Mdm Lin used to study at Xinghua, with lessons taught in Hainanese. Being of Teochew origin, she was often teased by the Hainanese. She did not like being called red butt by them and requested her dad to enrol her into an English school instead but he did not allow. In the end, she ended up assisting her dad in his clothes making business. She learnt to sew and because her dad found her to be very smart, he did not marry her off first despite her being the eldest. Her siblings were all married with children but she was still helping out her dad with his business. She was adviced by her relatives and friends to stop helping her dad out as his business was not lucrative. So finally, she got married at the age of 35. As Mdm Lin has been used to working, she is still employed at this age as she does not like not having anything to do. She also prefers drinking coffee at home as it is cheaper.