[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Scarlett was sure Jonathan Wilkerson's move against Tara wasn't over yet, but so what?

Life had to go on, even though she knew she would suffer brutal exploitation for how much money she made, Scarlett still firmly carried out her plan to buy the sawmill.Looking back now, it is likely that Jonathan was exposed to Tara's real situation by her own shop opening.But she can't regret it now.After all, being reborn does not mean not making mistakes, everything is much better than in the previous life.

Today, Scarlett carries a gun with her for self-protection.She is still not ready to become a murderer, even if the other party is extremely vicious and sinful.But she realized, quite possibly, that one day she'd need the gun for exactly the same reason she killed the Yankee.She wished she had done well by then.

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Without much suspense, Scarlett bought her long-cherished sawmill from the old fox Johnson who was eager for money.Scarlett had been in contact with him very early, and he had been with him for a long time.She simply pointed out the shortcomings of the sawmill that Johnson had carefully hidden—thanks to the rush in her previous life when she just took over!And finally got the sawmill at a very satisfactory low price.Now the sawmill, slightly adjusted to Scarlett's plan, was up and running, and Johnson, now the overseer, stayed on to work again.

Not without regret, Scarlett wished that she could take office in person.

But what she lacks most now is manpower. Although Johnson has various shortcomings, he can only endure it until he finds a replacement.Besides, Scarlett started to work on the second store again. The warehouse next to the railway was rented by Merry, and she hoped to run it well before returning it to Merry.

During the day, Scarlett sits in the shop at Pentagon Square, chatting with customers freely, sometimes using a soft face, sometimes using cold calculations to deal with.She basically does not agree to credit, but even if she refuses, she must be careful to avoid damaging her reputation among the upper class.The story of Miss O'Hara's appointment in Atlanta has long been rumored, and people wait and see, noncommittal.After the war, many women went out to earn a living. They did some women's work such as baking pies, teaching music, and painting porcelain.Before people found out that the shop was actually purchased and operated by Scarlett herself, they still had pity and respect for this "delicate lady".

Scarlett was happy to maintain this status quo, but knew that it could not last long.The sawmill will certainly be a watershed moment. When she comes out in person and holds the power, there will be more than one suspicious look, but she has nothing to fear.

It was almost four o'clock when Scarlett closed.Then she ate something casually, and took Big Sam to the side of the railway to continue the arrangement.At a southern banquet before, she had mentioned it to Hugh Elsing, who stammered and offered to help.In this way, she can find someone to look at another store, and she can start preparing for opening.Scarlett remembered Hugh's weak temper, but she didn't have anyone else for the time being.The capable people have gone to fend for themselves, who else can they find for help?She thought about Tommy for a while, then turned around and set countless terms for Hugh, secretly hoping that he could do things like "no credit allowed" and "clear accounts".

Hugh had already arrived, waiting for her at the door, and Scarlett remembered to give him a key in exchange for Hugh's grateful smile.In any case, Hugh's character was trustworthy.They walked in together and saw the light coming in through the cleaned windows, and the sawdust on the ground had a faint aroma.Big Sam has a roaring fire and tall shelves of brightly colored fabrics, china, cooking utensils and groceries

There was no floor, but boxes, bags, plowshares, saddles, second-hand furniture, pine coffins, everything from cheap veneer to mahogany and rosewood, neatly stacked on the hard dirt floor.Richly colored but dilapidated brocades and horsehair chairs were piled together, and the boxes on the ground were full of seeds, nails and door lock tools.Overall, it's pretty tidy, but it's not quite what Scarlett wants.

"It has to be cleaned thoroughly," she declared. "It sells so much faster when it's tidied up."

Hugh remained silent, obeyed her orders, and joined hands with Big Sam.Scarlett had changed a great deal, more assertive and bossy, but Hugh had no intention of commenting on it, hoping that the job would last longer and support him.

