Draft:Lin Qi Murder and the Netflix Adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem"

Lin Qi Murder and the Netflix Adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem"

Lin Qi was a prominent Chinese entrepreneur and billionaire who played a pivotal role in acquiring the rights to adapt the science fiction series "The Three-Body Problem" into various media formats. His vision was to transform the acclaimed literary work into a global phenomenon through multiple products, including a highly anticipated Netflix series.

Acquisition and Netflix Deal

With the ambition to expand the reach of "The Three-Body Problem," Lin Qi secured the adaptation rights and sought to collaborate with international partners. He successfully negotiated a deal with Netflix, marking a significant milestone in the project's development. To oversee the business aspects of this venture, Lin appointed Xu Yao, a lawyer with a distinguished background, as the CEO of Three-Body Universe (Shanghai) Cultural Development Co Ltd.

Salary Dispute and Demotion

Despite the initial success of the Netflix agreement, Xu Yao's performance in other business operations was deemed unsatisfactory. Consequently, Lin Qi decided to reduce Xu's salary from nearly $3 million to $750,000 and introduced additional executives to improve the company's performance. Xu retained his CEO title but was reportedly discontent with the salary cut and the perceived demotion. His frustration was exacerbated by the absence of his name as a producer in the Netflix adaptation, a credit he felt he deserved.

The Murder Plot

Motivated by a desire for revenge and seemingly influenced by the television series "Breaking Bad," Xu Yao embarked on a meticulous plan to murder Lin Qi. He went to great lengths to prepare for the crime, purchasing 160 phones and establishing a company in Japan to obtain the necessary chemicals. Xu tested these substances on animals to ensure their lethality. He then administered the poison to Lin and several colleagues, disguising the deadly agents as an advanced probiotic supplement.

Hospitalization and Investigation

Lin Qi ingested the poison unknowingly and was soon hospitalized. Medical professionals quickly recognized the signs of poisoning, but the exact toxins involved were not immediately identified. Shanghai police suspected Xu Yao of the crime, but he withheld information about the poisons, which included exotic substances such as tetrodotoxin from pufferfish and mercury, among others. His silence sealed Lin Qi's fate, as timely knowledge of the specific toxins could have potentially saved Lin's life.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

As the Netflix series premiered globally, Xu Yao faced legal consequences for his actions. He was sentenced to death for the murder of Lin Qi and the attempted murder of two other colleagues, who survived but sustained lifelong injuries. Lin Qi, who was 39 years old at the time of his death, was posthumously credited as an executive producer on the Netflix project.