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Former CBA basketball player Liu Ziqi shocked fans by announcing his relationship with 37-year-old actress Zhang Yuqi on social media during New Year's Eve.
The couple posted affectionate photos, seemingly confirming their romance.
However, just a day later, entertainment media revealed that Zhang Yuqi's side had already declared them as "just friends."
The actress even referred to Liu Ziqi as "that man," avoiding his name altogether.
This unexpected breakup quickly sparked debates online.
Some netizens questioned the seriousness of the relationship, while others speculated that Liu Ziqi had been eager to go public, but Zhang Yuqi was not.
One comment joked, "Was this even a real relationship?" while another suggested, "Just a middle-aged actress wanting to experience life with a young athlete."
Others criticised the unnecessary public announcement, calling it childish.
Liu Ziqi, born on 21 February 1999 in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, is a 25-year-old Chinese basketball player.
Standing at 1.88 metres, he previously played as a point guard/shooting guard for Nanjing Tongxi.
While his professional basketball career has been widely discussed, his sudden and short-lived romance with Zhang Yuqi has now become a trending topic in Chinese entertainment circles.