Inside the immigration office, the afternoon sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting stripes across Shen Jiang. Light slipped through the gaps around the window and framed her like the cover of some fashion magazine.
Shen Jiang sat quietly, her hands folded between her thighs, right hand on top, staring expressionlessly at the immigration officer across the desk.
"Miss Sonia, when did you come to the United States? How many times have you changed visas since then?"
"In 2008. I haven't changed visas."
"I noticed you have very few spending records?"
"I eat and live at the factory."
"Please explain to me in the simplest terms what work you intend to do in the United States."
"Build rockets."
"Cool! Where do you work now?"
"I work at SpaceX. I'm developing reusable rockets for the United States. The vision is to settle Mars and make humanity a multiplanetary species."
Shen Jiang spoke earnestly, and the determination on her face deeply moved the immigration officer.
The immigration waiting hall was packed with people awaiting the verdict on their fate, and an Asian man in the corner stood out in particular.
The Black security guard on duty had had his eye on the fellow for a while. In a place like the immigration office, applicants suddenly breaking down from extreme anxiety were a common sight.
The guard drew his telescopic baton and cautiously approached the man from behind.
Suddenly, there was a click.
The door opened, and a tall Asian woman emerged, her cool, pale face expressionless.
The Asian man hurried over to her, circling her as he questioned her about something in a rapid undertone. The woman nodded or shook her head, saying very little.
The guard stopped abruptly, the baton in his hand coming to a forced halt in midair.
"Whew,