LayarHijau – Since October 23, rumors have been spreading across Weibo that Zhao Lusi will be paired with rising actor Tian Xuning in the upcoming fantasy romance drama Inverted Fate (攻玉). The project is said to be one of Youku’s major IP titles, and the possibility of these two popular stars working together has instantly set the internet abuzz. Although no official announcement has been made by either the production team or the actors’ agencies, related hashtags quickly climbed Weibo’s trending charts.
The rumor has also reignited speculation about Zhao Lusi’s contract status. Some online discussions suggest that her rumored participation in a large-scale project like Inverted Fate could be proof that she has officially left her former agency, Galaxy Cool Entertainment, and joined Tiger Whale Entertainment — a new entertainment company backed by Alibaba.
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According to Chinese media reports, Zhao managed to terminate her contract with Galaxy Cool without paying a penalty. In exchange, she reportedly agreed to mentor new artists for two years, a condition that fans consider light and reasonable. Many believe the arrangement suits Zhao well, as she has long been known for supporting younger actors in the industry.
These rumors follow the immense success of Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼), Zhao Lusi’s recent hit with William Chan. The series topped viewership charts and was crowned “Drama of the Year,” restoring Zhao’s standing as one of China’s most bankable stars. However, the actress had previously revealed that she was once sidelined by Galaxy Cool for several months, receiving no new projects and suffering both mentally and physically as a result.
Her move to Tiger Whale Entertainment reportedly coincided with the company’s acquisition of Galaxy Cool, following Alibaba’s withdrawal of investment which left Galaxy in financial trouble. Under her new management, Zhao is said to have been offered two major projects — Inverted Fate, a historical fantasy romance, and another upcoming mystery drama yet to be revealed.
According to fan discussions, Inverted Fate is adapted from the popular novel by Ning Shan. It tells the story of Teng Yuyi (played by Zhao Lusi), the daughter of a military general who is tragically murdered and suddenly wakes up a year before her death. Armed with a mystical sword called the “Xiaoya Blade,” she sets out to uncover the truth behind her fate. Along the way, she crosses paths with Crown Prince Lin Chengyou (played by Tian Xuning). What begins as hostility between them soon evolves into a dangerous and fateful love story that transcends life and death.
Earlier, Inverted Fate was rumored to star Xiao Zhan and Sun Zhenni. However, after Sun Zhenni’s drama The Blossoming Love failed to perform well and her public image suffered due to cosmetic surgery rumors, the production reportedly decided to recast the leads.
If the Zhao Lusi–Tian Xuning pairing turns out to be true, it could become one of next year’s most anticipated collaborations. Tian Xuning recently gained widespread attention for his breakout role in Revenged Love (逆愛), while Zhao Lusi has proven her consistent box office and streaming appeal through numerous hit dramas, including The Story of Pearl Girl (珠簾玉幕), her last period project in 2023.
So far, neither Tiger Whale Entertainment nor Youku has released any official statement regarding the speculation. Fans, however, remain excited and continue to discuss the potential pairing online, even as others urge patience until an official confirmation is made.
