{
  "id": 467931,
  "title": "Chinese actress, 75, sued for S$950,000 by ex-assistant, 37, who claims they were in relationship & he was underpaid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/chinese-actress-75-sued-for-s-950-000-by-ex-assistant-37-who-claims",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-10T12:37:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/08/chinese-actress-sued-former-photography-assistant-38-years-her-junior-who-claims-they-lived-together-for-6-years/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing, aged 75, faces a lawsuit for 5.04 million Yuan (S$950,000) from her former assistant, Gu Ke, who is 38 years her junior. The dispute, documented by Lianhe Zaobao, alleges that the two were romantically involved and cohabited for six years. Gu claims their relationship began in 2015 when they started working together and that he moved into her home the following year.\n\nAccording to Gu, their cohabitation lasted six years and that he performed multiple roles beyond photography, including acting as her driver, housekeeper, and social media manager. He describes this arrangement as both a romantic relationship and a business partnership. Gu maintains that he was not a kept man and argues that his monthly salary of 10,000 Yuan (S$1,900) was not reasonable given the extent of his work. He seeks the shortfall in wages, along with overtime pay and interest.\n\nGu also claims that their relationship ended in 2021 after he was refused when he sought to borrow money to start a business. He further asserts that he was subsequently blocked and told to move out of the property. Liu Xiaoqing denies these allegations, stating that there was no romantic relationship or cohabitation, and that their arrangement was strictly employer and employee. She maintains that his wages were settled in full and accuses Gu of demanding a large sum without evidence. She has stated that she will not pay him a single cent.\n\nThe case is currently under court mediation, as reported by Zaobao.",
  "summary": "She denies there was any relationship and says she will not pay \"a single cent.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}