Period C-drama War of Faith released its first set of episodes on March 21, 2024. It features popular actors Wang Yibo, Li Qin, and Wang Yang in the lead roles. Wei Ruo Lai (Wang Yibo), who starts his journey as a mere employee at the bank, establishes his reputation in the field because of his remarkable talent. He catches the attention of a senior advisor named Shen Tu Nan (Wang Yang). They develop a bond quickly. But all things go south when Ruo Lai starts questioning the corruption within the department.
Episode 1 of War of Faith focuses on Wei Ruo Lai’s background. He is a poor student at an accounting institution in 1930s Shanghai. To not go hungry, he works for loan sharks and gangsters. He works for a gangster named Liang Qing. Even though he does his job diligently, he does not agree with Liang’s methods of punishing the culprits. Liang, on the other hand, is fond of Ruo Lei. He asks him to visit him if he needs any help in the future.
Ruo Lei tells Liang that he has not been able to graduate or get his diploma yet, as he comes from a small place like Jiangxi. Liang offers him to work for him full-time. He offers him job security, an apartment, and a high salary. But Ruo Lei respectfully turns down his offer.
War of Faith ep 1: Wang Yibo wishes to work at the central bank
In the next scene, the viewers are introduced to Shen Tunan (Wang Yang), the new senior financial advisor at the central bank. He is a reputed officer, and even the chief favors him. On the contrary, Ruo Lei comes from an extremely rugged background. He lives in run-down slums. He has friendly relations with the residents and even helps them with stock market predictions.
Meanwhile, Tunan narrowly escapes death as his car is blown up. The communist party wants to eradicate the central bank. Tunan mentions that they have tried to kill him four times before. During this time of crisis, the government banks are advancing, and the private banks are retreating. Tunan feels that the central bank’s roots can be stronger if they finish off these protestors.
A huge brawl breaks out between the communist party members and the Investigation and Arrest Department of the military. Shen Jin Zhen (Li Qin), a dedicated member and a talented sniper, single-handedly takes down the military while shielding her comrades.
Ru Lei meets Jin Zhen for the first time while she tries to escape the officers. Jin Zhen pulls him onto her rikshaw. Ru Lei pretends to know her and saves Jin Zhen from the military. She thanks him for his kindness and promises to return the favor in the future.
Jin Zhen and Xu Nuo, the person in charge of the communist party’s Shanghai office, mourn the deaths of their comrades. Xu Nuo treats her wounds and orders her to stay out of trouble for the time being. Meanwhile, Ru Lei gears up for his long-awaited assessment at the central bank.
War of Faith airs throughout the week and is available for streaming on iQIYI.
