I can understand MC not being super smart. The MC can atleast be aware when something is fishy and when someone is trying to trick them. We can backstab Mei and refuse to bomb Long Chen, i think we can also encourage LC to fight Mei but I think it's kinda predetermined. Why can't we be more like this? I haven't played Mei route but I think there's no choice to be manipulative towards her just like she is towards MC? Correct me if I'm wrong. I wholeheartedly believe you can write and force the player to specific situations without dumbing them down, but I can understand it is sometimes needed as the reader is not the player. So if you have to do it, do it subtly. When such situations are needed, instead of making MC push the narrative, make others push the narrative towards MC. I'm sure it's easier for me say it from a readers perspective since I have no clue what outlines Niki has written for the story, but It just feels so patronizing when MC keeps doing dumb ****.