A 21-year-old female student in China is facing expulsion from Dalian Polytechnic University after a one-night encounter with a 37-year-old Ukrainian gamer. The incident has triggered widespread debate in China about privacy, gender discrimination, and the role of universities in students' personal lives.

What happened?

The student, known by her surname Li, reportedly met professional gamer Danylo Teslenko, who is widely recognized in the gaming world as “Zeus”. The two spent a night together, after which personal photos and videos were leaked online.

According to reports, Teslenko himself uploaded the content and allegedly referred to Li as an “easy girl”. Some of his fans further spread the material and even exposed Li’s full name and family background. Following the leak, several individuals contacted the university demanding action against Li. The thing which happened next surprised many people.

The University’s response

Instead of safeguarding the student's identity, the university publicly revealed her full name and accused her of “inappropriate interactions with foreigners,” claiming she had damaged the university’s image and national dignity.

This move sparked outrage online, with many criticizing the school’s decision. Critics argue that Li’s private life should not be the university’s concern, and that the punishment appears to be gender-biased.

Current status

Li has until September 7 to challenge the university’s decision, but she hasn’t appealed yet. Legal professionals say there is no clear legal basis for her expulsion. One lawyer noted that the university’s disciplinary rules don’t apply in her case, and several experts believe she should seek legal support.

Teslenko's side of the story

Teslenko has apologized for sharing the videos and denied calling Chinese women “easy”. He also dismissed claims that he is married, adding that some of his comments in Russian may have been misinterpreted.

Reactions on social media

Social media users across China are voicing support for Li, saying she is the true victim in this situation. Many are furious that her identity was revealed, while the man involved has faced little to no consequences.

Comparisons have been drawn to other cases involving men, such as “Uncle Red”—a man who pretended to be a woman online, had sexual encounters with men, recorded them without consent, and leaked the footage. Despite this, his identity was kept secret for a long time.

One user posted:“She’s the one who suffered the most. Her face was shared without consent. She was hunted online by strangers. Then her university made it worse by exposing her and trying to expel her. They all owe her an apology.”

The incident has led to serious discussions across China about how women are treated, the right to privacy, and whether educational institutions are fair in their disciplinary actions. Many are questioning why the focus has been on punishing the woman, while the man who shared the content faces no official action.