In 1916, Lai was born in Wuzhou, Guangxi, China.
Lai debuted as a mother in Bride a la Mode, a 1952 comedy film directed by Chiang Wai-Kwong.
Lai's last film was The Iron Fisted Monk (Chinese: 三德和尚與舂米六), a 1977 martial arts film directed by Sammo Hung.
Lai's son is Lau Wing.
On April 4, 1983, Lai died in Hong Kong.