Great Expectations(2018)

Great Expectations is a Chinese drama set in early 20th-century Shanghai, following Hong Sanyuan as he arrives with his mother and friend Qi Lin seeking opportunity in the bustling port city. Under the mentorship of ferry leader Yan Hua, Hong navigates treacherous waters between rival business conglomerates while gradually drawn into political intrigue. The series captures his transformation from ambitious newcomer to reluctant player in Shanghai's high-stakes power games, blending personal ambition with the era's turbulent social upheaval. As Hong's fortunes rise, so do the dangers surrounding him, forcing difficult choices that test his loyalties and principles.