Chinese actress, 75, sued for S$950,000 by ex-assistant, 37, who claims they were in relationship & he was underpaid

Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing is being sued for 5.04 million Yuan (S$950,000) by her former assistant, who alleges the two were romantically involved and lived together for six years.

Gu Ke, who is 38 years younger than the 75-year-old actress, filed the suit at Beijing's Chaoyang District People's Court, according to Lianhe Zaobao.

What he alleges

Gu says the two began a relationship after they started working together in 2015, and that he moved into her home the following year. He claims their cohabitation lasted six years, and that Liu called him "baby" during that time.

He says he took on multiple roles beyond photography, working as her driver, housekeeper and social media manager, and describes the arrangement as both a romantic relationship and a business partnership.

Gu maintains he was not a kept man, and argues that his salary of 10,000 Yuan a month (S$1,900) was not reasonable given the scope of the work. He is seeking the shortfall in wages, along with overtime pay and interest.

He also claims that the relationship broke down in 2021, after he was refused when he sought to borrow money to start a business. He claims he was then blocked and told to move out of the property.

Her response

Liu has denied his account.

She says there was no relationship and no cohabitation, and that theirs was strictly an employer and employee arrangement.

She maintains that his wages were settled in full with nothing outstanding.

She has accused Gu of demanding a large sum without evidence, and said she would not give him "a single cent."

The case is currently in court mediation, Zaobao reported.