Leaked “Face‑to‑Face” Photo Rekindles Xu Kai‑Zhao Qing Scandal as Ex‑Girlfriend Files Defamation Claim and Police Are Involved

According to Lisha’s statements, the breakup with Xu Kai was precipitated by Zhao Qing’s alleged involvement with the actor. Lisha claimed that a hotel photograph of the two of them together surfaced, confirming a romantic liaison that she says she ended. She further alleged that, after the split, Xu Kai tried to reconcile while simultaneously pursuing other women in early 2023, a claim she supported with screenshots of text messages exchanged with Yu Zheng, the well‑known producer‑screenwriter who also serves as Xu’s agent.

The newly leaked picture has reignited the controversy, prompting a flurry of comments on Weibo, China’s leading micro‑blogging platform. Users have debated the significance of the photo, questioning whether a single image can definitively prove a relationship that allegedly ended three years ago. Many have expressed suspicion about the timing of Lisha’s accusations, suggesting that the leak is meant to generate drama while Xu Kai is promoting a new project. Some posts even label Lisha’s actions as “ulterior motives” or “manipulative,” while others rally behind the actor, pointing to his agency’s swift response—reporting the matter to the police—as evidence of his innocence.

The incident also spotlighted the role of Yu Zheng. Initial reactions from his camp were dismissive, but the controversy soon escalated into a more aggressive defense, with reports that Xu’s team filed a police report against the alleged defamation. The interplay between agency, artist, and accuser underlines the delicate balance of public relations in a market where celebrity image is tightly curated and any misstep can trigger a wave of online scrutiny.

Fan culture has been a decisive factor in shaping the narrative. The debate has splintered into rival factions, each defending their preferred side of the story. Phrases such as “让子弹飞一会儿” (let the bullets fly for a while) echo the weariness of users inundated with back‑and‑forth accusations, while other comments invoke the dramatic language of “三百回合” (hundreds of rounds) to describe the ongoing feud. Even fellow actors have been drawn in—Wang Xingyue, a colleague from the same talent pool, broke down in a live stream, and rumors of a confrontation between Shen Tai and Yu Zheng have added yet another layer of intrigue.

Beyond the immediate celebrity gossip, the episode raises broader questions about privacy, media literacy and the speed at which unverified content can spread online. The effortless circulation of a personal photograph highlights the tension between a public figure’s right to privacy and the public’s appetite for intimate details. Moreover, the conflicting accounts—from Xu Lisha’s detailed accusations to the agency’s legal countermeasures—illustrate the difficulty for ordinary netizens in discerning fact from rumor, underscoring a need for more critical consumption of social‑media‑driven stories.

Politically, the scandal appears contained within the entertainment sphere, with no direct links to government policy or broader geopolitical concerns. Nevertheless, it reflects the ongoing regulatory environment in China, where media outlets and talent agencies must navigate strict guidelines on defamation and privacy while still managing the sensationalism that fuels their platforms.

As the story continues to unfold, the prevailing sentiment among many observers seems less focused on whether Xu Kai and Zhao Qing ever shared a romantic relationship, and more on the motives behind the renewed accusations and the mechanisms through which public opinion is being shaped. Whether the police filing will lead to a legal resolution, or whether the saga will simply fade as another chapter in the ever‑turning drama of Chinese celebrity culture, remains to be seen. For now, the buzz on Weibo suggests that most users will adopt a “wait‑and‑see” stance, letting the “bullets” of gossip settle before drawing any final conclusions.