Scarlett pulled out a willow chair, spread the ledgers on the table, and started to write at the desk.There's always something good about Southern rules when a man doesn't have a woman's turn to do heavy work, she thought absently.There are a lot of people in the store today, and she hasn't finished her account yet, so she just took advantage of this time to do more.

When she was working, Scarlett was very focused, so even when the sun was setting and Hugh had finished packing and said goodbye to her, she only hesitated.When Scarlett really calculated all the accounts and stood up rubbing her neck, she realized that it was already very late. Big Sam looked at her eagerly: "Can we go back to eat, miss?"

Scarlett coughed: "Of course... let's go back now." The beginning of a career is always extra busy, but she didn't intend to be dizzy and hungry.

Suddenly the front door opened, and a gust of cold wind blew into the shop.As soon as Scarlett got up, she was blinded by the cold wind, and opened it with great difficulty.She exclaimed in surprise, "Rhett!"

I saw a tall man stepping into the small shop with the steps of an Indian, and it was Butler who hadn't seen him for a long time.

"Dear Miss O'Hara!" Rhett smiled, showing his gleaming white teeth. He quickly stepped forward, picked up her hand and kissed her lightly, "Long time no see."

He was all new, and over his overcoat was a stylish cloak that fell over his thick shoulders.The top hat was casually held in his hand, and the collar of the white shirt with crepe collar was slightly opened, revealing a small piece of brown chest.Insolent and merry black eyes, white teeth gleaming.He looked full of energy, as if he had just come back from a long trip and said hello to her, without going through the prison at all.

Although she knew Rhett would be fine, Scarlett was still delighted to see him appearing in front of her.Anyway, prison is not a good place.She examined the man with critical eyes, and found no trace of downfall, even the stubble was shaved clean.Rhett allowed herself to be looked at with a smile, and even turned away cooperatively (hell, he was overly cooperative!), until Scarlett couldn't help a small laugh at last.

"Well, you idiot!" she growled in a low voice, noticing that the other party was overjoyed. "How did you get here?" Big Sam was stunned.

Rhett's smiling eyebrows and eyes seemed meaningful.

"I just went to see Miss Pitt and learned that your Excellency has done a great job, so hurry up and congratulate her!"

This mocking and flattering tone finally became a little normal, and Scarlett snorted softly.

"Don't think I'll forgive you for teasing me before." In prison, he used to spend a lot of money to take advantage of it.

"Oh, that." Rhett seemed disapproving, "I thought you would be very happy too, since I don't mind you treating me like that in reverse?" Seeing that Scarlett's face turned red quickly due to embarrassment or anger, He laughed, "Scarlett, you are so cute."

Scarlett did not want to stand where she was and be teased by him.

"It's late, why are you here? I was just about to leave." She said in a deliberately indifferent tone, and at the same time glanced at Big Sam, secretly praying that she could fool the black man.

"Really?" Rhett smiled lazily, his expression suddenly became serious, "But, Scarlett, you shouldn't have stayed out so late anyway. You know Atlanta is not that safe now."

...So you came here to pick her up because you were worried about her?This man can't talk properly!

"Ah," Rhett seemed to see her thoughts, and immediately added, "I know you have several loyal knights, but nothing is more important than being careful, right?"

Loyal knight?God, he didn't mean Hugh or Tommy, did he? ——If you count by the time spent with you, you might be talking about Big Sam.Scarlett really wanted to laugh out loud. She took out the pistol casually, shook it, then put it back, not noticing the sudden constriction of Rhett's pupils.

"Don't worry?" She said lazily, "I've always carried it with me."

Rhett was silent for a moment, and his voice suddenly softened.

"At least I don't need that today, my good girl." He said softly, "I'll take you home."

Scarlett was surprised by his suddenly gentle attitude, but she was already very tired, and she didn't think much about anything, so she let him accompany her out to get in the car, always feeling that she had overlooked some key information .Along the way, Rhett was still full of witty words, but Scarlett couldn't understand them.After a long while, she finally remembered the sentence she wanted to ask.

"When did you get out of prison, Rhett?"

The figure who was talking eloquently froze suddenly.