Chinese Man Executed for Poisoning Billionaire Game Developer Behind ‘Three-Body Problem’ Adaptation

China executed Xu Yao on May 21, 2026, for the 2020 murder of Lin Qi, the founder of Yoozoo Games and co-founder of The Three Body Universe, the production company behind the Netflix adaptation of Liu Cixin’s acclaimed science fiction trilogy The Three-Body Problem. The execution, confirmed by Chinese state media, coincided with the release of the streaming platform’s series based on the globally popular work.

The Crime and Trial

Xu Yao, who had previously served as CEO of Yoozoo Games, was convicted of poisoning Lin Qi with toxic substances in food items on December 14 and 15, 2020. Lin, 39 at the time, died 10 days later. A Shanghai court ruled the murder premeditated, citing a management dispute between the two men. Xu was also found responsible for poisoning four other employees, though none died.

The case gained notoriety due to its timing: Lin Qi’s murder occurred shortly after Yoozoo finalized a deal with Netflix to adapt The Three-Body Problem, which had already become a cultural phenomenon in China and internationally. The Netflix series premiered in 2024, just as Xu’s trial concluded in 2024, leading to speculation about the “incredible synchronicity” of the events.

Impact on the Adaptation

Lin Qi’s death marked a pivotal moment for the adaptation of Liu Cixin’s work. The Three Body Universe, the production company he founded, released a statement following the execution, stating, “Finally, justice has been done. We deeply mourn Mr. Lin Qi and extend our sincere condolences to his family.” The company emphasized its commitment to advancing Chinese science fiction, aiming to “lead the industry, open new eras, and spread globally.”

The Three-Body Problem, published in 2008, has sold over 11 million copies worldwide, with more than 7 million in China. The trilogy, which earned Liu Cixin the 2015 Hugo Award, became a global sensation, with U.S. Former President Barack Obama praising it as “wildly imaginative.” The Netflix adaptation, however, faced criticism for deviating from the source material, particularly among Chinese fans.

Financial and Cultural Significance

Lin Qi, a member of China’s wealthiest individuals in 2018, had an estimated net worth of 6.8 billion yuan ($869 million). The value of the intellectual property rights for The Three-Body Problem skyrocketed after Lin acquired them in 2018. In a 2023 interview, Liu Cixin noted that the rights’ value had increased “at least 300 times” over a decade, a figure that underscored the meteoric rise of Chinese science fiction as a global industry.

The adaptation’s success has spurred additional projects, including a 2023 Chinese version by Tencent and a film directed by Zhang Yimou. The Netflix series, while controversial, remains