He became one of Hong Kong's most successful television actors after starring in TVB hit drama series Rosy Business.

[citation needed] After graduating from TVB artistes' training program, he made his acting debut in 1986, playing supporting roles.

His performance as Chai Kau in the period drama Rosy Business received critical acclaim and earned him the TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor.

His breakthrough year was 2009 when Lai portrayed Chai Kau in the critically acclaimed period drama Rosy Business, starring opposite Sheren Tang.

Chai Kau became a Hong Kong pop culture icon and spawned the catchphrase "How many decades are in a lifetime?"

Over the years, Lai continues to call the role of Lau Sing as his favourite among all the characters he has played and considers it his representative work.

He portrays Kung Siu San in Lord of Shanghai, starring alongside Anthony Wong and Kent Tong.

Lai then starred in the period comedy Short End of the Stick, a series about the lives of eunuchs after the fall of the Qing dynasty.