Lau

劉

Lau is first presented as the branch manager for the English operations of a lucrative Chinese trading firm, and as an acquaintance of both Ciel and Madam Red. However, despite his peculiar friendship with Ciel, it appears that Lau is involved in a business of questionable legality: his actual trade is opium, and he operates an opium den that seems to be quite prosperous. Although he knows that Ciel technically holds some authority over such illicit enterprises, his reaction to Ciel's threat to shut him down is simply to cheerfully remark that if that occurs, he will find another method to generate profit. Most of Lau's personal background remains unknown at this stage, but he is very familiar with Ciel and far more powerful than he lets on: before anyone else notices, he somehow disables the guards at a mansion that Ciel and the others are sneaking into.
Lau is a cheerful enigma. It is indeed a rare occurrence that he displays an expression other than a highly amused smile, even when participating in dangerous investigations. He enjoys making Ciel's life interesting—though perhaps not in the manner Ciel would prefer—by dropping in at odd hours for a cup of tea or to watch Ciel track down a murderer. He has a habit of referring to people by their titles (Earl for Ciel and Butler for Sebastian). Nothing seems to faze him. He is also quite skilled at acting as if he knows more than he actually does, and he uses this to his own advantage in various situations.