Chinese TV Stars Xu Kai and Zhao Qing Accused of Secret Cohabitation, sparking nationwide scandal.

The controversy began to surface in early August when several alleged insiders posted snapshots of private chat logs allegedly exchanged between Xu Kai and Zhao Qing. The messages, which spanned from late 2021 through 2022, include intimate phrases such as “Come back, I’ll hold you to sleep” (回来我抱着你睡) and a short line from Zhao Qing stating, “I wasn’t a girl you invited” (我不是你约来的女生). To many netizens, the language reads like more than rehearsal notes for a drama; it hints at a personal relationship that may have extended beyond the professional sphere.

The situation intensified when Xu Kai’s former girlfriend, actress Xu Lisha (许荔莎), took to the public eye with accusations that her former partner had been unfaithful. In a series of posts and a short video, Lisha presented photographs, what she described as chat excerpts, and a timeline suggesting that Xu Kai was already seeing Zhao Qing at the time of their breakup in early 2022. According to Lisha, the affair began as early as 2021, meaning that both parties were potentially involved in overlapping relationships. The implications of a “third‑party” scenario have turned the drama into a moral reckoning for fans and observers alike.

Adding further layers to the saga is the involvement of Yu Zheng (于正), the powerful producer who runs the talent agency that represents both Xu Kai and Zhao Qing. When the rumors first ignited, Zheng’s studio issued a swift denial, stating that there was no evidence to substantiate the claims of cohabitation. However, netizens have been quick to point out the seeming implausibility of two high‑profile actors living together without the knowledge of their manager, a sentiment captured in online commentary such as, “If they were living together, how could their boss Yu Zheng not know?” The repeated denials have not quelled speculation; instead, they have sparked a wave of sarcasm targeting Zheng’s credibility, with some users mocking his statements as “fish tofu” – a Mandarin slang term for empty talk.

The reaction on Weibo, China’s leading microblogging platform, has been overwhelmingly negative toward both Xu Kai and Zhao Qing, with a particular focus on the actress. Many users have branded Zhao Qing a “homewrecker,” emphasizing the alleged timing of her involvement with Xu Kai before his relationship with Lisha. Comments such as “Zhao Qing knew exactly what she was doing with Xu Kai” and “both of them are not good people” underscore a collective disappointment and a desire to hold both parties accountable. Yet, the discourse is not monolithic. A minority of commenters have expressed sympathy for Zhao Qing, suggesting that she might have been a pawn in a larger industry game orchestrated by Yu Zheng, noting that she was “pulled out by Yu Zheng” and thus could be the most innocent party.

Xu Kai’s image has not escaped unscathed. While the criticism directed at him is less fierce than that aimed at Zhao Qing, fans have taken issue with the alleged blending of personal and professional lines. Queries about whether lines like “Come back, I’ll hold you to sleep” were rehearsed in private settings have been framed as evidence of unprofessional conduct. The perception that an actor might be rehearsing romantic dialogue in a shared residence, rather than on set, fuels concerns about transparency and the management of on‑screen chemistry.

The scandal also touches on a more tangled web of personal relationships. One rumor circulating in the chat logs claims that Zhao Qing’s former boyfriend is also an ex‑partner of two of Xu Kai’s previous female colleagues, suggesting a tightly knit network of romantic entanglements within the entertainment circle. While unverified, this detail has added a layer of intrigue and has been seized upon by gossip columnists eager to portray the industry as a “small world” where personal histories intersect repeatedly.

The public’s fascination with the alleged cohabitation is reflected not only in the volume of online commentary but also in the intensity of the emotions expressed. Threads have been filled with expressions of betrayal, allegations of “double pledging” (the notion that Zhao Qing may have been dating another man while involved with Xu Kai), and calls for accountability. In many posts, the phrase “who is the third party?” recurs, underscoring the lingering uncertainty about the precise sequence of events and who, if anyone, bears the greatest culpability.

Industry observers note that this incident is emblematic of a broader shift in how Chinese audiences engage with celebrity culture. The generation of fans increasingly expects transparency from their idols and demands ethical behavior, especially when personal conduct potentially undermines the fictional narratives presented on screen. The accusations against Xu Kai and Zhao Qing have been amplified by the context of an upcoming drama featuring the two actors, which was originally marketed as a fresh pairing that would delight fans. The rumors have, in effect, “spoiled” the anticipated chemistry, turning a promotional strategy into a liability.

In the wake of the storm, Yu Zheng’s agency has remained largely silent beyond its initial denial, leaving a vacuum that speculation continues to fill. The lack of a definitive public response from the agency or from either actor has only heightened the sense of mystery. Some netizens have interpreted the silence as a strategic move to let the controversy burn out, while others see it as an inadvertent admission that the alleged cohabitation could indeed be true.

The trajectory of the story remains uncertain. As more alleged screenshots and timelines circulate, the narrative may either solidify into a confirmed case of misconduct or dissipate as an unverified rumor. What is clear, however, is that the incident has already left an imprint on the reputations of those involved. Xu Kai, once hailed for his charismatic portrayals in period dramas, now finds his personal life under a microscope. Zhao Qing, whose career has been on an upward curve, faces a gauntlet of public judgment that could have lasting repercussions. And Yu Zheng, a figure known for his influence over Chinese television production, confronts doubts about his ability or willingness to manage crises within his talent pool.

For international observers, this saga offers a window into the evolving dynamics of celebrity, fan culture, and media management in China. It underscores how digital platforms enable rapid dissemination of alleged private communications, and how quickly such content can shift public perception. It also highlights the complex interplay between personal relationships and professional obligations in an industry where on‑screen chemistry often mirrors off‑screen narratives.

As the story continues to unfold, one thing remains certain: the hashtag #疑似许凯赵晴悄悄同居# will stay a hot topic on Weibo for the foreseeable future, serving as both a barometer of public sentiment and a reminder that in the age of instant information, the line between rumor and reality can be as thin as a single chat message.