All right, the results were in.
The results were very close, to the point that I had to make a decision for myself. And the decision is this:
I'm taking both actions.
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
I'm leaving areas in which the 'universe' interferes as is, but reducing the amount in which it does so, and in the process clarifying why exactly I'm making it do so. I generally try not to change old chapters very much, but in this case, a whole lot of people were asking me to tone down the fourth-wall breaks.
Once again, thank you for your feedback, and have a great day.