Lai was uncompromising in his devotion to the dream of reviving the lacquer-ware craft. He slaved away day and night in his workshop, paying no attention to his family's financial needs. Many were the meals they skipped for lack of money.
賴作明滿懷復興漆文化的使命感，讓他夜以繼日埋首工作室，每日鑽研漆的各種技法，忘了出外謀生，忘了一家大小要靠他養活。