Chinese tech tycoon Jack Ma made a rather notable appearance at an Alibaba event, only days after the company’s president reassured the world that Ma is not just “alive,” but also “happy.”

News broke out of Ma’s attendance at the Alibaba Global Mathematics Competition’s final held last Saturday in Hangzhou, the very city where Alibaba’s headquarters are situated. This development sheds some light on Ma’s current status, following his conspicuous retreat from public life.

Rewind to 2020 when Ma had ruffled feathers by critiquing Chinese regulators over thwarting Alibaba’s float plans. Since then, Ma’s public appearances became scarce, sparking wild speculations about his health and safety.

Earlier this year, Ma seemed to resurface in Thailand, where he was spotted dining at a restaurant in Bangkok. Social media buzz suggested that he had made his way back to Beijing in March, primarily to visit a private school under his patronage.

It seems Ma’s current career path is carving out a unique trajectory. He has embraced a teaching role at the University of Tokyo, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and food production. As per reports from Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post, Ma began his academic journey at the University by conducting his first class on June 12.

A statement reported by the newspaper relayed a positive sentiment about the class, saying students “engaged in a meaningful discussion with Professor Ma.”

So, what does life look like now for Jack Ma? Alibaba president Michael Evans shed some light on this during an interview with CNBC. “Well, first of all, Jack is alive. He’s well, he’s happy. He’s creative. He’s thinking. He’s teaching at a university in Tokyo, spending more time in China,” Evans shared.

All in all, it seems that Ma has transitioned from the high-octane world of tech entrepreneurship into a more academic and philosophical path, one that presents an intriguing shift for one of the tech world’s most prominent figures. Entrepreneurs and investors would do well to keep an eye on Ma’s journey, as it’s bound to have interesting lessons and insights.