The original Korean paragraph consists of 50 lines. I will translate it verbatim into English, maintaining the same number of lines in the translation.

Sarang stepped out of the company dinner for a moment.

Despite the cold wave warning, the night wind was biting.

She hadn’t drunk a single glass of alcohol, yet her head was spinning, and she felt nauseous.

“The person he wants to see.”

She murmured unknowingly, her nose tingling.

What could he possibly be thinking?

Why would I be the person Ji Dohan wants to see?

It wasn’t sincere, was it?

Wasn’t it just for fun, briefly dating a naive freshman like her?

Then, getting annoyed and abandoning her, only to act desperate now.

People really know how to torment others.

Just as Sarang decided to head back inside, Jiwoo called her.

“Hey, Jiwoo.”

[Dash] Hasn’t the dinner ended yet?

“Yeah, they’re still drinking.”

[Dash] You must be bored, not being able to drink.

Sarang looked down at her bandaged right hand.

She even thought it was a blessing that she had hurt her hand.

If she had sat opposite Dohan and drunk, she might have lost control of her emotions.

Perhaps she would have unleashed a torrent of insults without caring about others.

“Eventually, it will end.”

[Dash] Let me know when it’s wrapping up. Yunjae and I will come to get you.

“Forget it. Didn’t you tell Dohan that Yunjae was my boyfriend? And now both of you are coming?”

[Dash] Oh, right. That guy’s always a problem.

As Jiwoo defended her, Sarang let out a small laugh.

Friends really are irreplaceable.

[Dash] Should I just send Yunjae then?

“What?”

[Dash] Let Yunjae show up and pick you up, acting like your boyfriend.

Sarang gasped.

Even though they were long-time friends, sometimes she wondered what went on in Jiwoo’s head.

“Do you want to make your boyfriend mine too, after all that?”

[Dash] It’s because of Ji Dohan. You’re still…

Jiwoo started to say something, then sighed and closed her mouth.

[Dash] Anyway, call me when it’s about to end. Don’t take a taxi alone. Got it?

“Yeah, I got it.”

Jiwoo knew Sarang was afraid of taking taxis at night, so she insisted on the promise before hanging up.

“Ah… it’s cold.”

Sarang’s hand holding the phone felt frozen.

If only her heart were as cold.

Then she wouldn’t be affected by Dohan.

Why did her heart burn hot whenever she saw him?

After a long sigh, Sarang turned back toward where he was.

Returning to her seat, she saw Dohan sitting far away, called over by Dongsik, still drinking like water.

Dongsik, already drunk, was busy filling Dohan’s empty glass with his face flushed.

Wouldn’t he collapse at this rate?

Sarang looked at him worriedly when Na Young quietly approached her.

“Sarang, go home first. It’s hard with your hand like that.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll leave with everyone.”

She could have made any excuse to go home, but Sarang couldn’t take her eyes off Dohan.

He was a new male member of the team, so they seemed to be determined to make him drink.

With everyone drunk, no one would take care of him, and she wouldn’t feel at ease until she saw him safely home.
The original Korean paragraph consists of 50 lines. I will translate it verbatim into English, maintaining the same number of lines in the translation.

Sarang had told herself that her behavior was just the duty of a mentor.

“But is Assistant Manager Ji really okay? He must have drunk at least three bottles.”

“Three bottles?”

“Yeah. His tolerance must be extraordinary. How can he be so sober?”

Sarang and Na Young’s gaze turned to Dohan.

Despite having drunk so much, Dohan seemed perfectly fine, and the team members were encouraging him to drink more.

“He can’t be fine. I think he’s drunk.”

She remembered when he came to her house inebriated.

At first glance, he seemed no different from usual, but when drunk, he changed slightly.

Unlike normally, he would smile more relaxedly, resembling a carefree teenager.

Sarang knew these subtle differences, having secretly watched him since she had a crush on him.

“Really? Then Sarang can’t closely guard him tonight.”

“How can someone who can’t take care of themselves protect others? Drinking like that…”

Seeing Dohan drink again, Sarang frowned.

It seemed excessive, making her wonder if she should intervene.

Just then, Dongsik stood up.

“Let’s call it a night. We have to work tomorrow. Let’s go home early.”

It was past 10 PM, hardly early, but she was relieved it was ending.

As Dongsik left, the others followed suit.

“Let’s go. I’ll get us a taxi.”

Na Young always took responsibility for Sarang’s safe return after company dinners.

It was a tradition handed down since Na Young was the junior in the team.

“I’ll send Assistant Manager Ji off first. I am his mentor, after all.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Until now, mentors for new employees were of the same gender, causing no issues, but Dohan and Sarang were a special case, especially with alcohol.

No one dared to ask Sarang to take care of Dohan.