Executed Man Poisoned Billionaire Linked to Netflix’s ‘The Three-Body Problem’

Chinese authorities have executed Xu Yao, a man convicted of using poison to kill Lin Qi, founder of Yoozoo Games, over a professional dispute. The gaming tycoon was linked to the Netflix adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem,” a sci-fi trilogy by Liu Cixin that has been translated into more than 40 languages and adapted into various productions.

Xu, former head of a subsidiary of Yoozoo Games, poisoned Lin in 2020 after being sidelined by the founder. Xu was found guilty in 2024 and executed on May 21, as reported by Shanghai business magazine Yicai Global. The company confirmed the execution via Weibo social media platform.

The Three-Body Problem series has been immensely popular both in China and abroad, with Liu Cixin becoming the first Chinese writer to win the prestigious Hugo Award. Lin, ranked No. 870 among China’s richest entrepreneurs with a net worth of 6.8 billion yuan ($1 billion), died at age 39 after being poisoned by a cup of tea.

Several others became ill but recovered following the poisoning incident. The Shanghai High People’s Court did not immediately respond to requests for comment, as did Yoozoo Games.