, and she was too late to be happy, so she poured beans into a bamboo tube, and wiped her tears while counting her own bad luck.She couldn't tell what had happened to her farms, town properties, and cash, either, or at least that's what her brother Henry, who helped her manage the finances, said.He couldn't pay the taxes on all her estates, and now she had nothing but this house.But Pete forgot to consider that the house was not all hers—half of the house was inherited by Melanie.In short, at present, Uncle Henry barely pays the taxes for the house, and gives Aunt Pete some living expenses every month.Aunt Pete yelled that it would be shameful to spend Henry's money, but she had no choice.

"Henry said he was too burdened and the taxes were too high to make ends meet. But maybe he was lying to me. He has money, but he just won't give me more." Aunt Pete complained.

Scarlett knew that Uncle Henry was telling the truth, and she had exchanged letters with Uncle Henry several times when she was about to rent the Charles Heritage Store from Merry.It could be seen that the old lawyer had sacrificed a great deal in his desperate efforts to save a few more things for his loved ones, so that Merry or Pete could rely on them.He was greatly relieved and grateful at the same time that Scarlett paid the taxes for Merry.Glancing at Aunt Pete's pursed mouth, Scarlett was suddenly very upset. This old fool can still be innocent and self-willed at this time and be protected by others. Who knows that life is hard!And she still coquettishly complained about the hard life, and blamed that elder brother who tried hard to take care of her!

Barely suppressing the sudden anger in her heart, Scarlett smiled sweetly and held Pete's fat little hand tightly.

"Good aunt," she said, "don't talk about money and such bad luck, let's talk about old friends. How is Mrs. Merriweather and Maybelle? I hear Maybelle's husband is back safe and sound, hasn't he?" Really? Are the Elsings and Meades all right? And that—oh, Captain Butler, have you heard from him?"