Ruan Boyang briefly assessed his current body, then looked at the flashy man in the suit and nodded in satisfaction.
"You're Vice President Zheng?"
At the question, President Zheng grew visibly excited and replied incoherently, "Yes, yes, that's me. My Lord is so gracious—you even remember a nobody like me."
"You're too modest. Can Society here needs people like you to keep things running."
After offering a thoroughly insincere compliment, Ruan Boyang got straight to the point. "I've come here to find someone."
"Who does My Lord seek?" Vice President Zheng asked obsequiously, as if he wished he could bury his head in the ground.
"He calls himself Lu Bai. You can follow that lead and—"
"Who?!"
Apparently too shocked to contain himself, Vice President Zheng interrupted Ruan Boyang.
Fortunately, Ruan Boyang didn't seem to mind. He graciously repeated the name. "Lu Bai."
"Of course. Rest assured, My Lord. If this Lu Bai is really in Shelter No. 9, everyone in Can Society will do whatever it takes to bring him before you."
Vice President Zheng thumped his forehead against the ground three times. "We'll go make the arrangements now."
Ruan Boyang waved him off. "Go ahead."
"As you command!"
Vice President Zheng rose respectfully.
No one noticed that the instant he turned around, the obsequious look vanished from his face, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
To be fair, though Can Society called itself a society, its structure was closer to that of a religion.
And the higher-ups in any religion shared one trait: it was best if their Lord never actually came down to earth.
The door opened, and a sliver of light pierced the dark room.
Vice President Zheng led the way out, followed by the many Can Society members inside.
"Take them in for questioning first."